Windows will not turn on

[Norman B]

I have a 2 year old Dell Studio Desktop that's running Windows Vista Home Premium. My wife was using the computer and she got a message that said some program was already running and to turn off Windows. She does not remember the exact message. She clicked OK. She left the computer for a few minutes and when she returned the screen was fuzzy and covered with colored lines. She shut off the computer with the button.

I turned the computer back on.The black Dell Screen comes on for about 30 seconds. I then have a black screen with the following message:

No Boot Device Available
SATA0:Installed SATA1: Installed SATA2 3 4 5 say None.

I turned the computer off and on again. The black Dell screen comes up again.

When the Dell screen comes on there are two options: F2=Setup; F12=Boot Menu.

When I hit F12 I get the following choices:

Please Select Boot Device:
CD/DVD:SM-HL-DT-ST DVD+/-RW GSA
Boot to Utility Partition
System Setup
Diagonogistics

I'm not to good with computers so I don't know what to do.

Thanks

 

[americancritic]

Hello and welcome to the forum.

Maybe this will help.

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/205005-boot-priority-change.html

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/88009-advanced-boot-options.html

 

[richc46]

Welcome To The Forum

First read and understand the tutorial on boot Priority given by American Critic.
I think that it is essential that a computer owner know the why and not just the what.
Thank you for the excellent tutorial AmericanCritic.

Then
If you create a recovery DVD, you may be able to boot to recovery options
Create Recovery DVD

The Vista recovery disk is used to boot Vista when it won't boot - to run Startup Repair, System Restore, access a Command Line, Recover using a Vista Backup Image, etc.
System Recovery Options. Choose an option tht will not cause you to lose your stuff.

If Vista will not start now, boot the Recovery CD to run Startup Repair which automates System Restore as well as numerous other tests including System File Checker which can repair system files which are not corrupted beyond repair.

If Vista still will not start, try booting into Safe Mode to run sfc /scannow to repair System files.
Special Thanks Given to Seven Forums.






Below is a bulletin distributed by MS to explain the start up procedure when Windows will not boot.

• Startup Repair. Startup Repair is a Windows recovery tool that can fix certain problems, such as missing or damaged system files, that might prevent Windows from starting. Startup Repair is located on the System Recovery Options menu, which is on the Windows Vista installation disc. If your computer has preinstalled recovery options, it might also be stored on your computer's hard disk. For more information, see Startup Repair: frequently asked questions and What are the system recovery options in Windows Vista? If your computer does not include Startup Repair, your computer manufacturer might have customized or replaced the tool. Check the information that came with your computer or go to the manufacturer's website.
• Change restart settings in safe mode. If your computer is stuck in a loop where Windows fails, attempts to restart, and then fails again repeatedly, restart your computer in safe mode and select the Disable automatic restart on system failure checkbox. For more information, see Advanced startup options (including safe mode).
• Reinstall. If no other options have solved the problem, and you are sure that your computer's hardware is functioning normally, you might need to reinstall Windows. A custom (clean) installation of Windows will permanently delete all of the files on your computer and reinstall Windows, so only use this option if all other recovery options have been unsuccessful. After the installation, you will need to reinstall your programs and restore your files from backup copies. For more information, see Installing and reinstalling Windows**.

Follow the above and see if you can boot. YOu will need to select the CD/DVD option as shown in your post. This option is explained in the tutorial given by AmericanCritic. This is why I wanted you to understand the concept.

Wish you luck

 

[Norman B]

Thanks for the reply. I am not great with computers but I can try.. I got the error code "0141" when I ran the diagnostics tool under the Boot Menu. I Googled that code and read that a virus or Registry Error could cause the hard drive not to be found. I called Dell and they said it was a bad hard drive. Since my wife clicked on something that said turn off windows, I'm not sure if Dell is right.
I had the Utilities CD so I put it in and ran the diagnostics from there. I get the error code "4400:011A" Compact Flsh Target Not Ready.
I don't whether to get the new hard drive or not.

 

[richc46]

If your wife turned off the computer incorrectly there could have been corruption to the system.
The registry is also subject to problems, so it could be anything. Just based upon what you have said, it does not sound like the hard drive. If you picked up a virus, that could be the cause of the message.

Follow the procedure and lets see what happens.
Lets try to fix this thing. If nothing else works, we can try a new hard drive.

 

[Norman B]

I read the info on Boot Priorities. When I go to the Boot Section of the BIOS Set Upin my computer there is no choice for Hard Drive anywhere. The choices are;
Boot Device Priority
CD/DVD Boot Priority
Boot Setting Configuration
Security

I opened all of them and no Hard Drive listed anywhere. Under Boot Device Priority the only choice is: 1st Boot Device CD/DVD.
Nothing else.

 

[americancritic]

Hello

Rich thank you for your excellent post...

This might help you also.

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/82664-boot-partition-default.html

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/88009-advanced-boot-options.html

 

[richc46]

You want to boot from the DVD that you made. Select DVD

 

[Norman B]

I'm a little confused. I did not make a DVD, I'm not sure what you mean.
I also checked the other links. Tapping F8 doesn't do any thing. It does not bring up any screen except the one that says No Boot Device Available. Nowhere on th Boot Tab under setup is there any choice for Hard Drive, only CD/DVD.
I'm getting ready to throw the computer out the window! Not Really.
Thanks for all of your help.

