Difference between revisions of "Fix a PC Which Won't Boot"
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#Click one of the following links based on what happens. | #Click one of the following links based on what happens. | ||
#*[[Fix-a-PC-Which-Won%27t-Boot#Fixing_a_PC_That_Won.27t_Start_sub|'''No response''']] - Click here if you can't hear any fans starting and can't see anything on the screen, or the computer starts for a moment and then freezes or turns off. | #*[[Fix-a-PC-Which-Won%27t-Boot#Fixing_a_PC_That_Won.27t_Start_sub|'''No response''']] - Click here if you can't hear any fans starting and can't see anything on the screen, or the computer starts for a moment and then freezes or turns off. | ||
| − | #*[[Fix-a-PC-Which-Won%27t-Boot#Fixing_POST_Problems_sub|'''Beep code or POST failure message''']] - Click here if your computer doesn't pass the POST (Power On Self Test). This is usually indicated by the lack of a beep and a failure message, or by a series of beeps to indicate an error code.<ref>http://www.computerhope.com/beep.htm</ref> | + | #*[[Fix-a-PC-Which-Won%27t-Boot#Fixing_POST_Problems_sub|'''Beep code or POST failure message''']] - Click here if your computer doesn't pass the POST (Power On Self Test). This is usually indicated by the lack of a beep and a failure message, or by a series of beeps to indicate an error code.<ref name="rf15980">http://www.computerhope.com/beep.htm</ref> |
#*[[Fix-a-PC-Which-Won%27t-Boot#Fixing_Windows_Boot_Issues_sub|'''Operating System Not Found''' or '''BOOTMGR is missing''']] - Click here if your computer completes its startup sequence but fails to load Windows. | #*[[Fix-a-PC-Which-Won%27t-Boot#Fixing_Windows_Boot_Issues_sub|'''Operating System Not Found''' or '''BOOTMGR is missing''']] - Click here if your computer completes its startup sequence but fails to load Windows. | ||
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===Fixing POST Problems=== | ===Fixing POST Problems=== | ||
| − | #Listen to the beep code. If you're "lucky", your computer will issue a series of beeps when it fails to turn on. Look up your motherboard's manufacturer and find the beep code translations. Knowing what the codes mean will make tracking down the problem much easier.<ref | + | #Listen to the beep code. If you're "lucky", your computer will issue a series of beeps when it fails to turn on. Look up your motherboard's manufacturer and find the beep code translations. Knowing what the codes mean will make tracking down the problem much easier.<ref name="rf15980" /> |
#*Beep codes are unfortunately different for every manufacturer, so you'll need to search for them yourself. | #*Beep codes are unfortunately different for every manufacturer, so you'll need to search for them yourself. | ||
#*[[Identify-the-Motherboard|Click here for instructions on identifying your motherboard]]. | #*[[Identify-the-Motherboard|Click here for instructions on identifying your motherboard]]. | ||
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===Fixing Windows Boot Issues=== | ===Fixing Windows Boot Issues=== | ||
| − | #Open the Advanced Startup menu (Windows 7 and later). If you are having problems loading Windows, you can try to fix it using Startup Repair. This is accessible from the Advanced Startup menu if you are using Windows 7 or later. If you are using Windows Vista or XP, you'll need to [[Boot-a-Computer-from-a-CD|boot from the installation disc]] to access the Startup Repair tools.<ref>http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-vista/how-do-i-fix-a-boot-startup-problem</ref> | + | #Open the Advanced Startup menu (Windows 7 and later). If you are having problems loading Windows, you can try to fix it using Startup Repair. This is accessible from the Advanced Startup menu if you are using Windows 7 or later. If you are using Windows Vista or XP, you'll need to [[Boot-a-Computer-from-a-CD|boot from the installation disc]] to access the Startup Repair tools.<ref name="rf15981">http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-vista/how-do-i-fix-a-boot-startup-problem</ref> |
#*You can open the Advanced Startup menu by repeatedly pressing {{keypress|F8}} as the computer starts up. | #*You can open the Advanced Startup menu by repeatedly pressing {{keypress|F8}} as the computer starts up. | ||
#*If you can't access the Advanced Startup menu, you may have a problem with your hardware. See the above sections for troubleshooting your boot issues. | #*If you can't access the Advanced Startup menu, you may have a problem with your hardware. See the above sections for troubleshooting your boot issues. | ||
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#Log in with your administrator account. You will be prompted to log in before you can start the repair process. | #Log in with your administrator account. You will be prompted to log in before you can start the repair process. | ||
#Select "Startup Repair". Windows will scan for problems related to booting the operating system and will attempt to fix them automatically. Your computer will likely reboot during this process, possibly multiple times. | #Select "Startup Repair". Windows will scan for problems related to booting the operating system and will attempt to fix them automatically. Your computer will likely reboot during this process, possibly multiple times. | ||
| − | #*If Startup Repair fixes something, it is highly recommended to run it at least two more times before trying to boot normally. Chances are it will fix something else when it runs again.<ref>http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/219533-troubleshooting-windows-7-failure-boot.html</ref> | + | #*If Startup Repair fixes something, it is highly recommended to run it at least two more times before trying to boot normally. Chances are it will fix something else when it runs again.<ref name="rf15982">http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/219533-troubleshooting-windows-7-failure-boot.html</ref> |
#Perform a "System Restore" if Startup Repair fails. Startup repair may suggest performing a System restore, or you can select it from the main Repair menu. System Restore will provide several dates that you can try rolling back to. | #Perform a "System Restore" if Startup Repair fails. Startup repair may suggest performing a System restore, or you can select it from the main Repair menu. System Restore will provide several dates that you can try rolling back to. | ||
#*Always try the most recent date available first, and the move backwards until you find a working restore point. | #*Always try the most recent date available first, and the move backwards until you find a working restore point. | ||
