Messages

1

General Computer Support / Re: Laptop gets stuck at Starting Windows sign (Win7)

« on: March 04, 2016, 02:32:56 am »

Did the chkdsk report any KBs in bad sectors ?

Nope. At this point I think it's just my hdd is failing/failed and needs a replacement.

BTW - What are you using to download and post on ?

My main current laptop. The one I'm trying to fix broke down last year and I never really bothered since it's quite low spec, but now was wondering if I could get it fixed rather than throw it all away. I had a warranty on it back then, but now the warranty's expired so that doesn't leave me with many options.

2

General Computer Support / Re: Laptop gets stuck at Starting Windows sign (Win7)

« on: March 03, 2016, 09:11:35 pm »

How did you manage to run a chkdsk if it won't boot up to anything ?

Well I ran chkdsk via Hirens BootCD (ran it on the 3 partitions of that laptop). Unless I'm misunderstanding something, I believe the chkdsk was checking that laptop's hdd.

3

General Computer Support / Re: Laptop gets stuck at Starting Windows sign (Win7)

« on: March 03, 2016, 11:51:38 am »

I ran chkdsk, no problems, there were some errors but passed everything without a problem.

Then I ran Victoria 4.46b (HDD info/test programme) and got 6 warnings and 4 errors:

- Warning! Block start at 26913024 - 234ms
- Block 96378624 Error: ABRT
- Block 96384000 Error: ABRT
- Block 129252864 Error: ABRT
- Block 129263616 Error: ABRT
- Warning! Block start at 129265152 = 219ms
- Warning! Block start at 129266944 = 234ms
- Warning! Block start at 129274368 = 235ms
- Warning! Block start at 129282816 = 219ms

I'm going to google around a bit and see what this mean and how (if) I can fix it. If you know, do let me know.

I then ran Defraggler and everything was fine except the following:

Reallocated Sectors Count - Real Value (561) - Current (129) - Worst (129) - Threshold (140) - Raw Value (0x000000000231)

4

General Computer Support / Re: Laptop gets stuck at Starting Windows sign (Win7)

« on: March 03, 2016, 04:32:16 am »

From the couple I've checked so far, they would seem to point to a failing HDD.

Try the Hiren's Boot Disk Test Disk feature for confirmation, but I think that contacting Dell Support will confirm.

Thank you, will do. Appreciate the help.

5

General Computer Support / Re: Laptop gets stuck at Starting Windows sign (Win7)

« on: March 03, 2016, 04:00:49 am »

Did you run the first 4 options in the Boot Corrector section ?

Actually only Windows install to correct, Correct MBR and Correct boot parameters. I'm not sure how to run the fix sectors part.

Btw I just ran the System Assessment tests (seems like I was being too optimistic), and I got fails for the following:

- PRIMARY_BATTERY_BAY (3600:0852)
- DISK - HDD error (0F00:133E)
- DISK - HDD error (0F00:063E)
- DISK - HDD error (0F00:123E)
- DISK - No suitable disk media present (0F00:133C)

If running those stills fail to resolve, there is another utility you can download and that is Hiren's Boot Disk.

If you think I should still give this a try after the diagnostic test results above, then I will.

6

General Computer Support / Re: Laptop gets stuck at Starting Windows sign (Win7)

« on: March 03, 2016, 03:16:00 am »

However, a Paragon Rescue Disk may do it for you which can repair the boot sector. - https://www.paragon-software.com/home/rk-free/

From the menu, use the Safe Mode Boot option as I've found that I can only get the repair menu on one of my Win 7 laptops while in that mode, whereas it works fine when I leave it to boot in the default normal mode on the other machine.

Did this, loaded fine into the Paragon Rescue kit on the laptop, carried out the boot correction function. Checked around, can see my old hdd (Recovery C:, DATAPART1 D:, OS E:, CD Drive F: and the usb I plugged in PARAGON G:) - this means the hdd is still working correct?

Then shutdown, took out the usb and rebooted.
Still takes me to Windows Error Recovery (clicking on Startup Repair option loads some files and then takes me back to WER screen). So I clicked Normal Start, and once again it hangs on the Starting Windows logo (by hang I don't mean it gets stuck stuck, I mean the logo still moves/vibrates but it doesn't get past this phase).

7

General Computer Support / Re: Laptop gets stuck at Starting Windows sign (Win7)

« on: March 02, 2016, 09:36:55 pm »

You should have more options than that - what happens when you launch startup repair ?

Loads some windows files (the loading bar at the bottom of the screen) and then comes back to the windows error recovery screen.

I'll try to get a recovery dvd from somewhere. Is there no way to make a recovery usb without having to first create the recovery dvd? I'm asking because I'm travelling currently (and will be for a while) and don't have access to a dvd-rw or empty dvds.

(If there is any way to download the recovery programme, copy it onto my usb so that I can just stick it in and do it that way)

8

General Computer Support / Re: Laptop gets stuck at Starting Windows sign (Win7)

« on: March 02, 2016, 11:08:04 am »

Boot up into the advanced boot options usually by tapping F8 as you switch on, but this key can vary with computer models and select Last Known Good Configuration and press enter.

Gets stuck at the Starting Windows logo.

If that doesn't do it then boot back up into the advanced boot options and select Repair your Computer and navigate to the Windows Recovery Environment (WRE) and select Startup Repair.

Here I'm a little confused - when I select Repair your Computer in advanced boot it loads the files, but then it takes me to the Windows Error Recovery screen (2x options, launch startup repair, or start windows normally).

So since I can't even load WRE what does that mean? What are my options now.

9

General Computer Support / Laptop gets stuck at Starting Windows sign (Win7)

« on: March 02, 2016, 06:52:07 am »

Hi guys, one of my laptops has recently started acting up.

Laptop: Dell 15R
OS: Windows 7 Home

- When I boot it, it takes me to 'Start in Safe Mode' selection screen
- When I select Safe Mode it loads some files and then just brings me back to the same selection screen. No matter how many times I select Safe Mode it keeps coming back.
- If I select Start Normally, loading gets stuck on the Starting Windows logo screen.

- If I leave my laptop on for a while (with the startup logo running), I get a BSOD with the following msg: bad system config info

Some things to note:

- My battery may have run it's course, I have to keep the charger plugged in at all times (also, I booted my laptop without battery, just charger connected and same issue).

Can anyone recommend what I do, what the issue may be?