Help! Vista won't boot past Start up screen

[sp3GT]

I got a Gateway laptop, its just over a year old so warranty is up. I tried to turn it on today and it won't load past the black start up screen.

I've tried going into Bios to load default settings, using F8 to start in safe mode and tried to run from the recovery disc. Nothings worked so far.

I bought it from Best Buy, should I bring it in?


Thanks,

[GHANNAH86]

Press F8 and try running a startup repair/repair my computer option. More then likely you will need to use the built in Windows System restore function to role the system back a few days to when it was last working. Taking it to bestbuy will cost you $50 or just for them to tell you what is wrong if I remember the prices correctlly.

[SilentJay]

Save yourself some money/trouble. Get your hands on BartPE (or any other PE), and run a chkdsk on the drive, that'll usually clear things up. Worst case scenario, pull out the drive, attach it to a working computer, pull the data off, and format/reimage/reload OS.

[mazdabetty]

...and after that, buy a mac...


ahhaha sorryyyy I just had to :)

[omalak]

...and after that, buy a mac...


ahhaha sorryyyy I just had to :)

lets not go there :complain

Kelvin, chk your pm..

[sp3GT]

I've tried the F8 options, none of them seem to work.

I've left the car running for as long as 15 mins, it still doesn't go through, if it does somehow go through what should I do first after that?

[ElegantGremlin]

Best bet would be to do what SilentJay suggested. Backup and reformat.

How experienced are you with taking apart computers?

[SilentJay]

(!!) didja run the chkdsk off a preload environment?

When I worked at FS, it was $45 for a diagnostics, then $60 to reinstall your OS without backing up your stuff :chuckle

Shoot me a PM if you need help.

[RallyPlaya]

...and after that, buy a mac...


ahhaha sorryyyy I just had to :)

:chuckle I Totally Agree, Caant Deal with windows anymore im a converted Mac fan

[ElegantGremlin]

(!!) didja run the chkdsk off a preload environment?

When I worked at FS, it was $45 for a diagnostics, then $60 to reinstall your OS without backing up your stuff :chuckle

Shoot me a PM if you need help.

Yah. At Staples it was $60 for certain brands and than $80 for others. And for most of it you aren't even doing anything. It's a jip.

[Iceman_F1]

...and after that, buy a mac...


ahhaha sorryyyy I just had to :)


:chuckle I Totally Agree, Caant Deal with windows anymore im a converted Mac fan

To be fair, having used Linux, OSX and Windows...I have to say all Operating Systems can fail if you don't know what you're doing. People say you can't crash a mac...I have. People say mac's don't freeze. Mine has. And I use it only for video watching and basic chat/web browsing. It may be easier to use if you've never used a computer before. But it's not the best...

Also, if hardware fails. Doesn't matter what you have, you're SOL anyways :pop

Oh, and try what SilentJay said. If you know what you are doing, might be easier to backup/re-install.

[SilentJay]

For the record, if you're going to reinstall Vista, you might as well get yourself a copy of Win7. It's like running Vista, but it's actually functional.

[Iceman_F1]

For the record, if you're going to reinstall Vista, you might as well get yourself a copy of Win7. It's like running Vista, but it's actually functional.

Except for the fact it's not officially out yet and still in beta/release candidate?

[SilentJay]

It's RC1, and they're still spitting out legit keys that are valid for a year.

[crystal8484]

virus?


My desktop computer did this about a month ago after my dad decided to click on a pop up link saying that our computer was in need of some SERIOUS virus protection updates.. ugh. a large pain in the ass..

anyways, we couldn't boot up past the black start up screen... luckily our buddy was able to get it into fixable state and we were able to format and get rid of the issues.

[Fobio]

to OP:

it's likely you have a corrupted Master Boot Record (MBR). If you know how to "Repair Windows" using the Windows install disk, then you can possibly rebuild your MBR. Google your issue...I've done it a few times and it'll get you your desktop back...after that I usually transfer my files and do a fresh install (not necesary, as once you fix your MBR, you're as good as before).

[silvermist99]

what msg do you see before it hangs? blank black screen? disc cannot be found? froozen bootup toolbar? blue screen of death etc..?


Try reinstalling windows, put the vista disc in and run repair.

If you see some sort of windows stuff loading, then I don't think its the MBR.

[sp3GT]

to OP:

it's likely you have a corrupted Master Boot Record (MBR). If you know how to "Repair Windows" using the Windows install disk, then you can possibly rebuild your MBR. Google your issue...I've done it a few times and it'll get you your desktop back...after that I usually transfer my files and do a fresh install (not necesary, as once you fix your MBR, you're as good as before).

How do I repair windows? I've tried that option when it comes up but it still gets stuck at the black start up screen.

I've put in the recovery disc but after it says "Windows Loading Files" it just goes back to the startup screen and gets stuck.

I've never taken apart laptop before so I woudln't know how to back up and reformat??

There's no blue screen of death or anything, simply boots then goes to start up screen and stays forever.

[ElegantGremlin]

You can try this on the laptop to fix the Master Boot Record.

http://www.lancelhoff.com/how-to-fix-vista-mbr-repair-broken-vista/

[silvermist99]

How do I repair windows? I've tried that option when it comes up but it still gets stuck at the black start up screen.

I've put in the recovery disc but after it says "Windows Loading Files" it just goes back to the startup screen and gets stuck.

I've never taken apart laptop before so I woudln't know how to back up and reformat??

There's no blue screen of death or anything, simply boots then goes to start up screen and stays forever.

put the windows/gateway windows disc in. Select boot from disc from bios and when it says press any keys to boot from disc hit the key. Then the windows installation program will load. I don't remember teh details off the top of my head but if you continue in that windows installation screen, eventually you'll get to a spot where you can press repair and windows will reload its system files

[sp3GT]

Well, after leaving it for 2 days. It now turns on again I don't know why.
But one weird thing about it, it can no longer run the games I had on there.

I use to play NBA 2k9 on there and now it runs with half the icons and colours missing? I tried my need for speed it doesn't even load up anymore?
But I tried the 3D solid modeller I use and that runs fine.

Is this a graphics card issue?

[S.F.W.]

Well, after leaving it for 2 days. It now turns on again I don't know why.
But one weird thing about it, it can no longer run the games I had on there.

I use to play NBA 2k9 on there and now it runs with half the icons and colours missing? I tried my need for speed it doesn't even load up anymore?
But I tried the 3D solid modeller I use and that runs fine.

Is this a graphics card issue?

I don't think it's an issue with the graphics card. It is an OS issue at least. At best Windows install is corrupted, and you should back up and reinstall. Another possibility is your hard drive has bad sectors, and needs to be replaced.

[ElegantGremlin]

I say backup what you need to keep and reformat. If the issues persist after a fresh install of Vista than start investigating potential hardware issues.

If you can't do that, try reinstalling your video drivers.

Either way, you should backup your data in case it happens again.