Friends Laptop Will not boot

[resevil83]

Upon starting of the machine, the computer will go to the windows loading screen, however it just stalls there. It will then go to a black screen and that is all. Then it will say when you restart it that windows did not shut down properly and you can choose how you want to boot up windows. either option you select you get the same sequence.

[guestolo]

Sorry for the delay, is this resolved?

[resevil83]

no.... still need help. Please. What I meant by loading screen in the black screen with the green loading bar you get right before the user login/welcome screen. So I just see the green progress bar loop until everything goes black and I just get the mouse. Ctrl alt delete does not work nor do any other functions that I can think of.

[guestolo]

I take it this is Windows XP?

Do you know the exact make/model of computer?

[resevil83]

Yea sorry... This is actually windows 7. It is a Dell Studio 1555. Model PP39L

[guestolo]

Do you have a copy of any live Linux versions?
Such as Knoppix?
If you don't, post back and I'll lick you to a good copy

Simply burn knoppix ISO as an image file to a CD and try booting your computer with it
If it boots, then we know it's your operating system and may help eliminate computer hardware
Problems

[resevil83]

No, I do not have a copy of linux. Please link me and I will get to that right away.

[guestolo]

Try the following link
ftp://ftp.kernel.org/pub/dist/knoppix/

Scroll down
KNOPPIX_V6.2CD-2009-11-18-EN.iso 707578 KB  08/02/2010 8:57:00 AM
Save to desktop, then ensure to burn as an image file

[resevil83]

So, it loaded up all its things from the cd.... but then went to a black screen. nothing happens until I hit the power button. When I do it completes the shutdown and says to please remove cd, close cdrom drive and hit return (2 minutes).

[resevil83]

also wanted to let you know that I was doing some type of diagnostic test on it the other day. I didn't finish out everything, but I did get this.
Hard drive - DST short test
Test Results: fail
error code 2000-0142
msg: Hard drive 0 - self test unsuccessful. Status 79

[guestolo]

Is there anything you need to save from the harddrive?
Did you give knoppix time to totally load, it can take awhile

[resevil83]

My intent was to answer your question with bad news, but here I am shocked. I put in the cd to give it an unituruppted hour or two to load, but it literally took 1 minute this time. I saw the mountain background pop up and then the rest of the os, including mouse, quick launch icons and system tray. Very interesting. I'd like to keep the hard drive in tact, I was trying not to do a re-format because I believe there is some information that we'd like to keep.

[resevil83]

If you could give me any guidance as to what to do now, I'd greatly appreciate it.

[guestolo]

Are you able to navigate with Knoppix,
In order to navigate thru Windows partition, there should be an icon on the bottom left
2nd in from the left
I'm not using that version of Knoppix, but that should get you access to Windows

I was hoping you can hook up an external harddrive, or thumbdrive and save whatever the owner needs
Such as pictures and documents
Then try a reformat>install

[resevil83]

I was able to save what I needed. I put in windows 7 installation disc and I get stuck at setup is starting. It just hangs there. I read around on the other forums to disable the floppy in bios and disable other network and usb features in bios. None of which work. Then I read to disconnect the webcam from inside the computer. I opened up the laptop, however I cannot figure out which cable is the webcam cable. I hate laptops! http://images.thetechguide.com/forum/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif\' class=\'bbc_emoticon\' alt=\'\' /> I went onto dells site to see the service manual and they show how to disconnect the webcam from up top but no the mobo. Any help or suggestions as to what to do would be appreciated. I just want to get this thing reformatted and over with! What a pain.

[resevil83]

well after much struggle you can count this thread closed. I ended up putting everything back together, installing windows vista 64 bit without any hiccups and then went on to install windows 7 as an upgrade. Everything went seamlessly and the task is over with.

[guestolo]

Thanks for letting me know you resolved this
I'll lock this topic as your problems are resolved
Take care resevil83  http://images.thetechguide.com/forum/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif\' class=\'bbc_emoticon\' alt=\'\' />