Cannot load Windows 7 from hard drive. Possible with recovery discs.

I used this same response in a previous solution....It mostly looks like your installation of Windows has been corrupted....some system files may have been affected. See if you can find the recovery disk for your machine. One of the things you can try is use the CD as your boot disk (you may need to enter the BIOS or SETUP to change the boot order...there will be a key to hit when you see the Toshiba splash screen when you first boot the machine...it will say press "<some key here>" to enter setup.)
Once you boot from the disk I would try getting to a command prompt and running the following command: chkdsk c: /f /r

This will scan and repair any bad sectors on your hard drive and if they can be repaired it may make your machine bootable again. If they cannot be repaired, it may be that your hard drive is dying. ither way...if you get into the machine (even from the boot disk) if you can see the drive, I'd recommend backing up whatever files you can, because if the drive dies, you will lose your data. You may also use a Linux LIVE CD ... this basically boots a version of linux from a disk rather than your hard drive, it may allow you to test hardware and back up files as necessary before thinking about reinstalling Windows.

I have never had any success with recovery discs and I don't know anyone who has. A recovery disc should not erase the hard drive but should repair the original software if it becomes too damaged to operate.

I am not an expert but if Windows thinks the software is compromised it provides you with the option of starting in safe mode and I think that is the only time it is possible to access safe mode. Windows has to be almost working in order to offer a safe mode option.

You didn't say how old the laptop is but I expect it is well out of warranty as Windows 7 is now considered old and outdated. I personally would not buy a new computer unless it was supplied with the official systems disc or was very, very cheap.

There is a lot of things computer boffins can do to recover and repair Windows but you would find their services much more expensive than a Windows 7 disc. Formatting the drive and reloading everything is by far the best option for ordinary folk - if your problem is solely a saftware problem and not hardware related.

If you have to save money why not try the Linux operating system that is completely free...

The window files are corrupt, or the hard drive has issues, since you don't have a windows 7 disc and you cannot access the recovery partition, the next step is to have the hardware tested for possible replacement.

Hi Keith,

You can easily install the Windows 7 in your computer after checking and ensuring the system requirements. You can insert the Original Windows 7 OS in your drive and reboot your notebook; this will make your notebook boot from the DVD. Follow the installation wizard and after the installation, enter the product key and then register the product at the Microsoft website.


For additional information please follow the steps below.

1. Hook up the hard drive, then insert the install DVD, and boot from the DVD to start the installation.

2. Boot your computer using the Windows 7 installation disc or USB flash drive. Turn on your computer, insert the Windows 7 installation disc or USB flash drive, and then shut down your computer.

3. Restart your computer and then keep on tapping the F12 to enter the boot menu.

4. Refer to on screen instructions to select either CDROM/DVDROM or USB CDROM.

5. Press any key when prompted, and then follow the instructions that appear.

6. On the Install Windows page, enter your language and other preferences, and then click Next .

-If the Install Windows page doesn't appear, please repeat step 3.

7. Once your on the Please read the license terms page, click I accept the license terms , and then click Next .

8. On the Which type of installation do you want? page, click Custom .

9. On the Where do you want to install Windows ? page, choose the partition that you want to install Windows 7 on, or click Unallocated Space if no partitions are listed, and then click Next .

10. If a dialog box appears saying that Windows might create additional partitions for system files, or that the partition you chose might contain recovery files or other types of files from your computer manufacturer, click OK .

11. Follow the instructions to finish installing Windows 7 , which include naming your computer and setting up an initial user account.

Hope it helps.

Thank you for using FixYa.

Hi! If you have the Windows 7 disc just insert it restart the computer. It will boot directly from the disc. Then follow the step by step instructions here.
If you don't have the Windows 7 disc, you have two ways to reformat your Toshiba computer.
Using Toshiba HDD Recovery Utility from the recovery partition
In case of a hard disk drive failure, you may be able to restore the drive to the factory default state using the on-disk Toshiba HDD Recovery Utility (in a special partition on the hard disk drive).
You can select restoring the entire hard disk drive to the factory default state, or restoring only the C: drive -- without affecting other partitions (for example, a D: drive) -- or changing the size allocated to your C: drive, and then restore it.
To recover your hard disk drive from a system failure using the utilities stored on your computers HDD, follow these steps:

1. If the computer is running, shut it down -- by clicking Start, Shut Down, and again Shut Down.
   
2. Press and hold the 0 (zero) key on your keyboard and then press the computers power switch. When the computer turns on, the Toshiba HDD Recovery Utility screen will appear, presenting three options:

Sample TOSHIBA HDD Recovery Utility screen

Restore Original Factory Image (Recommended)
CAUTION:
Restoring a hard disk drive to its factory default state deletes all partitions on the hard disk drive and all data stored on those partitions. All of your files and information will be lost! Be sure to back up all important files first.

1. Press 1 to restore your hard disk drive to its original factory default state. A confirmation message will appear, indicating that all data will be overwritten and lost during the restore process. Be sure to back up all important files before proceeding.
   
2. Click Yes to begin the recovery. A message will appear once the operation is finished, indicating the HDD has been restored.
   
3. Press any key to restart the computer.

* The options 2 & 3 are for advanced users.
Hard Disk Drive Recovery using Recovery CDs or DVDs
You may also wish to to run the Toshiba HDD Recovery Utility from Recovery CDs or DVDs that you have created.

