Windows 7 Startup Repair Offline -CorruptFile-

Hi,

Setup/Settings (BIOS/CMOS) often F2 as you boot so watch the screen - set the boot

order to CD/DVD first. If you still get the same error see below.

Check with Gateway Support.

Gateway Drivers and Downloads

http://support.gateway.com/support/drivers/dlcenter.asp

Gateway Support

http://support.gateway.com/support/?cmpid=topnav

Gateway Documents

http://support.gateway.com/support/supinfo/index.asp?cmpid=topnav

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Check this KB article which probably applies even if seemingly different in scope.

After you install a device or update a driver for a device, Windows Vista or Windows 7

may not start

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/927525

========================================================

References to Vista also apply to Windows 7.

This is a serious error and "may" not be repairable without professional tech support from

a real computer shop (not leeks and peeks at a BestBuy or other BigBox Stores) or your

System maker's Support.

Go into Setup/Settings (BIOS/CMOS) often F2 as you boot so watch screen as you startup.

Set the boot order to CD/DVD to use Windows 7 disks. Remember to set back when done.

With a Windows 7 or Repair disk try Startup Repair - (the possible fixes are same as these though

the titles are named differently.)

Here are the troubleshooting methods to try to fix the issue :

Try Startup Repair - (If at ANY point you gain some but not full access to Windows come

back and try Startup Repair again.)

How to Boot to the System Recovery Options in Windows 7

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/668-system-recovery-options.html

What are the system recovery options in Windows 7?

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/What-are-the-system-recovery-options-in-Windows-7

Try StartUp Repair from Recovery Options or Windows 7 disk.

How to Run a Startup Repair in Windows 7

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/681-startup-repair.html

Recovering the Vista or Windows 7 Bootloader from the DVD

http://neosmart.net/wiki/display/EBCD/Recovering+the+Vista+Bootloader+from+the+DVD

Recovering the Vista Bootloader with EasyBCD (Windows 7)

http://neosmart.net/wiki/display/EBCD/Recovering+the+Vista+Bootloader+with+EasyBCD

Repairing the Windows Vista Bootloader (Windows 7)

http://neosmart.net/wiki/display/EBCD/Repairing+the+Windows+Vista+Bootloader

These are not your error however the fix might work.

Unable to boot in windows vista- windows boot configuration data file is missing required

information - Repair Corrupt Boot Manager (Windows 7)

http://www.troublefixers.com/unable-to-boot-in-windows-vista-windows-boot-configuration-data-file-is-missing-required-information/

How to use the Bootrec.exe tool in the Windows Recovery Environment to troubleshoot and

repair startup issues in Windows Vista (Windows 7)

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/927392

How to fix "BOOTMGR is missing" in Windows Vista (Windows 7)

http://cyberst0rm.blogspot.com/2007/04/how-to-fix-bootmgr-is-missing-in.html

Error message when you start Windows Vista: "The Windows Boot Configuration Data file is

missing required information"  (Windows 7)

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/927391

Vista Tip: Repair "BOOTMGR is missing" error - a quick how to (Windows 7)

http://lifehacker.com/251733/vista-tip--repair-bootmgr-is-missing-error

See this section here - To repair/rebuild the Boot Config Data Use the Bootrec.exe Tool (Windows 7)

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/163304-dual-boot-using-free-partitioning-software.html

=========================================

These "may" help :

For even better and more efficient checking :

From the Command Prompt of the Recovery Console (if you have one) or from a Windows 7 

disk - if you do not have a Windows 7 disk you can borrow a friend's (it needs to be same 32

or 64 bit and they are not copy protected) or make one. Also your System maker will sell the

physical disks cheap since you already own Windows.

chkdsk /f /r

REBOOT

Space after k and before /  and after f and before /

sfc /scannow

REBOOT

Space after c and before /

How to Boot to the System Recovery Options in Windows 7

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/668-system-recovery-options.html

What are the system recovery options in Windows 7?

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/What-are-the-system-recovery-options-in-Windows-7

---

If you do not have a Windows 7 disk you can borrow a friends as they are not copy

protected. Your System maker will also sell the physical DVD cheap since you already

own Windows. Also you can make a repair disk on another computer.

