Well, I shut off my lapop when it was trying to install another Windows update...
Now it won't start up...the options for system restore, and also for repair, eventually end up showing "Fatal Erraor" on 3322 (or something close) of the installation, and that's all it says and a black screen. Am I totally screwed? Thanks.
gvstn
(2,805 posts)And is it 32 or 64 bit (should say on the MS sticker on the laptop). Which brand laptop? Some Dells come with an OS disk which would let you run the recovery environment (not a factory restore disk).
If neither System Restore or Repair will run then I think you will have to download a Recovery Environment file and either put it on a blank CD or an empty USB flash drive (unless you have an OS disk). Then you would boot from that and try to run System Restore. I can give you a link when you give detail of the OS. Or, if you have another computer running the same version of OS you can create a repair disk on that computer to use.
joeybee12
(56,177 posts)It's at home and I'm at work...I'll also look for a disk...
gvstn
(2,805 posts)I think they give Factory Restore discs but those erase everything and install fresh.
Basically the recovery environment will run of a CD or USB drive to let you try to run System Restore. Apparently, you can't even get that far with the way things are running? Or, are you able to select System Restore and then get that error before it completes?
The 32bit vs. 64bit makes a difference as the version has to match the installed OS for it to run.
This is the link to the two versions for Win7 . http://www.forum.probz.net/index.php?/files/category/17-windows-recovery-environment-winre/ They are about 150mb. You have to burn the proper one to either a CD or a USB flash drive. The program to burn them properly so they are bootable is different for each type of device so let us know which you will use CD or USB.
gvstn
(2,805 posts)Is you can try repeatedly hitting F8 during and as the Sony screen ends to get to the Safe Mode options and try to enter Repair Computer (if it exists) from there and also try Last Known Good Configuration if Repair Computer isn't an option.
joeybee12
(56,177 posts)I sort of recall something previously about the F8 screen...it didn't allow me to this time!
gvstn
(2,805 posts)Here are a few screens of the Recovery Environment so you can see what options it will provide.
The top screen is just Safe Mode options and not part of RE.
http://social.technet.microsoft.com/wiki/contents/articles/11028.how-to-access-windows-recovery-environment-in-windows-7.aspx
hobbit709
(41,694 posts)That's why I set update to notify but don't download automatically.
Then you can let it do it's thing without anything interfering with the process..
The other thing is never close the lid on a laptop after telling it to shutdown until it's off. 99% chance of BSOD if you do that.
RC
(25,592 posts)gone for two weeks or what ever or for any reason of my choosing. I am usually powering down because I am leaving. I don't want to come back next week or the week after and find the computer still on. Kinda defeats the purpose of shutting down in the first place.
The first time this happened to me, the cab ride to the airport, for a trip to Hawaii, had just shown up. I needed it to shut down NOW!* Not in 10, 15 minutes.
There were times there was no warning icon in the tray. A surprise, unwanted gift. I will decide when to install any updates. My computer, My operating system. I bought that copy legally. I did not rent or lease the OP.
* I held the power button in till it powered off. I figured I would deal with it when I got back. When I returned, it powered up normally and I had no problems.
Fantastic Anarchist
(7,309 posts)Safe mode, then restore to last system restore date.