It is left in limbo between 7 & 10 we tried every option open to us, on starting there is an option to choose F2 "enter setup" or F12 multi boot menu nothing there to help. Leaving it to continue through the boot, we see a black screen with white text saying files have been moved or changed...blah-blah two more options appear "enter system repair" and "start Windows normally", both give indications they are starting to do what the should but quickly go to a black screen that we look at for 4-5 mins. and then to the W 7 wallpaper and a cursor that does respond to the mouse but that's it, no buttons, no tray, click does nothing keys do nothing. Leave all night still looking at the same in the morning. Downloaded a recovery program on USB with answer desk, watched the same screen yet another night, still there in the morn. Was then told, no use I must reload the original OS 7 from scratch, Okay, I put in the disc, boot, tap F 12, boot from the DVD and it starts well, asks a few questions, then "setup is starting" yeah!! next morning the setup is still starting! Then was told today that was all they are going to do. Anyone had this problem? I was wondering is there anyway to erase the hard drive without an OS, pressing another F key when booting maybe.
Thanks
Chris
Hi again,
Windows 7 will not install, as stated above it starts out okay but freezes in the process. As stated in one of the articles bad RAM can effect an installation, I took out one stick (RAM) and I got access to the Windows 10 recovery disk stored on a USB, (not able to before, some progress there). Installation failed, it looks like it has installed, I entered the prod. key but ends with a message that "The computer started using the Windows installation media. Remove the installation media and restart your computer so that Windows starts normally. Then insert the installation media and restart the upgrade. Do not select Custom (advanced) to perform an upgrade. Custom installs a new copy of windows and deletes your programs and settings." Windows 7 will not boot so I can't continue on this path.
I have tried all the recovery options on the W 10 media, Reset the computer ends with a message "The drive where windows is installed is locked. Unlock the drive and try again." Startup Repair ends with "Startup Repair couldn't repair your PC" I cannot do a system restore because, "To use System restore you must specify which Windows installation to restore, Restart this computer, select an operating system and then select system restore." It will not go back to a previous build either.
"The drive where windows is installed is locked. Unlock the drive and try again." I looked into this here http://windowsreport.com/drive-windows-installed-locked/
and followed the three methods below, none worked!
What now???????????
Chris
Method one:
Place the Windows 8.1 or Windows 10 installation media inside the PC either a USB or a DVD.
Reboot the Windows 8.1 or Windows 10 device.
On the startup screen of windows you will be asked to boot from the DVD or USB stick and you should do so.
You will get to a Windows setup screen and you will need to left click or tap on the “Next” button.
In the next window you will need to left click or tap on the “Repair your computer” feature.
Now you should be in the “Advanced startup options” window.
Left click or tap on the “Advanced boot options” feature.
Left click or tap on the “Troubleshoot” feature.
Left click or tap on the “Advanced options” feature.
Left click or tap on the “Command prompt” option.
Now after you have the command prompt window in front of the screen you will need to write the following line: “chkdsk /f C:”
Note: If you’re Windows 8.1 or Windows 10 device is installed on another partition then the “C:” drive please copy the necessary drive in the command above.
Press the “Enter” button on the keyboard for the check to start.
After this operations is finished please reboot the Windows 8.1 or Windows 10 device and check to see if you get the same error message.
Method two:
Open the command prompt window as you did in the first method.
Write the following command in the command prompt window: “sfc /scannow”.
Press the “Enter” button on the keyboard.
Let the scan finish and fix any potential errors.
Reboot your Windows 8.1 or Windows 10 device again and check if you have the same error message.
Method three:
Go to the “Troubleshoot” feature in Windows as you did in the first method.
Left click or tap on the “Advanced options” menu.
Left click or tap on the “Automatic repair” option.
Left click or tap on the “Command prompt” option.
In the command prompt window you will need to write: “bootrec /RebuildBcd”.
Press the “Enter” button on the keyboard.
Write in the command prompt: “ bootrec /fixMbr”
Press the “Enter” button on the keyboard.
Write in the command prompt: “bootrec /fixboot”
Press the “Enter” button on the keyboard.
Write in the command prompt: “Exit”
Press the “Enter” button on the keyboard.
Reboot your Windows 8.1 or Windows 10 operating system.
See if you still get the same error message after doing this method.
Thanks again
Chris