Computer won't boot
I restarted my computer today and I got a message to "insert the proper boot disk". I tried the following without success:
Turned off unplugged rebooted.
Inserted Windows 7 Pro 64 bit install disk and tried repair startup - no operating system was found - repair was unsuccessful - tried checking memory but got a message sayin it could not be checked.
Moved the HDD to a different computer - it booted to the starting windows screen - it didn't continue to boot presumably because the hardware is completely different - however it did find the operating system.
Performed check disk on the drive and found no errors.
Tried booting from a previous system drive that was cloned to increase the size of the system drive. Same failure to boot.
The PC keyboard stopped working and prevented access to the BIOS. Substituted USB keyboard and regained access. System drive is recognized by the BIOS but does not appear on the list of boot devices.
System is custom built with the following:
i5 Asus P7P55D-E Premium MB
8 GB RAM
WB 1TB 7200 System Drive
1.5 TB Data Drive
RAID
Turned off unplugged rebooted.
Inserted Windows 7 Pro 64 bit install disk and tried repair startup - no operating system was found - repair was unsuccessful - tried checking memory but got a message sayin it could not be checked.
Moved the HDD to a different computer - it booted to the starting windows screen - it didn't continue to boot presumably because the hardware is completely different - however it did find the operating system.
Performed check disk on the drive and found no errors.
Tried booting from a previous system drive that was cloned to increase the size of the system drive. Same failure to boot.
The PC keyboard stopped working and prevented access to the BIOS. Substituted USB keyboard and regained access. System drive is recognized by the BIOS but does not appear on the list of boot devices.
System is custom built with the following:
i5 Asus P7P55D-E Premium MB
8 GB RAM
WB 1TB 7200 System Drive
1.5 TB Data Drive
RAID
Can you afford to reinstall on the prior drive? Insert the prior drive, load the Windows 7 DVD, delete all partitions, format, install Windows 7. Does it work?
It would appear you may have a hardware fault, but I am not certain what. Is your RAID software or hardware?
.... Thinkpads_User
It would appear you may have a hardware fault, but I am not certain what. Is your RAID software or hardware?
.... Thinkpads_User
Another thing to be alert to is that if you have software RAID, the repair procedure could have interefered with that causing the no boot.
I still suggest a fresh install on a fresh disk (prior disk) as a first step in this particular problem determination.
.... Thinkpads_User
I still suggest a fresh install on a fresh disk (prior disk) as a first step in this particular problem determination.
.... Thinkpads_User
Go to ubuntu.com and make a bootable linux CDROM or USB. Don't install the O/S, just see if it boots. That will eliminate hardware as root cause, so then efforts can be focused on windows issues.
The Windows 7 DVD already started so that part seems OK. .... Thinkpads_User
The DVD isn't a great test, as it doesn't look at multiple CPUs. the ubuntu disk also has a good memory test you can boot from.
ASKER
I have booted from a Clonezilla Live ubuntu disk and it recognized the disk as a cloneable source. I will create a regular ubuntu disk for further tests. I also suspect the problem may be with the sata controller. I plan to install an add-on controller tomorrow to test. I will also add a new hard drive and try a fresh Win 7 install to see if that works.
ASKER
1. I downloaded and created an ubuntu boot disk. I was able to boot successfully and read the System Drive which seemed fine.
2. I attempted a new installation of Windows 7 (not an upgrade version) on a drive that did not have a previous operating system that had 611 GB of free space. Althought the primary partition was shown in the box and selected, I got a message saying "Setup was unable to create a new system partition or locate an existing system partition. See the Setup log files for more information." Of course there are no Setup log files.
2. I attempted a new installation of Windows 7 (not an upgrade version) on a drive that did not have a previous operating system that had 611 GB of free space. Althought the primary partition was shown in the box and selected, I got a message saying "Setup was unable to create a new system partition or locate an existing system partition. See the Setup log files for more information." Of course there are no Setup log files.
It would look like you have something wrong with the drive controller. An Ubuntu (or other) boot disk does not need the drive controller to work. I am not sure about it seeing the System Drive (that is, I am not sure about it needing the driver controller to see the system drive).
... Thinkpads_User
... Thinkpads_User
ASKER
3. I attempted to install Windows 7 on a new formated hard drive with the same results noted previously.
4. RAID is hardware add-on controller with four 1.5 TB drives. It does not seem to be an issue.
4. RAID is hardware add-on controller with four 1.5 TB drives. It does not seem to be an issue.
ASKER
Thanks. Tomorrow I will purchase and install a new controller to see if it solves the problem. If so, I will replace the MB. If notl, I will probably have to replace it anyway unless someone has a better idea.
How much can I change the hardware and still boot with the original disk which has all of my software installed. Reinstalling it takes several days as well as possible reauthorization issues.
How much can I change the hardware and still boot with the original disk which has all of my software installed. Reinstalling it takes several days as well as possible reauthorization issues.
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ASKER
This was a very frustrating problem and I tried all of the suggestions. This morning I tried checking the BIOS again and found that the hard drive was listed as drive 2 and the RAID as drive 1. I changed the hard drive to drive 1. On reboot I got a different error message saying that boot errors were found and to run repairs from the installation CD (which I had tired unsuccessfully before). This time repair operation ran and I was able to successfully reboot. I am still not sure exactly what was wrong or what actions caused the repair to be successful. Thanks to all for your assistance.
tx for feedback
great feedback comments thanks for awarding points fairly
ASKER
Repair-Details.jpg
Failed-to-Save-Options.jpg
Cannot-Check-Memory.jpg