Windows 7 Laptop will not boot from DVD either

[molly_dog]

This is a Toshiba Satellite A665-S6094, however the usual rules don't apply because Mfr. OS not installed. Unit has Windows 7 Ultimate installed by previous local repair facility. User has copy of installation disc.

User ran a virus scan (I forget which AV. One that user bought that I've never heard of) after which he was prompted to reboot. Laptop has not booted since. Option to "Boot Windows Normally" or "Repair Windows" results in low-res black screen with active cursor. That's it. No HDD activity, nothing. Dead in the water.

Initially, in trying to boot to SAFE mode it would hang at \CLASSPNP.sys. Tried booting from Win 7 DVD for repair. Get prompt to boot from DVD, press a key, progress bar shows "Loading Windows Files", DVD spools up, "Starting Windows" splash screen, then same low-res black screen with cursor.

Tried dl'ing a Win 7 classpnp.sys file, booted with Ubuntu Desktop, REN'd original to .old & copied new one in to directory. Upon reboot to SAFE mode, it makes it thru all the startup files but then goes to same black screen. WTF?!?

If no solution in next couple of hours, I'm just going to back up user files, DEL Windows dir and reinstall. I don't know what else to do. Thank God for Ubuntu.

I'll go back thru that to scan program files for name of AV and check their site. User said he spent 3.5 hours on phone with AV support but unable to resolve. That's how it wound up on my bench.

Lucky friggin' me! Just finished one that I thought for sure was the antiChrist. Just goes to show, no matter how bad it is it can ALWAYS get worse!

 

[C12Friedman]

With the BGA graphics in the form of a 310M onboard, I'm thinking either reflow or... Possible lucky here, Toshiba has four Display Driver updates (all in the past two weeks) could be as easy as an update or driver roll-back http://support.toshiba.com/support/modelHome?freeText=2759678

 

[molly_dog]

With the BGA graphics in the form of a 310M onboard, I'm thinking either reflow or... Possible lucky here, Toshiba has four Display Driver updates (all in the past two weeks) could be as easy as an update or driver roll-back http://support.toshiba.com/support/modelHome?freeText=2759678

Thanks, but it's not a graphics problem. As I mentioned, I can boot to Ubuntu Desktop via the DVD to manipulate Windows files; backup user files, etc., but Windows itself will not boot at all. Whether opting for "Start Windows Normally", any "Safe Mode" option, even if I try "Repair Windows", all roads lead to a black screen with a cursor that I can move around all day long. Left- or right-clicking does nothing.

Attempting to boot from the DVD is the same result. At the prompt, I press a key to boot from DVD but it winds up in the same place. Reinstalling Windows is looking more and more like my only option but I obviously have to do something drastic to the file system to get it to boot from the DVD.

You mentioned reflow, ironically, I just finished reflowing two HP laptops in which the Radeon chips failed. Worked like a charm.

Thanks again

 

[C12Friedman]

Oops, missed the courser part, was thinking total blank screen... hmm, this will take a little rethought, stay tuned. I'm hoping for an epiphany (or someone else to jump on in here)

 

[molly_dog]

Oops, missed the courser part, was thinking total blank screen... hmm, this will take a little rethought, stay tuned. I'm hoping for an epiphany (or someone else to jump on in here)

Yeah, I know! It seems no one has ever had this exact issue occur. Hard to believe, isn't it? I've gone thru pages of Google returns and every one has been attributed to something else, even if it's Vista or XP.

I've been working on PCs since the mid-90s in one form or fashion and I've never encountered one that wouldn't boot to the OS install disc in a working drive. Just bizarre.

 

[C12Friedman]

I'm wondering... was the windows key mistyped? Have you tried the windows key with the "Slui 4" command? I think I'm reaching but it's all I can come up with

 

[molly_dog]

Sorry I haven't had a chance to come back. Turns out the drive was bad. I don't know how I was able to manipulate files on it via Ubuntu but I was able to save all his files. However, when I tried to boot to a diagnostics disc I got the error that there was no drive to test.

I pulled the drive and connected it via USB to my desktop. Windows recognized the drive and installed drivers for it but, of course, I had to initialize it. When I tried to, I got "Device not ready." After that, I just figured there's no salvaging it. Found a WD 640 GB on eBay and actually won it for $36. I'm expecting it today.

Thanks so much for trying to help. This one has been a booger!

Have a great weekend!

 

[C12Friedman]

Good deal, I don't think I'd even considered the HDD as a possibility there

 

[molly_dog]

Neither did I since I could manipulate data on the drive through Ubuntu. I'd really love to know exactly what failed. Had to have been some irreparable bad sectors or something like that because mechanically, it seemed to be OK. This is definitely one for the books!

Thanks again!

And to anyone else who might read this thread that has encountered this before or is dealing with it currently, please share any info you have! Inquiring minds want to know!!

 

[C12Friedman]

I'm thinking the controller was failing but was trying to hang on as long as possible. I think I might try to swap out the HDD's controller board if a replacement can easily be found.
It would seem to fit as a possibility

 

[molly_dog]

Hmmm, didn't think about that but there again I've never delved that deeply into repairing a drive. I'm guessing the boards are specific to the manufacturer, right? I've got a couple of dead Seagates and maybe a Hitachi, I'd have to look, but no Toshiba\Fujitsu drives.

The town has an electronics recycling program so I don't keep a lot of stuff once it fails. Not even to mention the earful I'd get from the wife! She's had a vendetta against my 1 gallon shop vac since we first moved to Buffalo.

It bears keeping an eye out though just as an experiment/learning experience. Thanks!

 

[C12Friedman]

Yep, the controllers are drive specific, I've amassed a few but almost all are 3.5"