Asus laptop won't boot in Windows 7

kdlmoore2000 · Feb 9, 2016

My husband had shutdown the laptop per usual. When I tried to turn it on, it went to a black screen only giving me two options 1. Launch repair or 2. Start normally

I tried to start normally several times, but it keeps looping back to the same black screen. When I try to launch repair, none of the options work. It doesn't list my operating system and I can't restore. I've searched all day for a solution. Several folks said to use the command prompt to type "c:" after the X:\windows\system 32> prompt, but I get a message saying "the request could not be performed because of an I/O device error"

I can't boot into safe mode. Pressing the F8 key does nothing.

I'm at a complete loss and fear I've lost valuable information. My laptop didn't come with a Windows 7 installation disc. I'm now left with my iPad, that doesn't have a USB port for downloading repairs.

I'd be so grateful if anyone had suggestions for me. Thank you so much.

Prostar Computer · Feb 9, 2016

Hi kdlmoore2000.

If the repair options aren't listing your installation of Windows, it could be that critical Windows files are missing or damaged, resulting in the repair functions not being able to detect Windows in the first place.

You mentioned trying command line tools at the command prompt. If you can get back to that prompt, give the following commands a try:

bootrec.exe /FixMbr

If that doesn't work, try:

bootrec.exe /FixBoot

Finally:

bootrec.exe /RebuildBcd

If none of those work, you may be stuck with having to reinstall Windows - which would mean you'd need to download it and create bootable media, or you would need to purchase a copy of it. You may still be able to get to your data, but you will need to physically access the drive and remove it from the machine to do so - or have some knowledge of/experience with Linux Live environments.

Let us know how you fare! Hopefully one of said commands helps.

mcnumpty23 · Feb 9, 2016

rule number 1 always have a minimum of 2 back ups of important data flash drives are dirt cheap

your laptop will have a hidden recovery partition to factory reset it how to use that depends who makes your laptop

do not run that though if you need data recovered first as it will wipe everything

as said physically removing the hard drive to connect it to a pc or usb to recover data may be needed or a live linux usb to copy data of the hard drive

assuming the hard drive isnt faulty of course

kdlmoore2000 · Feb 9, 2016

Prostar Computer :

Thank you so much for the reply! I am so grateful!

I followed your suggestions, and tried using the command prompt again.

When I open the command prompt, it starts with "X:\windows\system32>"

So I tried typing bootrec.exe/FixMbr after that. So it looked like:
X:\windows\system32>bootrec.exe/FixMbr the next line came up~
"The operation completed successfully"

I wasn't sure what to do next, so I exited out after that and hit "restart". The computer tried to restart, but went back to the black repair screen. I launched repair again, got back into the command prompt and tried the next one on your list ~ bootrec.exe/FixBoot, and it said the same thing. So, before exiting out, I tried the bootrec.exe/RebuildBcd, and it said it was scanning all disks for Windows Installations. It successfully scanned, but said:
Total identified Windows installations: 0

I hope I followed your instructions accurately. Any idea why it would work one minute perfectly fine, then have this problem the next?

Thanks again for taking your valuable time to help. It's so incredibly kind of you!!

kdlmoore2000 · Feb 9, 2016

Thank you, mcnumpty23, for taking your time. Indeed, I should've backed up important information. I have pictures, which I save, but I usually wait until I have several to upload to an external drive. The real doozie is my professional continuing Ed. proof of hours. I was pressed for time, and didn't get a chance to back them up because we moved. Also, it's the things like saving what's in your "Favorites". I don't even know how to back up that information? So I'm praying somehow this can be found and saved. I'm definitely the poster child of "what not to do"!Thanks again for the suggestions, I appreciate your advice.

mcnumpty23 · Feb 9, 2016

Total identified Windows installations: 0 isnt a great sign

but as long as the hard drive is physically alright then yes your stuff is recoverable one way or another

if you could go back to the command prompt

and try sfc /scannow or may have to use sfc /scannow /offbootdir=d:\ /offwindir=d:\windows as may not be an administrative command prompt in repair and theres a space after the sfc and C sometimes becomes D in repair so thats why the command may need the d:

can also try chkdsk /f

again may need to specify a drive letter or may not if so chkdsk /f C: or chkdsk /f D: again the spaces are important

last one is chkdsk /r you could skip chkdsk /f and go straight to r but r option will take much longer

Prostar Computer · Feb 10, 2016

kdlmoore2000 :

Hi again!

It sounds like you followed it to a tee. Very well done! Unfortunately, it seems the command lines I gave you aren't able to get you back into your desktop successfully. I'm sorry, kdlmoore2000!

That said, you may still be able to access your user data, but it does not sound like you will be able to use Windows again until you reinstall it. You can try one of two things to get to your data, at least:

1. Create a Linux Live disk. This is kind of technical, but you seem like you're fairly comfortable with exploring technical things.

With a Linux Live USB drive, you might be able to browse your folders in Windows, if they are still accessible (if they're not, it likely won't help to try my other suggestion). From here, you just need something to backup your data to.

Here's a rundown on using a Linux Live disk: http

/www.ubuntu.com/download/desktop/create-a-usb-stick-on-windows

2. Use an IDE/SATA to USB adapter. You can find these online for right around $15. They allow you to connect your computer's internal hard drive to another computer via a USB connection. You can then browse the contents of the drive, and backup any data that you can access. Note that you need another computer/device to connect the hard drive to.

Tough break, kdlmoore. I hope you're able to at least retrieve your data. I wonder what happened to your Windows install.

zer0c00l587 · Feb 10, 2016

I would have went with linux solution first, however all tips were great anyway, other extreme option would be to remove the hard drive and connect as a slave drive on a desktop and get the files that way, probably repair as well.

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Asus laptop won't boot in Windows 7

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