Insert the first Recovery CD or DVD into your CD/DVD drive, and turn on the computer. Once the computer is running, the TOSHIBA HDD Recovery Utility screen will appear, presenting the same three options above. Again Press 1 to restore your hard disk drive to its original factory default state. Click Yes to begin the recovery. Press any key to restart the computer.

Installing Drivers and Applications
The TOSHIBA Application Installer allows you to reinstall the drivers and applications that were originally bundled with your computer.
To reinstall drivers and applications:

1. Double-click the "Toshiba Application Installer" icon on the Windows desktop. This utility may also be launched by clicking Start -->All Programs --> Hard Disk Recovery Utilities.
   
   
   
   
2. Click "Next".
   
3. Click the item(s) you wish to install. To select multiple items, hold down the Ctrl key as you click your selections.
   
4. Click "Install".
   
5. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the installation process.

Hope this helps.

Insert your system recovery disc to repair your startup.

1. Change your Bios to boot from disc:
When your computer powers on, hit F2 (on some computers, F8 on others). Use your arrow keys and move to the right to your BOOT option. Hit the down arrow until you select your CD/DVD drive. Look at the bottom of your screen, and it should say to change the option hit F7 or F8. Use the specified keys, and move your CD/DVD drive above your hard-drive. Save your settings.

2. Boot from your disc. Insert your system recovery disc and restart your computer. Let the recovery disc load. If the option comes up to hit any button to boot from CD/DVD, then hit any button. Once it loads, it should come to a spot where it wants your language. Select your language, then select the option "Startup Repair". Click on it, and let it repair the startup. If it automatically starts correcting your startup then great! If not, then select your operating system from the list and click the Repair Startup option. Restart your computer, and hopefully it will boot from your hard-drive correctly.

Hope this works.

P.S. If it continues to boot from your recovery disc, then using the same method in step 1, go to your bios, and move your CD/DVD drive below your hard-drive.

This may be because your hardware of your computer is not able to cope with the demands of Windows 7 especially when it come to laptops. Laptops use slower RPM hard drives and slower processors, so it is common to find that a laptop is slow. Keep your applications down to a minimum and keep your anti-virus software up to date. Run a virus scan, it is possible that you PC is slowing down because of a virus infection. Run the disk defragmentor program, this will ensure that all files are put together and your computer doesn't have to spend time to search for the files it needs. Run msconfig, navigate to the start up tab, you may find programs that you don't need at start up, for experienced users only. If you want to repair windows then I recommend sending it to a computer technician.

All the best!
damnor01

If you have a windows disc that came with the system, insert the disc while the computer is on. Shut the computer down. Turn computer back on. Your computer should boot to the disc. Delete partitions. Format the hard drive. And reinstall.
If you do not have a windows disc contact sony to purchase a recovery disc.

esupport.sony.com/

The majority of these PCs have a recovery partition on the internal hard drive, here is the instructions for using it.
Recovering information using Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE)
Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) can perform a recovery from either an optional external hard
drive or from recovery discs.
CAUTION: Using Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) will completely erase hard drive contents
and reformat the hard drive. All files you have created and any software installed on the computer will
be permanently removed. When reformatting is complete, the recovery process will restore the operating
system, as well as the drivers, software, and utilities from the backup used for recovery.
To initiate recovery using WinRE, follow these steps:
NOTE: This process will take several minutes.
1. If possible, back up all personal files.
2. Restart the computer, and then press f8 before the Windows operating system loads.
3. Select Repair your computer.
NOTE: The "Repair your computer" option is displayed only if the WinRE partition is intact. If the
option is not displayed, refer to “Recovering information using a Windows Vista operating system
DVD (purchased separately).”
4. Follow the on-screen instructions.
5. Click Next.
6. Select your user name, type your password (if applicable), and then click OK.
7. If you are using recovery discs, insert the last disc of the recovery disc backup set.
NOTE: Inserting the last disc of the backup set confirms the presence of a valid backup. If you
insert any other disc, the backup will not be recognized.
– or –
If you are using an optional external hard drive, connect it to the computer.
8. Click Windows Complete PC Restore.
9. Follow the on-screen instructions.

this is getting long , so ill will post more steps in comment.....

Glad to hear you have your OS disc handy... let's try this:

Insert your XP CD and when it asks if you want to boot from the CD, press any key (ENTER) to do so. When asked, press ENTER ("To setup Windows XP now") and follow these steps...

To repair a Windows XP installation using Recovery Console, press "R"
To quit Setup without installing Windows XP, press "F3".
Press Enter to start the Windows Setup. DO NOT choose "To repair a Windows XP installation using the Recovery Console". You Do Not want to load the Recovery Console.
Accept the License Agreement and Windows will search for existing Windows installations.
Select the XP installation you want to repair from the list and press "R" to start the repair.
((Note: If Repair is not one of the options, END setup. After the reboot read Warning#2! ))

Setup will copy the necessary files to the hard drive and at some point the system will reboot. When this happens, you want to now allow the system to boot from the hard disk but leave the CD in the drive. So do not press any key to boot from CD when the message appears. Setup will continue as if it were doing a clean install, but your applications and settings will remain intact.

Hope that helps.
Good luck!