Startup Repair cannot repair this computer automatically.

Question

Original title: Startup Repair cannot repair this computer automatically.  I am also unable to boot Windows 7 from my Windows 7 CD.

This afternoon, I was starting to use my computer.  When I tried to bring it out of sleep mode, it wouldn't respond.  I had to power off the computer and restart it.  From there the computer would take me to the Starting Windows section of the Windows 7 boot and then I would experience a black screen.  When I restarted the computer again, I ran the Startup Repair and it couldn't fix the problem.  The problem signatures are listed below.

Problem signature:

Problem Event name : StartupRepairOffline

Problem Signature 01: 6.1.7600.16385

Problem Signature 02: 6.1.7600.16385

Problem Signature 03: unknown

Problem Signature 04: 21201006

Problem Signature 05: AutoFailover

Problem Signature 06: 10

Problem Signature 07: NoRootCause

POS Version: 6.1.7600.2.0.0.256.1

Locale ID: 1033

When I send the information to Microsoft I receive the message: "If you have recently attached a device to this computer, such as a camera or portable music player, remove it and restart your computer.  If you continue to see this message, contact your system administrator or computer manufacturer for assistance."

I haven't had any new devices connected to the desktop but I removed all of the USB devices with the exception of the mouse and keyboard and still had the same results.

The root cause found on the startup repair comes back with "Startup Repair has tried several times but still cannot determine the cause of the problem."

I tried the system restore as well and have run into the same problem.  I ran the Windows Memory Diagnostic and it came back okay.  When I try to boot from the Windows 7 disk the startup repair runs into the same issue.  I tried to call the technical support for the company I purchased the computer from but they are closed until Monday.  Any ideas on where I can proceed from here or am I out of luck until Monday?

Answer 1

I have been suffering the same issue, i have reinstalled windows 7 3 times so far, even changed my O/S for a new one i i thought this was the problem, it wasn't.

I have a fix that works for me, everytime i have been stuck in the startup repair loop this has alowed me back into Windows.

When you are notified that startup repair cannot repair the computer, click dont send then go into the system recovery/repair options, you want to click on "Command prompt" here.

Once in, enter the following commands:

bootrec /fixmbr

followed by:

bootrec /fixboot

Each command entered should give u a confirmation that the operation completed succesfuly, if so, reboot the system and hopefuly windows should boot normally. Not a 100% fix for getting to the route of the problem but this should let you access your system again.

Zak

Answer 2

Hi bryandunning, 

Try booting into the Safe Mode and check if the issue persists.

Safe mode is a troubleshooting option for Windows that starts your computer in a limited state. Only the basic files and drivers necessary to run Windows are started. The words Safe Mode appear in the corners of your monitor to identify which Windows mode you're using.

1.    Restart your computer. Click the Start button, click the arrow next to the Shut Down button, and then click Restart.

2.    Do one of the following:

·         If your computer has a single operating system installed, press and hold the F8 key as your computer restarts. You need to press F8 before the Windows logo appears. If the Windows logo appears, you'll need to try again by waiting until the Windows logon prompt appears, and then shutting down and restarting your computer.

·         If your computer has more than one operating system, use the arrow keys to highlight the operating system you want to start in safe mode, and then press F8.

3.    On the Advanced Boot Options screen, use the arrow keys to highlight the safe mode option you want, and then press Enter.

4.    Log on to your computer with a user account that has administrator rights.

When your computer is in safe mode, you'll see the words Safe Mode in the corners of your monitor. To exit safe mode, restart your computer and let Windows start normally.

To know more information on how to boot into Safe mode visit the following link:

Start your computer in safe mode**http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/Start-your-computer-in-safe-mode**

Method 2: Also scan the Computer for error using chkdsk command in the Command Prompt from the System Recovery Options Menu.

To open the System Recovery Options menu on your computer

1.Remove all floppy disks, CDs, and DVDs from your computer, and then restart your computer using the computer's power button.

2.Do one of the following:

•If your computer has a single operating system installed, press and hold the F8 key as your computer restarts. You need to press F8 before the Windows logo appears. If the Windows logo appears, you need to try again by waiting until the Windows logon prompt appears, and then shutting down and restarting your computer.

•If your computer has more than one operating system, use the arrow keys to highlight the operating system you want to repair, and then press and hold F8.

3.On the Advanced Boot Options screen, use the arrow keys to highlight Repair your computer, and then press **Enter. (**If Repair your computer isn't listed as an option, then your computer doesn't include preinstalled recovery options, or your network administrator has turned them off.)

4.Select a keyboard layout, and then click Next.

5.On the System Recovery Options menu, click a tool**(Command Prompt)** to open it.

6. At the Command Prompt, type: chkdsk /r . Press Enter.

When you restart your system, your computer will be scanned for errors and attempts will be made to correct them.

Refer the following link for more information:

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 the issue persists boot into Advanced Boot options and choose Disable Automatic Restart on system Failure to get the error message(i.e follow the same step as mentioned in Method 1 and choose Disable Automatic Restart on system failure).

Disable automatic restart on system failure

Prevents Windows from automatically restarting if an error causes Windows to fail. Choose this option only if Windows is stuck in a loop where Windows fails, attempts to restart, and fails again repeatedly.

Refer the following link:

Advanced startup options (including safe mode)

**http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Advanced-startup-options-including-safe-mode**

Regards,

Divya R – Microsoft Support

Answer 3

Hi,

Yesterday I experienced almost the same series of events. My pc starts, but Windows 7 (Prof, 64 bit, UK) will just not launch and I also have as final message"Startup repair cannot repair this computer automatically.".After that I can only shut down my pc.

Bryandunning, before I reinstall W7, I wonder if the suggested solution worked out for you.

 Regards,

Teun Sarkol

Answer 4

NoRootCause,

I also did a mem check and chkdsk, no probs found. Also the restores to sevral restore points didn't work, and I couldn't even start in Safe Mode ...

At last I decided to reinstall + do all critical updates, which went well and very easy too :)

However:  "So, it will operate OK randomly, ..." , this is what scares me as well ... I just don't feel like reinstall at random. My previous pc operates on WinXP. Had the pc for 5 years without having to reinstall a single time. Only prob with that one was a too small a C: drive.

Regards,

TeunS

Answer 5

I would like to know as well. Just got a brand new 22" All-In-One AE2220 with Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit. It took a number of tries to get the factory OS to install due to hanging at the Logo stage of the "Starting Windows" screen.

Finally, I got a good install and I was even able to install all Windows updates OK.  But it's only successfully rebooting or starting up from a shutdown once in every 5-10 attempts. I get the same results as posted above when trying System Repair - which says it cannot repair.

Since it's an AIO with Factory provided OS on the drive, I couldn't try much in the way of booting from DVD (didn't come with one), disconnecting devices (everything is built-in), and although It will boot in safe mode, I don't know what to change once I'm there. The Check Disk and Memory Checks pass A-OK.

So, it will operate OK randomly, after selecting "Start Windows Normally" from the black screen, and it's hit and miss that it will come back to life when it goes into suspense mode. What is going on? Is there a fix? I didn't see a "FIX" in the MS response above.