Presario CQ40 Won't Boot into Windows

[cliffflip]

Hi,

My cousin has a Compaq Presario CQ40 (w/ Windows 7 Ultimate 32-bit) which has a serious problem on startup, it shows blank screen with only flashing cursor on top left of the screen after the Compaq logo.

I already tried to load the BIOS setup default but nothing happened. I too have tried to insert my Windows 7 DVD for checking any problem on startup but it won't let me boot from it, just another blank screen with flashing cursor. The only successful method to 'boot' is by using an Ubuntu via flashdrive (Live USB).

Please help.

P.S. She's using Windows 7 from a clean install, without any backup /recovery from pre-installed OS from this notebook.

[erico]

Hi,

In the BIOS do a diagnostic test of the hard disk.

It would help greatly if you posted a the product number or com-lete product name. A partial product name is not so helpful.

Method #1: If the notebook will boot into Windows you can retrieve your Product Number by pressing Fn + Esc key. You can also read the Service Tag (if present) attached to the bottom of your notebook\netbook.

Method #2:
Remove the battery and look in the compartment where the battery was installed. You should see a printed part number and a product name. Please post one or both of them (with all alphanumeric characters here). If you live outside of North America, it helps us if you post the country of purchase.

Best regards,

erico

[ericpol911]

Since you can boot from a usb drive you can download an iso of your version of windows from here.

http://www.mydigitallife.info/official-windows-7-sp1-iso-from-digital-river/

And create a bootable usb from it.

[cliffflip · Accepted solution]

Hi erico & ericpol911 and thanks for your reply.

Actually I have solved it. After I restarted the notebook from live USB I can boot from the Windows DVD (previously I can't) . So I choose 'repair' from the DVD and type 'bootrec /fixboot' and then restart it, and it works.

[erico]

---

@erico wrote:

Hi,

In the BIOS do a diagnostic test of the hard disk.

It would help greatly if you posted a the product number or com-lete product name. A partial product name is not so helpful.

Method #1: If the notebook will boot into Windows you can retrieve your Product Number by pressing Fn + Esc key. You can also read the Service Tag (if present) attached to the bottom of your notebook\netbook.

Method #2:
Remove the battery and look in the compartment where the battery was installed. You should see a printed part number and a product name. Please post one or both of them (with all alphanumeric characters here). If you live outside of North America, it helps us if you post the country of purchase.

Best regards,

erico

---

Great job!

+1 Kudo from me.

Best regards,

erico