daknetworks.com

How I got there:

• user shutdown computer via START > SHUTDOWN.
• computer started to load 8 updates during shutdown.
• user didn't want to wait and hard shutdown pc by holding power button.
• slap forhead.
• boot into normal mode. Result: takes forever and then reboots (about an hour).
• boot into safe mode. Result: takes forever to load and then reboots (about an hour).
• same result for safe mode with command line.
• boot from WINDOWS 7 CD. Click REPAIR YOUR COMPUTER. It goes to SEARCHING FOR WINDOWS INSTALLATIONS and stays for long time (I hard shutdown at about 1 hour).

What to do:

1 - MAKE BACKUP OF YOUR DATA.
In running a CHECKDISK, you are risking that an error will be discovered and the disk will refuse to run or start clicking.
You can easily use a KNOPPIX CD to access and transfer the data.

2 - MAKE BACKUP OF YOUR DATA.
Yes, this is in twice because the data is important. In running a CHECKDISK, you are risking that an error will be discovered and the disk will refuse to run or start clicking.
You can easily use a KNOPPIX CD to access and transfer the data.

3 - RUN A CHECKDISK

• boot from WINDOWS 7 CD.
• choose language & keyboard.
• press SHIFT + F10.
• a command prompt opens.
• type: chkdsk c: /R

4- RENAME THE WINDOWS UPDATE

• type: Ren c:\windows\winsxs\pending.xml pending.old

5 - RUN A SYSTEM FILECHECK

• type: CD /D C:
• type: SFC /SCANNOW /OFFBOOTDIR=C:\ /OFFWINDIR=C:\WINDOWS
• reboot to WINDOWS 7 CD.
• type: SFC /SCANNOW /OFFBOOTDIR=C:\ /OFFWINDIR=C:\WINDOWS
• reboot to WINDOWS 7 CD.
• type: SFC /SCANNOW /OFFBOOTDIR=C:\ /OFFWINDIR=C:\WINDOWS
• reboot to hard drive.
• yes 3 times. The above is NOT a typo.

In my particular case, the CHKDSK found and error and refused to proceed. A hard shutdown was performed. Upon reboot, the drive started clicking. The drive is now at a data recovery center.

NOTE: Thank you to to the following link:http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/219533-troubleshooting-windows-7-failure-boot.html