What to do when your PC refuses to boot

Topic

New Reply

	BEST PRACTICES What to do when your PC refuses to boot
	By Lincoln Spector Morning brew in hand, you sit at your PC, press the power button … and nothing happens — no familiar Windows startup screen, not even a BSoD. Computers can fail to boot for various reasons; before you panic, try these troubleshooting tips and procedures.

---

The full text of this column is posted at WindowsSecrets.com/best-practices/what-to-do-when-your-pc-refuses-to-boot/ (paid content, opens in a new window/tab).

Columnists typically cannot reply to comments here, but do incorporate the best tips into future columns.[/td]

[/tr][/tbl]

Reply | Quote

Replies

It has been suggested elsewhere that an inexpensive (maybe free) source of replacement AC adapters for laptops and tablets may be the lost and found office of your larger local hotels and motels. Just ask if they have a box-full you can poke through….

Reply | Quote

In his instructions LS several times says if you do not know how to do something, refer to the relevant manual.

These days all but the most simple electronic devices put the manual online or on the installation disk. In the latter case this makes access impossible when unable to boot the PC.

For this reason I copy all PC manuals to another PC or laptop, so that they always available. In any case, it is easier to work on a problem when able to follow the instructions from another nearby machine.

If one has access to only one PC it might be advisable to print articles such as this and the more important sections of the manual, as a precaution.

Reply | Quote

Why is there no mention of the Windows 7/8 Recovery Environment command Bootrec.exe as described at http://support.microsoft.com/kb/927392? It seems to me that use of this command offers some options that are not available in the System Repair tool.

Reply | Quote

In his instructions LS several times says if you do not know how to do something, refer to the relevant manual.

These days all but the most simple electronic devices put the manual online or on the installation disk. In the latter case this makes access impossible when unable to boot the PC.

For this reason I copy all PC manuals to another PC or laptop, so that they always available. In any case, it is easier to work on a problem when able to follow the instructions from another nearby machine.

If one has access to only one PC it might be advisable to print articles such as this and the more important sections of the manual, as a precaution.

In my community, the Public Library has access to computers, and it is possible to download and put onto USB Flash Drives whatever you may need by way of tools. Other communities may differ.

-- rc primak

Reply | Quote

It has been suggested elsewhere that an inexpensive (maybe free) source of replacement AC adapters for laptops and tablets may be the lost and found office of your larger local hotels and motels. Just ask if they have a box-full you can poke through….

Some Goodwill Resale Shops also have them, really cheap.

-- rc primak

Reply | Quote

I wanted to say thanks for that info, it looks to be a good tool in one’s arsenal that is in the “Always there variety”.

It looks like I get to say Welcome to the Lounge!

Welcome to the Lounge!
😉

🍻

Just because you don't know where you are going doesn't mean any road will get you there.

Reply | Quote