Hi,

A friend of mine has windows 7 on their computer, the system keeps going to launch startup repair or start windows normally, it doesn't matter which option he does as it simply takes them back to that page.

I have repaired the startup once before using the windows disc but this issue seems to keep coming back.

Any help on this?

Thanks

I had this happen to a laptop at my day job last week. I determinied it was a bad motherboard. The system would not take a new image. I could randomly get past the black screen you mentioned. I booted into a Linux live O/S and ran a disk utility and seen a SMART error, something about temperature, can't remember now. Anyhow, it's a new Dell E5520 we just deployed this year and Dell will be coming onsite this coming week to fix it. We have the 3 year warranty on these new laptops.

Sounds like a bad hard drive, always test the hard drive when you have issues with Windows not booting.

Rafael Garces

Rule out hardware first. Boot to a linux live distro and punch aroung on it a little. If that is ok then run a disk drive test, memory test, video card test, and power supply test. If Ok try last know good. Then chkdsk c: /r. The main point is to make sure the hardware is good. Now run MSdart for windows 7 and restore the registry back to a time when it was running OK. Also use the other tools on the MSdart disc. Here is a link on how to use the disc: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U120Ycbo5RU
Anyway this will get you on your way.

First things first, you have to check the hard drive.

Hi,

Test the Hard Drive and the RAM for any issues.

Use a Linux or WinPE distro to recover any data you can before you attempt any hard drive repairs.

CHKDSK /R is an excelent way to lose data as this will force the drive to swap out bad sectors for good ones but does NOT recover data if there are read errors.

Regards

Simon

Hi, thanks for all your response.

I have done a hard drive check and it works fine with no issues, I have done the ram test, again no issues. It is literally at the point of turning the computer on, it actually doesn't turn on at all, I would like to assume it is the PSU or the MB, but every now and again it will turn on.

They have decided to take out the extended warranty for the item to get it sorted out now as I have advised them it will be more than likley the MB capicitors (as read from a few places and the DELL website).

Again, thanks for all your help with this