zeus1356 :
thor220 :
If the computer fails to boot into windows you should always first try safe mode. If that doesn't work inserting the windows install media and running a repair fixes most software issues.
If you want to isolate hardware issues you need to unplug all your hard drives (except the boot drive), peripherals, CD Drives, and everything else except for 1 stick of RAM, the CPU, and the 24 pin power connector and 4 / 8 pin voltage connector. You would then boot the computer and for each successful boot plug in another component. You should only do this after the software tips above have been taken care of.
I doesnt get to the point to choose safe mode. Also, i dont have the Windows boot disk anymore. Is there any alternative i could download the boot the PC from a USB? I would prefer to use some type of Windows USB boot disk. Not sure if there is a free download for a utility that could help me repair Windows 7 from the startup screen.
Disclaimer: All of this is legal and requires product keys for both download and activation.
Oooh hoo ho, yeah you're going into backwoods territory there buddy. I had to break an arm and a leg for a windows 7 ISO having lost my product key just the other week.
Here's what I can tell you about obtaining one if you so desire to put it on a usb:
You need to get a windows key from someone who also built a pc (must be a self-built pc, not a dell or OEM pc).
This windows key from them will unlock the windows 7 ISO, which you load unto a usb using the "
Windows 7 USB DVD Download Tool" from Microsoft's website . The trick here is that the person you get the key from needs to trust you enough to only use the key for the download and not the activation. So yeah mutual trust.
You get the ISO from
here once you obtain a windows key.
With the key, you can reinstall windows or repair I assume. You will not be able to activate with that key, as that is stealing. You would only hope that the repair fixes your problem and you can move on with your day.
**OR** this can all be avoided by simply installing
Ubuntu (a nice linux distribution) onto a USB and booting off of that.