Windows 7 Boot Problems

[Feraw]

Yesterday my computer was working perfectly fine, but when I turned it on today it was unable to boot Windows. The two options on bootup are "Launch Startup Repair" and "Start Windows Normally", but both options go to System Recovery Options. Startup Repair cannot automatically fix the boot problem and gives the error "StartupRepairOffline" when it's run. The operating systems list is blank when I try System Image Recovery. System Restore also does not work. Memory diagnostics did not find problems when it was ran. The computer identifies the operating system as "Unknown on Unknown Local Disk" on the System Recovery Options menu. I am running Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit OS. I am hoping for an alternate solution to reinstalling Windows from the original disc.

Thanks in advance for any help.

[Shinma]

... The computer identifies the operating system as "Unknown on Unknown Local Disk" on the System Recovery Options menu. I am running Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit OS. I am hoping for an alternate solution to reinstalling Windows from the original disc...

If data cable is secure,
Re-installing Windows 7 is the least of your problems.
That error is typically associated with hard drive failure and/or controller failure.
If not done so already,
Run a hard drive diagnostic software.

[SpywareDr]

1. Check to see if the hard drive is recognized (listed) in the CMOS/BIOS Setup.
   
   If it is, go to step 2 below.
   
   If not, go to step 3.
   
   
2. Run the appropiate Hard Drive Manufacture's Diagnostics:
   • ExcelStore
   • Fujitsu
   • Hitachi/IBM
   • Samsung
   • Seagate, Maxtor, Quantum
   • Toshiba
   • Western Digital
     
     Note: If you don't know who the hard drive manufacturer is, try running the Seagate diags. It works with many hard drives.
   
   If it passes the diagnostic test, skip step 3.
   
   
3. Ontrack, Flashback Data and DriveSavers are three well-known companies that can attempt to retreive files off of a 'dead' hard drive. Pricing typically runs between a few hundred to a couple of thousand dollars (US).

Let us know what you find out ...

[Feraw]

I used an Ubuntu boot disk to copy the files I needed from my hard drive and I was ready to reinstall Windows 7, but there was an error when I tried. When the install disk ran setup it gave the message about a missing CD/DVD device driver, and would not continue with the install. The hard drive works fine when in Ubuntu and the files copied from it work as well.

[Shinma]

List complete specifications of the system in question.
Include brand and complete model of the components/system.

[Feraw]

CyberPower PC
INTEL I7-3820 3.6 GHZ 10M LGA
500GB SATA III 6GB/s 7200RPM 16MB CACHE HD
KINGSTON HYPER-X 4 4 GB DDR3/ 1600 MHZ
BLACK LG 24X DVDRW
12-IN-ONE INTERNAL CARD READER
ASUS P9X79 INTEL X79 QUAD CROSSFIRE/3 WAY SLI SATA 3 USB 3.0 LGA 2011
USB 3.0 INTERNAL HUB 4 PORT
XTREMEGEAR 800 WATT POWER SUPPLY
AMD RADEON 7950 3GB DDR5 PCI-E 3.0
EDIMAX IEEE 802.11B/G/N 150MBPS WIRELESS
WINDOWS 7 PROFESSIONAL SP1 64-BIT
RAIT-0 STRIPING
ONBOARD 7.1 SOUND
CORSAIR HYDRO SERIES H60 120MM LIQUID COOLING

[Train]

http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/P9X...rt_Download_29

Make sure you select the right version of win 7

[Feraw]

What specific downloads should I pick?

[Shinma]

... I am running Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit OS... WINDOWS 7 PROFESSIONAL SP1 64-BIT...

?!

...500GB SATA III 6GB/s 7200RPM ... RAIT-0 STRIPING ...

?!

[Feraw]

Thank you for the clarification. After I loaded the driver on a USB stick during installation, it worked. I'll post one more time after the install to make sure everything went right.

[Feraw]

Unfortunately, after the install was done, the computer booted up and gave the message "missing operating system".

[SpywareDr]

Software cannot fix faulty/failing hardware.

[Midknyte]

Did you run the hard drive manufacturer's diags or not?

Do you have RAID-0 or not? RAID-0 requires at least 2 hard drives.

[Feraw]

Sorry for responding late. After some time I got the installation to work. Thanks for all your help, I really appreciate it.

[Midknyte]

So what was the fix?