Windows Fails To Boot, Hard Drive damaged?

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Andrew Orzechowicz

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Jun 2, 2015
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Hi, my situation may require some background, so I'll try my best. I got a pre-built PC about 5 years ago which came with Windows 7 already on it. As of a few weeks ago I spilled water on it (yeah I'm an idiot let's move on) but I was due for an upgrade anyway so I built a new system. To try and save as much money as possible I didn't get a new HDD because I would also have to get a new copy of windows which is quite pricey. The water spill was near the back of the computer, on the PSU and GPU, so I thought the HDD would be fine. After I built my new system using the same HDD and the same Windows 7, the machine fails to boot. A BSOD blinks for a millisecond so I can't read the error code, then tries to boot again. I've tried the startup repair, which just endlessly loops, as does the "Windows is loading files". I cannot boot into safe mode either, I get the same BSOD flash for a second. Is my HDD fried? What are my options? Thanks.


EDIT: System restore and boot to previous working configuration have failed as well
 
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if the legacy boot option in the BIOS didn't solve the problem, then I have to agree that new motherboard is just too different. If you are able to get an upgrade version of Windows 10, then you will need a working computer to create a bootable USB key or a bootable DVD-R. Then you install from the USB key or DVD.

Does your previous motherboard work? it might be possible to boot the old motherboard. Install the new chipset driver and then switch back to the new motherboard. The problem I see is that most chipset drivers detect the hardware prior to installing and won't install.

if you have important data on the harddrive, then the best option is to buy a USB enclosure for the harddrive, buy a new harddrive, and a new windows...
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stancilmor

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Jan 22, 2013
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You harddrive is likely fine. The problem is that the new system is significantly different from the original system and the drivers for the previous system are not compatible with the new hardware...the best option I have is to try change the motherboard boot settings from UEIF secure boot to legacy boot. UEIF secure boot is a Windows feature for 8, 8,1 and 10; it isn't compatible with Windows 7. Hopefully your motherboard lets you turn off UEIF secure boot and select legacy boot. Try pressing DEL, F2, F8, F9, F11, F12, etc to enter BIOS.
 
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Andrew Orzechowicz

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Jun 2, 2015
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4,520


I did not use the free upgrade. If I did call, how would I install it onto my PC?
 
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stancilmor

Distinguished
Jan 22, 2013
11
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18,525
if the legacy boot option in the BIOS didn't solve the problem, then I have to agree that new motherboard is just too different. If you are able to get an upgrade version of Windows 10, then you will need a working computer to create a bootable USB key or a bootable DVD-R. Then you install from the USB key or DVD.

Does your previous motherboard work? it might be possible to boot the old motherboard. Install the new chipset driver and then switch back to the new motherboard. The problem I see is that most chipset drivers detect the hardware prior to installing and won't install.

if you have important data on the harddrive, then the best option is to buy a USB enclosure for the harddrive, buy a new harddrive, and a new windows license. Install your old harddrive in the USB enclosure an set it aside. Install the new harddrive, install windows, on the new harddrive. Once everything is up at running, then you can use the USB enclosure to access the data on your old harddrive.
 
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