Can only boot into Windows using Last known good configuration

ben_j_davis · 7 Feb 2011 at 12:23

Hi,

About a week ago my netbook decided that it wasn't going to boot into Windows any more. The hard drive light now remains on 100% of the time (obviously grinding away trying to do something.

At the moment only booting with Last Know Good Configuration works. I've tried a system restore, running various virus and spyware scans, large defrags etc but nothing works.

It all started when I did a couple of shut-downs mid windows load.

F8 and 'repair' system also didn't work.

Any suggestions? I've got a Asus Aspire D255 - Intel Atom N450, 2GB ram running Window 7 Starter and Ubuntu 10.10. Windows was pre-installed so I don't have a disk.

Regards,
Ben

SiriusB · 7 Feb 2011 at 12:47

You could give the sfc /scannow command a shot. More detailed information here: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1538-sfc-scannow-command-system-file-checker.html

ben_j_davis · 7 Feb 2011 at 13:50

Thanks I'll give it a try

predator70 · 7 Feb 2011 at 13:51

may need to backup files and reinstall windows

Vince · 7 Feb 2011 at 13:52

last know good config loads a different control set from the registry, there are 3 control sets (current, 1 and 2) you can replace the current control set with one of the others to resolve the issue. When you boot last known config it loads the last control set that sucessfully logged you into windows. since control set 1 is a copy of the current control set you will need to restore control set 2 (the last known good config controlset)

Ill try and find a link....

link to info about the control sets:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/100010

link on restoring the last known good config control set:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/142033

I have done this a few times with sucess so good luck

ben_j_davis · 8 Feb 2011 at 20:50

Thanks so much this seems to have done the trick B-)

Vince · 9 Feb 2011 at 14:49

Great stuff nice to see something work for a change

Edit: btw forgot to ask did sfg /scannow do the job or did you have to edit the registry?

ben_j_davis · 11 Feb 2011 at 15:04

I had tried the scannow first but there didn't seem to be any errors.

I think the problem is being caused by me; quite often a run for the train and I probably shake the HD quite a bit, no wonder it has start-up problems