If you need to make repair disks - these help repair Windows not re-install.

How to Create a Windows 7 System Repair Disc

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2083-system-repair-disc-create.html

=====================================

If CheckDisk fails to complete as above :

(The old 302602 links is not valid now for the diagnostic links.)

Diagnostic Utilities By Manufacturer - run the one for your hard drive

http://www.techsupportforum.com/hardware-support/hard-drive-support/462298-no-ide-device-found.html

Corrected list as of 6-09-2010

Fujitsu Hard Drives: Diagnostic Utilities Here

http://www.fujitsu.com/emea/products/hdd/

Hitachi Hard Drives: Diagnostic Utilities Here

http://www.hitachigst.com/support/downloads/

IBM Hard Drives: Use Hitachi Utilities*

Toshiba Hard Drives: Use Hitachi or Maxtor Utilities

Maxtor Hard Drives: Diagnostic Utilities Here (now SeaGate)

http://www.seagate.com/www/en-us/support/

Quantum Hard Drives: Use Maxtor Utilities

Seagate Hard Drives: Diagnostic Utilities Here

http://www.seagate.com/www/en-us/support/downloads

Conner Hard Drives: Use Seagate Utilities

Samsung Hard Drives: Diagnostic Utilities Here

http://www.samsung.com/global/business/hdd/

Western Digital Hard Drives: Diagnostic Utilities Here

http://support.wdc.com/product/download.asp?lang=enhttp://www.techsupportforum.com/hardware-support/hard-drive-support/302602-hard-drive-diagnostic-utilities.html

The trial versions of one of these "might" help.

SpeedFan

http://www.almico.com/sfdownload.php

HD Tune

http://www.hdtune.com/

Hope this helps.

Hi,

In the troubleshooter I posted is the method to make a Windows

Repair Disk.

How to Create a Windows 7 System Repair Disc

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2083-system-repair-disc-create.html

You can make one on any computer with a CD burner running either

XP, Vista, or Windows 7 as the process uses no files from the host

computer.

---

That mode would allow you to run SFC and checkdisk as indicated

though it is best to run those from the Repair Disk's Command Prompt.

---

Its possible this is a serious drive problem and you need to use the

drive manufacturer's diagnostic utility.

---

You may not be able to correct this without professional help however

the best chance is to do the above from the top down until you have

exhausted the methods or are up and running. Skipping around will

make it harder to accomplish if it can be done.

Hope this helps.

Hello ChrisPaine,

In the response you gave to SpiritX, you mentioned that you were able to get to the 'Disable Driver Signature Enforcement' option.

On the same screen where you choose this option, you will see Safe Mode. 

Can we boot into Safe Mode from here? 

If we can, I would like to perform a clean boot of the operating system.

Details on clean boot troubleshooting can be found in the following link:

How to troubleshoot a problem by performing a clean boot in Windows Vista or in Windows 7

Let us know if we can perform the clean boot.

Best regards,

Matthew_Ha

I tried most of what you listed. However, they did not completely relate to my specific problem or didn't work. I failed to mention my lack of any Windows recovery/boot disks. 

I do appreciate the length and effort you must have gone through to list those options, as I'm sure they work on most cases. This is just my luck or lack thereof.

I ended up starting Windows in 'Disable Driver Signature Enforcement' and it seems to work now. I'm just not sure if it really 'fixes' anything, or is just bypassing the root problem while only fixing it's symptoms. Kinda like taking pain medication for an abscessed tooth while ignoring the antibiotics.

Please answer this last question; Is it safe to run the PC in 'Disable Driver Signature Enforcement' or could I do greater damage taking this route?

EDIT: I ran Windows normally for about 10 minutes under 'Disable Driver Signature Enforcement' mode then it went to the blue screen.

Is there a method of restoring to factory settings without having to boot Windows? I didn't receive a Windows 7 install disk when purchasing the laptop, and from what I can gather, one is required.

Any tips or suggestions would be appreciated.