 

[richc46]

Welcome To The Forum

First read and understand the tutorial on boot Priority given by American Critic.
I think that it is essential that a computer owner know the why and not just the what.
Thank you for the excellent tutorial AmericanCritic.

Then
If you create a recovery DVD, you may be able to boot to recovery options
Create Recovery DVD

The Vista recovery disk is used to boot Vista when it won't boot - to run Startup Repair, System Restore, access a Command Line, Recover using a Vista Backup Image, etc.
System Recovery Options. Choose an option tht will not cause you to lose your stuff.

If Vista will not start now, boot the Recovery CD to run Startup Repair which automates System Restore as well as numerous other tests including System File Checker which can repair system files which are not corrupted beyond repair.

If Vista still will not start, try booting into Safe Mode to run sfc /scannow to repair System files.
Special Thanks Given to Seven Forums.







Below is a bulletin distributed by MS to explain the start up procedure when Windows will not boot.

• Startup Repair. Startup Repair is a Windows recovery tool that can fix certain problems, such as missing or damaged system files, that might prevent Windows from starting. Startup Repair is located on the System Recovery Options menu, which is on the Windows Vista installation disc. If your computer has preinstalled recovery options, it might also be stored on your computer's hard disk. For more information, see Startup Repair: frequently asked questions and What are the system recovery options in Windows Vista? If your computer does not include Startup Repair, your computer manufacturer might have customized or replaced the tool. Check the information that came with your computer or go to the manufacturer's website.
• Change restart settings in safe mode. If your computer is stuck in a loop where Windows fails, attempts to restart, and then fails again repeatedly, restart your computer in safe mode and select the Disable automatic restart on system failure checkbox. For more information, see Advanced startup options (including safe mode).
• Reinstall. If no other options have solved the problem, and you are sure that your computer's hardware is functioning normally, you might need to reinstall Windows. A custom (clean) installation of Windows will permanently delete all of the files on your computer and reinstall Windows, so only use this option if all other recovery options have been unsuccessful. After the installation, you will need to reinstall your programs and restore your files from backup copies. For more information, see Installing and reinstalling Windows**.

Follow the above and see if you can boot. YOu will need to select the CD/DVD option as shown in your post. This option is explained in the tutorial given by AmericanCritic. This is why I wanted you to understand the concept.

Wish you luck

Im glad that you asked. In the post above, I am going a different route. I want you to make a recovery DVD, boot from the DVD and get to repair options. The choices that you presented are not sufficient to repair the computer, in my opinion.
As a lost restort, if necessary, we may have to restore to factory specs, but that is down the road.

 

[richc46]

If you can get to this point, by any means, follow these instructions
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/88009-advanced-boot-options.html

 

[Norman B]

Richard, Thanks for the advice. Some of the instructions are a little over my head. I am going to try and get a friend of mine who knows more about computers to give me a hand. He will be better able to follow your suggestions. I'm not sure when he can come over and help.
In the mean time, I do have a CD that came with the computer. I believe that it has a copy of the operating system on it. If I put that in would it give me any repair or help options?

 

[richc46]

If it is the CD that I think it is, if you boot from the DVD, you will have the OS back

BUT

It is called a factory install. You will be back the way it was the day you took it home.
You will lose your stuff and you will have to do all the updates again. You will have to do everything over. It would be like you go back to the day you bought the computer.

 

[Norman B]

It is the DVD that came with the system. It's called the Reinstallation DVD. I didn't know that if I put it in it would give me a choice to Repair Windows. I don't want to reinstall Windows yet because I don't want to loose all of my data.
When I called Dell yesterday they told me that if they replace the hard drive I may still be able to get some of the data off the old drive depending on what is the matter with it.
Before I have the hard drive replaced I'm trying to find out if it is really broken or if a virus or something has corruped the system, not letting the hard drive to be recognized.
Thanks

 

[richc46]

Lets try to save the cost of getting this thing repaired
Try to save your stuff and then reinstall
Use Ubuntu Live CD to Backup Files from Your Dead Windows Computer - How-To Geek
If you can save your stuff, use the DVD to reinstall.

 

[Norman B]

I'll give it a try in the morning. I'll let you know how I make out.
Thanks

 

[richc46]

Once you save your stuff you will be OK. You cant lose no matter what we try.
Good luck

 

[Norman B]

Between my son's Little League and daughter's softball games I'm going to give Ubuntu Live CD backup a shot. I assume that this backup will work if the problem is some type of corruption or virus, not if the hrd drive is actually broken.
I'll let you know how I make out. I really appreciate all of your assistance.

 

[Norman B]

I'm ready to try this application. When I get to the page that has Burn UBUNTU Lve CD Iget the following:

If you have another computer, you can download and burn the Ubuntu Live CD using a very simple application called ImgBurn.
Which link do I click on? I wnet on both but wasn't sure what to do next.

Thanks

 

[richc46]

What you have to do is use another computer.
Download imgburn. It allows you to burn the CD.
Once you have imgburn on the computer.
Just follow instuctions to burn (create) the CD.
Then you load the CD into the bad computer
Then we cross fingers.