Computer will start up, but I can't log in

[vip3rpilot]

A few days ago, I tried to boot up my laptop (Lenovo G550) and, while I was able to turn it on, I am unable to reach the log-in screen. When I turn it on it takes me to a Windows Error Recovery screen. I have seen this screen before and have never had trouble logging in afterwards, but this time I cannot. The screen gives me two options: Launch Startup Repair (recommended) and Start Windows Normally. If I choose Start Windows Normally, it gives me the typical Windows 7 startup screen, with the Windows logo above it, and then after a few minutes of this startup screen, flashes blue (there is text here; it looks like the Blue Screen of Death but it flashes too quickly for me to read it) and then takes me back to the Windows Error Recovery screen. If I choose Launch Startup Repair, it gives me a different startup screen (I think it looks like the old XP screen, with a green progress bar instead of the Windows logo?) and then goes to a black screen that lasts for quite a long time. Eventually it goes to what looks like the Windows 7 log-in screen (it has the same blue background and design) but no log-in box is supplied, and it's just the log-in background screen and a mouse cursor, but with nothing to click. After a few moments of this, the harddrive light turns off, and it remains on this screen until I force it to shut down. (And on the most recent time I tried to turn it on, I got to the black screen, and the harddrive light turned off here and I can't even get to the blank log-in screen.)

I'm not really sure what to do. Has anybody encountered this before? Any suggestions for how I can fix it? Thanks!

 

[claptonman]

Sounds like a windows problem or a bad hard drive.

First, find out what hard drive you have. You can do that by either looking it up online or finding the actual physical drive. (Would be under your laptop. Might need a screwdriver.)

Once you find the make and model, go to that company's website and download the diagnostics tool. Burn it to a CD-R and boot to it. See if your hard drive is failing.

Other option would be to reinstall everything. If you still have the product key on the computer somewhere, you can still use that key. Download the windows ISO here:

http://www.mydigitallife.info/downl...cial-32-bit-and-64-bit-direct-download-links/

Be sure to choose your operating system. (most likely win7 home premium 64-bit)

Burn the image to a DVD-R and boot to it and reinstall windows.