📎 AI Summary:
The thread discusses a user experiencing a startup loop after attempting to revert from Windows 10 to an earlier version, likely Windows 7, on a Toshiba Satellite laptop. The user is unfamiliar with recovery partitions and finds the recovery options unavailable, resulting in a missing ntldr error and an inability to boot properly. Other contributors suggest that the recovery partition may be gone, and recommend rebuilding the system from scratch, while the original poster inquires about possible data recovery options.
The thread discusses a user experiencing a startup loop after attempting to revert from Windows 10 to an earlier version, likely Windows 7, on a Toshiba Satellite laptop. The user is unfamiliar with recovery partitions and finds the recovery options unavailable, resulting in a missing ntldr error and an inability to boot properly. Other contributors suggest that the recovery partition may be gone, and recommend rebuilding the system from scratch, while the original poster inquires about possible data recovery options.
Solution
Hi
Does the computer still have it's recovery partition?
Mike
Does the computer still have it's recovery partition?
Mike
bochane
Essential Member
So your recovery partition has gone. There is nothing else left then rebuilding from zero, I think
bochane
Essential Member
Yes, you may try booting a live rescue OS on CD / USB, see for instance KNOPPIX Linux Live CD
Or go to a repair shop for that job
When it says it is looking for ntldr, it is looking at the MBR of a drive and expecting to find an XP type bootloader. Since Bootmgr has been used since Vista, possibly the bios is not seeing the correct drive.
If you cannot access the Bios or some type of Boot device menu to adjust the system to boot to a Windows Boot Manager, I suppose you are stuck... I have been unable to tell if such a situation is caused by the OEM boot setting utility being overwritten or something else. But try hitting the keys and do it very, very early in the boot scenario and keep tapping.
It is basically impossible for us to tell the exact situation, but if you could boot to any install media, it might give you some options. I don't think you are the only one recently to have this exact same situation.
If you cannot access the Bios or some type of Boot device menu to adjust the system to boot to a Windows Boot Manager, I suppose you are stuck... I have been unable to tell if such a situation is caused by the OEM boot setting utility being overwritten or something else. But try hitting the keys and do it very, very early in the boot scenario and keep tapping.
It is basically impossible for us to tell the exact situation, but if you could boot to any install media, it might give you some options. I don't think you are the only one recently to have this exact same situation.
Hi
If you were running Windows 7 and you have a sticker on your laptop that has your Windows Serial Number on it, then you may be able to download an ISO file for Windows 7, (you will have to know what version you had, Home, Pro, etc., 32 or 64 bit) then you can make a bootable install disk that will reinstall Windows 7 from scratch.
Download Official Windows 7 SP1 ISO ( 32bit / 64bit ) from Microsoft
Once you have it saved on the computer you are using to download it, you will have to write it to a disk using ImgBurn, (free software) that you can also download.
The Official ImgBurn Website
Use the function "Burn image file to disk".
Select the ISO file as the source and the DVD drive as the target.
Link Removed
You should end up with a DVD that you can insert into your computer that will reinstall Windows 7.
Mike
I just noticed that you said that you updated from Windows 8, but tried to go back to Windows 7.
If you were using the recovery application built into Windows 10 it will only go back to the OS it was updated from.
And the serial number on you Windows sticker on you computer will be for the operating system that was installed when the computer was new.
If it was 8 that's what you have to reinstall.
Here's some information on how to enter the bios setup on a Toshiba Laptop...
Toshiba Satellite BIOS keysequence? - Tech Support Forum
If you were running Windows 7 and you have a sticker on your laptop that has your Windows Serial Number on it, then you may be able to download an ISO file for Windows 7, (you will have to know what version you had, Home, Pro, etc., 32 or 64 bit) then you can make a bootable install disk that will reinstall Windows 7 from scratch.
Download Official Windows 7 SP1 ISO ( 32bit / 64bit ) from Microsoft
Once you have it saved on the computer you are using to download it, you will have to write it to a disk using ImgBurn, (free software) that you can also download.
The Official ImgBurn Website
Use the function "Burn image file to disk".
Select the ISO file as the source and the DVD drive as the target.
Link Removed
You should end up with a DVD that you can insert into your computer that will reinstall Windows 7.
Mike
I just noticed that you said that you updated from Windows 8, but tried to go back to Windows 7.
If you were using the recovery application built into Windows 10 it will only go back to the OS it was updated from.
And the serial number on you Windows sticker on you computer will be for the operating system that was installed when the computer was new.
If it was 8 that's what you have to reinstall.
Here's some information on how to enter the bios setup on a Toshiba Laptop...
Toshiba Satellite BIOS keysequence? - Tech Support Forum
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