Avast update - PC cannot start

[essexboy]

No but could you now try a boot

[REDACTED]

I forgot to add that it still does not start up.

[CB_Hedricks]

Just a thought - how old is the hard drive?  Sounds like a hardware controller issue (integrated HDD electronics) or failing sectors on the drive platter is preventing the NTLDR to run / load the OS correctly.  I have seen this a few times in the past, the only way the issue was resolved was to purchase a replacement hard disk, install the OS and then transfer user data via USB dock.

As the computer is booting from your Flash Drive successfully the rest of the computer is working as it should, which is good news indeed.

[essexboy]

It looks like you are left with a repair install I am afraid  http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/3413-repair-install.html

[REDACTED]

It looks like you are left with a repair install I am afraid  http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/3413-repair-install.html

Doesn't a repair install for W7 require you to be within W7 ?

From the command prompt could you run the following command
sfc /scannow /offbootdir=e:\  /offwindir=e:\windows
For OP after the offline SFC I would go back to the "Startup Repair" and try again to see if it now does anything...in which case I'd re-run this three times with reboot.

Also, re-reading post this is PC with Asus MOBO ?
I recall isn't some issue with F8....isn't it F5 ?...or try F8 again to make sure....soon as initial PC logo comes up start "tapping" F8
Also, if you get to this console try LAST KNOWN GOOD CONFIG.
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/how-to-start-windows-in-safe-mode/#windows7

If no go (and no backup) then I would use the USB drive with command prompt to copy my important files off the PC and then you will need to re-load O/S.
You can also pull the HDD and use hardware cable to make it a USB HDD to pull all info off: http://www.amazon.com/Drive-Adapter-Converter-Optical-External/dp/B002OV1VJW
Here is where to W7 ISO: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows7
Clean Install: http://pcsupport.about.com/od/operatingsystems/ss/windows-7-clean-install-part-1.htm

Also, I would HIGHLY recommend using a backup software to external USB HDD in future.....as well as making sure "System Restore" within W7 is ON & set to take daily snapshots.
Macrium is EASY & free great software: http://www.macrium.com/reflectfree.aspx  ....I just run a full backup image of my HDD every night while I am asleep.

[REDACTED]

@thekochs  Thanks for your comments, I will look into them when I get back from work.

@CB_Hedricks  the PC has 2 drives, a ssd drive for the operating system and some programs, and a normal drive for data. I previously booted on an Ubunto flash drive and recovered all my data. Problem is that one folder is encrypted. The ssd drive is about 5 or 6 years old. The data drive was replaced about 2 years ago.

@essexboy
Previously I renamed atapi.sys and then did not replace it because the folder did not exixt on the DVD (see thread).
Shouldn't I do something about this?

[essexboy]

No sfc replace the file with a good copy

[REDACTED]

You were explaining how to get the good copy, but the folder didn't exist on the DVD. Is there another source?

[essexboy]

There was one in the windows dllcache which SFC use http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/system_file_checker.mspx?mfr=true

[REDACTED]

I ran sfc /scannow and got the message "There is a system repair pending which requires reboot to complete. Restart Windows and run sfc again". I tried rebooting and running sfc, but got the same message each time.
I tried the suggestions here https://support.4it.com.au/article/how-to-fix-sfc-scannow-there-is-a-system-repair-pending/  but this did not help

@thekochs  I tried sfc /scannow /offbootdir=e:\  /offwindir=e:\windows and after a few minutes got this message "Windows did not find any integrity violations"
I then rebooted and repaired 3 times, no luck.

When the start repair fails it gives an advanced options which requires the admin password. At this stage if I can decrypt the encrypted folder I will be happy.
I tried the cipher command, but it does not recognise this. Any suggestions?

[davexnet]

Here's some info about recovering encrypted files/folders, but I think it depends on you
having a backup of the EFS certificate.
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/recover-encrypted-files-folders#1TC=windows-7

Perhaps this is worth a look, at least it's from a reputable company
http://www.easeus.com/datarecoverywizard/recover-encrypted-data.htm

[REDACTED]

Thanks Dave, I'll look at those.

[REDACTED]

Curious, have you done chkdsk /r from Command prompt ?  ....make sure you have correct drive letter............

Do some reading but you can also try DISM............
https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd744382%28v=ws.10%29.aspx
http://www.windowscentral.com/how-use-dism-command-line-utility-repair-windows-10-image
Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /StartComponentCleanup
Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth (this option may be W8 & above)

[REDACTED]

I'll try that on the weekend, I'm at work now. There was some diagnostic check that checked memory and it passed.