Vista Boot Problem

[geoff]

Hi,

 

I have a Maxdata PC Favorit 3000 M12 bought in March 2007, running Vista Home Premium 32 bit. Except it won't start Vista. When the PC boots it says it didn't shut down correctly. When I choose Safe or Normal Mode it gets to the Microsoft copyright screen with the green bar going left to right then screen goes blank, except for the mouse icon.

 

Problem started when power was cut while running. When I restarted it said there were disk problems. I created a repair disk and ran 'Repair Your Computer - Startup Repair' which found and repaired problems, but it still failed to start Vista. Startup Repair now says it finds no problems.

 

System Restore says I have no restore points (I thought Vista created these automatically).

 

Windows Complete Restore is not an option (only back up data files)

 

Memory test reports no problems.

 

I haven't tried full reinstall as son doesn't want to lose stuff he has on there, unless he has to.

 

No new hardware has been installed since I got it.

 

CPU Core 2 Duo E6300 1.86GHz

HDD SATA II 250Gb Samsung SP2504C

 

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

Geoff:confused:

[Dalo Harkin]

Hi,

 

I have a Maxdata PC Favorit 3000 M12 bought in March 2007, running Vista Home Premium 32 bit. Except it won't start Vista. When the PC boots it says it didn't shut down correctly. When I choose Safe or Normal Mode it gets to the Microsoft copyright screen with the green bar going left to right then screen goes blank, except for the mouse icon.

 

Problem started when power was cut while running. When I restarted it said there were disk problems. I created a repair disk and ran 'Repair Your Computer - Startup Repair' which found and repaired problems, but it still failed to start Vista. Startup Repair now says it finds no problems.

 

System Restore says I have no restore points (I thought Vista created these automatically).

 

Windows Complete Restore is not an option (only back up data files)

 

Memory test reports no problems.

 

I haven't tried full reinstall as son doesn't want to lose stuff he has on there, unless he has to.

 

No new hardware has been installed since I got it.

 

CPU Core 2 Duo E6300 1.86GHz

HDD SATA II 250Gb Samsung SP2504C

 

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

Geoff:confused:

 

Hi George,

 

 

Do you get an option saying 'last known good configuration' try that and see what happens - failing that do you know how to get into the BIOS?

[geoff]

No. I get the Windows Error Recovery screen with options to start in Safe Mode (or with Networking or Command Prompt) or Start Windows Normally. I know how to access the BIOS Setup Utility. I tried disabling USB, HD Audio Controller, Onboard PCIEX GbE LAN without effect. SAFE Mode loads Windows Files up to crcdisk.sys then hangs,

[Dalo Harkin]

No. I get the Windows Error Recovery screen with options to start in Safe Mode (or with Networking or Command Prompt) or Start Windows Normally. I know how to access the BIOS Setup Utility. I tried disabling USB, HD Audio Controller, Onboard PCIEX GbE LAN without effect. SAFE Mode loads Windows Files up to crcdisk.sys then hangs,

 

Have you re-enabled the USB and AUDIO etc and then saved and exit - these alone could cause the hang at the windows bar page -

also if you have more than one stick of RAM try taking one out.

[geoff]

I had re-enabled USB, Audio and LAN, then saved and exited. I confirmed this next time it restarted. I removed one DDR boards. no effect. Then put it back and removed the other. No effect. Then repeated with USB, Audio and LAN disabled. No effect. Thanks for your help though.

[Dalo Harkin]

I dont think it would help at this point but you could try a BIOS reset by popping the CMOS battery out for a few minutes -

The prognosis doesnt seem good though and I would recommend that you buy another HDD and install yous OS on it and then 'slave' the drive that has the info on so that you do not lose it.

[geoff]

Removing the CMOS battery didn't make any difference, except it prompted me to use the default BIOS config. Next step is to get a replacement drive. I'll let you know how I get on.

 

Thanks for your help.

 

Geoff

[Dalo Harkin]

Ok - please let us know when you have an update :)

[geoff]

Got the new HDD and the BIOS recognises it OK. But turns out what I thought was an install CD is just a repair disk. When I click on Install is says it can't find d:\sources\install.wim which is fair enough because it's not there. Do I have to buy a copy of Vista to replace the one I got pre-installed?

[Seth]

You're going to need a Vista installation DVD. Provided you have a valid Vista product key, then either the computer manufacturer or Microsoft will send you one for free, or at a small charge. However, If i was in your situation, I'd just borrow a Vista DVD from someone else.

[RandyL]

geoff your best bet is to purchase the DVD's. Check with the manufacturer as you may be able to get it cheap there. This way you will always have it should you need it again.

[geoff]

Just a word to say I'm up and running again with the new HDD. Found a Vista DVD to install. Can't access the original HDD. The BIOS recognises it OK and I can see it in Explorer but get 'Access Denied' when I click on it. I guess the disk as trashed and useless, unless anyone can suggest a way to recover it.

 

Thanks everyone for your help and advice. It was much appreciated.

 

Geoff

[Seth]

This should take care of that problem:

 

How to take ownership of a file or a folder in Windows XP

[geoff]

Thanks Seth, that was all it took to resolve my problem

 

Regards

 

Geoff

[Seth]

You're welcome Geoff.

 

Please feel free to post with any further issues.