Windows 7 won't boot (even in safe mode) and can't reinstall

This problem seems pretty widespread and I read lots of threads to try and fix this and was not looking forward to rebuilding PC but I got lucky. Suggest you try this for yourselves as it worked for me.

I originally only posted this on one thread but have had feedback that it has worked for someone else so posting this more widely now.

·         Reboot in Safe Mode with Command Prompt

·         When the boot script freezes at "CLASSPNP.SYS" line hit <ctrl><break>

·         When I tried this it killed the frozen command line session and then Windows went on to reboot in safe mode

·         I then restarted in normal mode and hey presto no more problems

·         Not yet anyway

What a surprise that an old MSDOS keyboard command seems to be able, at least in my and one other case, to fix what appears to be a significant Windows problem for so many...makes you think.

Hope this saves a few people from having to do major reinstall work or hardware fixes.

I know this an old thread but it was very useful! ctrl.break after "CLASSPNP.SYS" did the trick! thanks! trying to revive an old windows 7 laptop. cheers!

Hello everyone with this problem.

im 15 years old and from sweden. my friends allways call me im a proffesional for pc/laptops. and if someone has a problem with his/her pc/laptop they give it to me and i fix thier problem for free. thats why all likes me.

but by the way back to your problem. :)

i had this problem to but i got a solution on this problem. i cant type english so much or i could do a text tutorial here but im not good at english so i have recorded a video about how to fix this problem. For some reason i cant upload it here so if u want to fix you problem add me on skype i can call u if u want or i can send you my video.

Skype: messi____111

Hi,

Sounds like you have serious hard drive issues or other hardware affecting the hard drive.

The main method to fix is to boot with a Windows 7 disk and use the Command Prompt to run :

Chkdsk C: /f /r

(spaces after k , C: , and /f   such as Chkdsk   C:   /f    /r  using just one space each time)

If you need a Windows 7 Repair Disk the method to make one is below. (Of course you can use

a Windows 7 Installation Disk as well.)

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Check this thread for information on using BlueScreenView, MyEventViewer, and other methods to

troubleshoot BlueScreens - top 3 replies (+1 other).

http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/w7repair/thread/c675b7b8-795f-474d-a1c4-6b77b3fcd990

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Bug Check 0xED: UNMOUNTABLE_BOOT_VOLUME

The UNMOUNTABLE_BOOT_VOLUME bug check has a value of 0x000000ED. This indicates that the I/O subsystem attempted to mount the boot volume and it failed.

Important Information If You Have Received a STOP Code

If you have received a blue screen error, or stop code, the computer has shut down abruptly to protect itself from data loss. A hardware device, its driver, or related software might have caused this error. If your copy of Windows came with your computer, call the manufacturer of your computer. If you purchased Windows separately from your computer, Microsoft provides support. To find contact information for Microsoft or your computer manufacturer, Contact Support.

If you have experience with computers and want to try to recover from this error, follow the steps provided in the Microsoft article Resolving STOP (Blue Screen) Errors in Windows.

The following actions might prevent an error like this from happening again:

Download and install updates and device drivers for your computer from Windows Update.

Scan your computer for computer viruses.

Check your hard disk for errors.

BCCode: ED   0x000000ED  <-- read this though its likely hardware error

http://www.faultwire.com/solutions-fatal\_error/UNMOUNTABLE-BOOT-VOLUME-0x000000ED-\*1236.html?order=date

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You can try some of these in Safe Mode - repeatedly tap F8 as you boot (if you can as you can).

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.

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

Also from the COMMAND PROMPT of Recovery Console (if possible) or a Windows 7 disk

Start - type in Search box -  COMMAND   find at top of list -  RIGHT CLICK  -  RUN AS ADMIN

sfc /scannow

How to Repair Windows 7 System Files with System File Checker

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1538-sfc-scannow-command-system-file-checker.html

Then run checkdisk (chkdsk).

How to Run Disk Check in Windows 7

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/433-disk-check.html

Retry Startup Repair after Chkdsk.

If needed after those you can try System Restore from Safe Mode or the Recovery or Windows 7

disk.

How to Do a System Restore in Windows 7

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/700-system-restore.html

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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 needed :

What to do if Windows won't start correctly

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-vista/What-to-do-if-Windows-wont-start-correctly

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

How to Do a Repair Install to Fix Windows 7

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/3413-repair-install.html

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If CheckDisk fails to complete as above or you need to further test the disk :

(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=en

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.