Resolving computer error preventing Windows access

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1. Resolving computer error preventing Windows access

What caused the error?

No indication lights on the machine

Computer boots up and reports no bootable hard drive

Windows hangs during startup

Computer encounters the 'blue screen of death' or hangs frequently

Recovering files when Windows fails to boot

Being unable to access Windows is one of the most critical issues you might face on your computer. However, newer versions of Windows (7 and 8) have also provided many useful features to help you resolve your issues, or at least salvage the situation before...

1. Resolving computer error preventing Windows access

Being unable to access Windows is one of the most critical issues you might encounter on your computer. However, newer versions of Windows (7 and 8) have also provided many useful features to help you resolve your issues, or at least salvage the situation before the computer completely stops functioning.

What caused the error?

Before beginning to fix the error, think about the changes you made before Windows failed to start. Did you install new drivers for hardware? Did you install a new hardware device? Did you just open the computer case for cleaning?

It's highly likely that the driver you just installed is faulty, your new hardware isn't compatible with Windows, or there's a loose connection inside your computer casing.

No indication lights on the machine

If pressing the power button yields no response from your computer, firstly, check if there's any indication of power on the electrical socket/surge protector and ensure the power cord is securely plugged in. For desktop computers, verify if the power switch at the back, on the power supply unit, is in the 'on' position.

If there are no power issues and your computer still fails to boot, it's highly probable that one of the internal connectors is loose. Alternatively, the power cord or the power supply unit itself may be faulty. It's advisable to seek assistance from repair specialists.

Remember to determine if the entire system is not booting or just the screen remains blank. If the computer appears to be powered on (fan noise, hard drive light), but the screen remains blank, recheck the power and signal cables for the monitor. If the system is powered on, with the power light on and the fan spinning, but the hard drive and optical drive lights are off, inspect the connections for the hard drive, RAM slots, graphics card, and internal audio card inside the computer case.

Computer boots up and reports no bootable hard drive

If your computer powers on but fails to boot into Windows, displaying a message such as 'no bootable device – insert boot disk and press any key,' it seems that your computer no longer recognizes the previously installed Windows directory.

Access the BIOS during startup (by pressing the Escape or F2 key) and check if the hard drive/partition with Windows installed (typically labeled as C:) is listed at the top of the boot sequence. If not, use the arrow keys to rearrange the boot order. Most modern motherboards only boot from optical disks (CDs, DVDs) after confirmation by pressing a key during startup, but to ensure, place the Windows-installed hard drive first in this list.

If your Windows-installed hard drive/partition does not appear in the BIOS list, it's highly likely that the Windows partition on this drive or the entire drive itself is corrupted. In this case, boot from the Windows installation DVD or recovery drive on your computer. Then, run the Startup Repair feature. This feature will attempt to restore your Windows installation. For example, if the boot sector memory region (containing executable code to start the computer) is overwritten, Windows will restore this memory region. If even the Startup Repair feature cannot locate your Windows-installed hard drive, this drive may be physically damaged.

You can also use the fixmbr command to repair the boot sector memory region or fixboot to create a new boot sector memory region. To perform these tasks, boot from the installation disk and instead of using Startup Repair, select Command Prompt and run the commands. The Startup Repair feature in Windows 7 and 8 can execute these commands, so only use fixmbr and fixboot when you need to run other commands in Command Prompt.

Windows hangs during startup

If Windows enters the loading process but hangs midway, you may be experiencing software issues. Startup Repair may be able to fix software errors. Upon restart, if Windows does not offer you the Startup Repair option, boot from the Windows installation DVD or recovery partition and use Startup Repair. If Startup Repair cannot fix the issue for you, consider reinstalling Windows. Windows 8 also supports the Refresh (removing all apps, reinstalling system files) and Reset (returning the computer to its initial state) features. These features will be displayed when Windows 8 detects an unsuccessful startup and will not require you to use a DVD or recovery drive.

If your computer consistently hangs during Startup Repair or Windows installation, or even if both processes succeed but you still encounter issues during usage, it's highly likely that your computer has hardware issues. In this case, you'll need the assistance of hardware repair services.

Computer encounters the 'blue screen of death' or hangs frequently

If Windows consistently hangs or encounters the blue screen of death (BSOD) immediately after startup, you may be facing software issues such as malware infection, severe errors in newly installed software, or faulty drivers.

To check if Windows is experiencing software issues, boot into Windows safe mode by pressing the F8 key on your keyboard while Windows is loading. In this mode, Windows won't use regular drivers and won't run software set to start with Windows. If Windows operates smoothly in safe mode, try uninstalling recently installed drivers or software, use the restore feature to revert to a recent backup point, and perform a virus scan. If you're lucky, one of these steps will fix your issue, allowing you to boot Windows normally.

If you've tried these steps but Windows continues to malfunction, try reinstalling Windows or using the Refresh/Reset feature in Windows 8. This feature will help clean up your system. If after reinstalling Windows your computer still experiences hangs, it's highly probable that you're dealing with hardware issues.

Recovering files when Windows fails to boot

If you have important files that you haven't backed up before installing Windows, you can use a small 'trick' using the Windows installation disk to back up your files. On the startup screen when Windows error is reported, select Command Prompt and run the 'notepad' command to launch the default Windows notepad application. Then, select File/Open or press Ctrl + O. In the Open window, navigate to the folder containing your important backup files, right-click, select Copy, and then Paste into an unused partition for Windows installation or an external hard drive, USB drive. Then, restart your computer and proceed with reinstalling Windows.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the initial steps to take when Windows fails to boot?

When Windows fails to boot, first check for power issues by ensuring the power cord is securely connected and the power switch on the power supply is turned on. If there's power but the screen is blank, inspect the monitor's power and signal cables.

How can I resolve the 'no bootable device' error on Windows?

To fix the 'no bootable device' error, access the BIOS during startup and ensure the hard drive with Windows is prioritized in the boot sequence. If it's not listed, the drive may be corrupted, requiring the use of a Windows installation DVD for Startup Repair.

What should I do if Windows hangs during startup?

If Windows hangs during startup, try using the Startup Repair feature via the installation DVD or recovery partition. If that fails, consider reinstalling Windows or utilizing the Refresh and Reset features available in Windows 8.

How can I recover files when Windows fails to boot properly?

To recover files when Windows fails to boot, use the Command Prompt from the installation disk. Run the 'notepad' command to access files and copy them to an external drive or unused partition before reinstalling Windows.

Is it possible to fix Windows software issues in safe mode?

Yes, booting into safe mode allows you to diagnose software issues by running Windows with minimal drivers. If the system runs smoothly, consider uninstalling recent software or drivers to resolve the problems.