Windows Vista Windows Vista unable to run anything

Hi all,

My parents laptop recently refused to startup so they asked me to take a look at it. The system will turn on, however, on the vista loading bar, it just goes into a continuous loop as if it's loading, but sticks there.

I've tried multiple things:
•Windows Startup Repair - Just runs the "windows is loading" screen, then does nothing
•Windows Recovery Centre - Just runs the "windows is loading" screen, then does nothing
•Safe mode (Regular, networking and command prompt) - Seems to load all the drivers etc, but when it gets to the last one it sticks for a few minutes then the laptop restarts
•Windows memory diagnostic - Froze when running the diagnostic.

None of these will startup, so I'm unable to get into the system. I'm not able to reinstall Windows as its a recovery partition on the drive, with an application when on the desktop able to be run to do so. I could do it find Windows recovery center, but as previously stated this doesn't run either.

My initial thought was that it's possibly hard drive failure, but I can't think of any ways to try this. I'm not at home right now, so I'm unable to download a Linux live disk unless I really need to as I don't really wanna use my uncles download limits up.

However, because the operating system seems to start loading, obviously the hard drive is able to be accessed, so to me that doesn't indicate hard drive failure.

The laptop is a Sony Vaio, I can check the model and try to give any specs you may need if you need them.

Cheers,
Chris

 

Seems like hardware [memory] problem to me.

If you could download/get a bootbale Linux Cd, it can it least point out whats wrong.

 

I done that not long after I posted this thread. I downloaded Ubuntu live and followed instructions on booting it via a USB, but to no prevail. Whilst it began booting, it gave me the option of trying before installing, installing, etc etc. I select "try before installing" it loaded the relevant files and then when it had the desktop background showing, it done nothing.

I've read up a bit more online since posting this also, and it appears that a lot of people have had this issue following an automatic update from Windows.

As with safemode, which is how I found the automatic update reports, it's because on all three safemode options it gets stuck on "crcdisk.sys" and then either sits there or goes into a continious loop of restarting.

 

Most definitely a hardware problem.

Is it in warranty ?

 

Not sure, I can't remember when it was purchased. I'm going to try a different Linux distro, if it doesn't load the live CD for it properly I'll attempt to dual-boot Linux to try and rule out hard drive failure.

Is there a way of running Windows Startup Repair or Windows Recovery via a USB stick? I have an OEM Vista disk in Swindon, but I'm in Southampton till Friday so can't use that right now.

 

As I pointed out earlier, it seems to be hardware related. Windows Startup Repair or Windows recovery is NOT going to work.

Better take it down to Sony service station & have them take a look at it.

 

Would it deffinately be a hard drive failure when the access light flashes? Once it gets to the black screen after "Windows is loading" it stops, but when attempting to load safemode, even whilst it's stuck on crcdisk.sys, the access light is flashing.

 

Could be. Hard to tell without running utils. If you know the hdd manufacturer, goto its site & download the util to test it out.

 

Trying to find that out now, I think I have a copy of Spinrite somewhere which I'll use if I can find it.

 

If you are having trouble booting to any operating system, I would try "resetting" the computer.

You could go into the BIOS (startup configuration settings) and look for something like "Reset to Defaults ".

For the laptops that I am familiar with, a "hardware" (CMOS) reset is to remove all power sources (charger and battery), then press and hold down the power-on button for at least 30 seconds.

Matt

 

BIOS are all at their defaults, other than when I was setting it to boot from USB I didn't change BIOS settings. After my attempts of booting Linux, and trying Spinrite, I set them all back to their default values.

I tried the CMOS reset, but now rather than loading at all it just shows a black screen. The Motherboard screen at the start doesn't give anything, and then it just sticks on a black page.

 

The "black page ", I have come across that, I don't remember the details, but you are narrowing down the problem areas. Try your resets in the BIOS again.

Run the Hard Disk Drive testing utility as rsinfo suggested. To find the utilities look up the HDD information in the BIOS. The HDD should be listed with it's model number. Do a websearch on that model number and it should come up with the manufacturer's information and downloads.

Matt

 

Unfortunately, I won't be able to do anything on the laptop as long as this black screen persists. It comes as soon as I turn on the laptop. The power light comes on and what not, so there is power going to the laptop. The HDD access light flashes a few times then stops, and the battery light is active.

I know it's nothing to do with the laptop screen itself, as I have tried connecting another monitor to the laptop but it doesn't recieve a signal, so that rules out screen damage or a damaged backlight.

I'm back in Swindon now, so I put my Windows Vista disk in to see if that would bring anything up on the screen, but to no avail.

I have also tried doing the hardware reset again a few times, but nothing has changed since the first time I done it and was presented with this black screen.

 

I was thinking the black screen was after the first (Sony) splash screens. If you don't see anything on the screen, then I agree with rsinfo that it appears to be a hardware issue. The CMOS reset is the only thing I know that you could try.

Time to take it to the repairer.

 

I'll see if I can find a cheap enough repair centre, as the warranty was only a year long and the laptops about four years older now, and neither I nor my parents fancy paying over the odds for a repair.

I have an old laptop that I can sort out for them and use that to also find out if that hard drive is busted. If I find anything out I'll fix the Sony otherwise I'll leave it.

Thanks for the help guys, greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks for the update.

I thought about a suggestion. If you feel up to it, find all the places where you can access the hardware, for example, you should be able to access the HDD, just try disconnecting and reconnecting it. I just wonder about a loose connection. Also try other things like the RAM and also the DVD drive should be removable. You can check your User Guide for upgradable parts and reseat those.

At work, I have been amazed by the number of laptops that have been given to me saying "the touchpad doesn't work ". I just take off the palmrest, reconnect the touchpad connector and it is fine again. [Although I suspect the users treat it as the "WACKpad" ]

Matt
I will mark the thread as Resolved, but please come back and tell us of any further information.