Hello—
This post is for my personal computer. I use it at home for a 2<sup>nd</sup> job and I’m in a bad way and can really use some help. I am an IT tech so I will list all the steps I have taken already at the end of this post—so that is why I’m looking for expert advice.
About a week ago I had to replace my Windows 7 Pro 64-bit system hard drive for bad sectors. I used Achronis to do a complete backup prior, and the HD swap and data restore went well. I was able to use my computer for about a week with no problems as all.
On Friday night, I used my computer briefly and shut it down for the night. The next morning when I booted my computer, it took a long time after I entered my password, and then it acted as if it was the first time I logged on with a new user account. IE 11 started its initial setup wizard, etc. None of my profile settings were there and I eventually got a message that the system was using the default system profile.
I then started getting error pop-up windows that there was no program associated with critical system files like cmd.exe, regsys32.exe, rundll, etc. etc. Too many to write them all down. Basically, not only was my profile hosed, but the system was hosed too.
I cannot access the command window. I cannot get to computer management to create a new account, and there is no system restore point because I had just restored all of my data after switching hard drives (my bad there—lesson learned).
This computer happens to also have a dual boot with Windows XP on a separate physical drive. Whether I am in the hosed W7 boot or the WXP boot I am able to browse to all of my data files on the Windows 7 drive—so I know they’re there.
Here is what I’ve tried already:
System restore from recovery disk= there is no restore point created
Create a new profile = I can’t open Computer Manage to create an account, hosed
Windows sfc /scannow = I can’t open a command prompt
Chkdsk = doesn’t find any errors—didn’t help
Windows repair from Windows 7 install disk = says it can’t find the drivers for the CD/DVD drive.= It’s an older PC and I can’t find drivers online. I asked the computer manufacturer and they haven’t replied yet—too soon.
Please help. I’m fighting being totally stressed from this.
Thanks!
Stephen Davis