How to repair Vista?

G

Guest

My problems have progressed from invalid/missing/corrupt icons:
http://tinyurl.com/2whpf7

to the Open and Save dialog boxes locking up any program that uses them, and
Explorer doing the same. Very limiting, since most applications load or save
files, or i sometimes want to see my computer.

i've tried System Restore.
i've tried sfc /scannow

All that's left is to try to repair my computer.

i've tried booting from the Windows Vista DVD, and selecting the "Repair My
Computer" option. Unfortunatly, the only choices availabe are:
Startup repair
System Restore
Windows Complete PC Restore
Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool
Command Prompt

None of these are for repairing a computer.

i read that if i try to install Vista in-place as an upgrade: my copy of
Vista will be dclared illegal.

So the question is how do i repair my computer?

Feature regression from Windows XP?
 
R

Rock

My problems have progressed from invalid/missing/corrupt icons:
http://tinyurl.com/2whpf7

to the Open and Save dialog boxes locking up any program that uses them,
and
Explorer doing the same. Very limiting, since most applications load or
save
files, or i sometimes want to see my computer.

i've tried System Restore.
i've tried sfc /scannow

All that's left is to try to repair my computer.

i've tried booting from the Windows Vista DVD, and selecting the "Repair
My
Computer" option. Unfortunatly, the only choices availabe are:
Startup repair
System Restore
Windows Complete PC Restore
Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool
Command Prompt

None of these are for repairing a computer.

i read that if i try to install Vista in-place as an upgrade: my copy of
Vista will be dclared illegal.
Click to expand...

Where did you read that? Several reputable people have posted having
success with doing an in place upgrade to resolve problems. It doesn't make
your system illegal AFAIK.

I have also seen one or two posts where the OP said there were more problems
after it. If the situation is just getting worse it's worth a try. I would
image the system first to an external hard drive using something like
Acronis True Image.
 
C

Chad Harris

Hi Jack--

All your problems could be due to spyware. Make sure you run Defender or if
you have One Care run its spyware scanner and its AV. Run AV program. Most
likely by odds you have software files corrupted; fixing a computer can
entail fixing hdw; fixing software more frequently broken, fixing both, and
making sure your pc has the requirements and the drivers for Vista. You
haven't given details on your HD either but here are 10 ways to fix Vista
below. You looked at Startup Repair by your account but did not use it or
the other ways to fix so please read on:

If no help from SFC, you can try a restore point to before this happened or
you try the steps below if you have a Vista DVD:

Startup Repair will look like this when you put in the Vista DVD:

http://www.vistaclues.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/12/click-repair-your-computer.png

You run the startup repair tool this way (and system restore from here is
also sometimes effective):

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/925810/en-us

How To Run Startup Repair In Vista Ultimate (Multiple Screenshots)
http://www.windowsvista.windowsreinstall.com/vistaultimate/repairstartup/index.htm


I'm going to give you a bunch of links and most of them you won't have to
use, but they are alternative ways to fix Vista.

Right now I want you to put in the DVD and restart. It will automatically
take you to this on your screen:

http://www.vistaclues.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/12/click-repair-your-computer.png

That will allow you to go to the Vista setup that has a Repair link on the
lower left corner>click it and then you'll see a gray backgrounded list and
I want you to click Startup Repair from it and follow the directions.

The gray screen after you click the first link in the above pic will look
like this:

http://www.windowsreinstall.com/winvista/images/repair/staruprepair/Image17.gif

Click Startup Repair, the link at the top and after it scans>click OK and
let it try to repair Vista. It will tell you if it does, and if not

This should work, but if not,then you can follow the alternative ways to fix
this including booting into Safe Mode by tapping the F8 key and using System
Restore.

Directions and links for alternative ways to fix this are below, but I hope
you won't need them:

If you have any questions on getting the Startup Repair done, just post
them.

If you have a Vista DVD try Startup Repair. If that doesn't work, try
SafeMode>System Restore from the Recovery Environment, and you always have
the F8 advanced options ( five of them including Last Known Good
Configuration) and a repair install (with the DVD) as well.

In addition you can use the Bootsect tool to manually repair the boot sector
by accessing the command prompt from the DVD or from F8 and typing at the
prompt:

****Ten Methods to Repair BSOD No Boots or Serious Problems in Windows
Vista****

***Startup Repair and System Restore from the Win Recovery Environment on
the DVD***

You can run Startup Repair by putting your Vista DVD in after theanguage
screen in setup. You can also run System Restore from the same
location.

You run the startup repair tool this way (and system restore from here is
also sometimes effective):

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/925810/en-us

How To Run Startup Repair In Vista Ultimate (Multiple Screenshots)
http://www.windowsvista.windowsreinstall.com/vistaultimate/repairstartup/index.htm

Note The computer must be configured to start from a CD or from a DVD. For
information about how to configure the computer to start from a CD or from a
DVD, see the information that came with the computer.
2. Restart the computer. To do this, click Start, click the arrow next to
the Lock button, and then click Restart.

This usually means that you enter bios setup by whatever key or keys
(sometimes there is more than one key that will do it for your model--go to
pc manufacturer site) and configure CD to be first in the boot order (this
will allow you to boot from the Vista DVD as well):

See for ref:
Access/Enter Motherboard BIOS
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/bios_manufacturer.htm

Boot Order in Bios (Set Boot from HD 1st)
http://www.short-media.com/images/mm/Articles/build_computer/bios/bios03.jpg

Note If you cannot restart the computer by using this method, use the power
button to turn off the computer. Then, turn the computer back on.

3. Set your language preference, and then click Next.

Note In most cases, the startup repair process starts automatically, and you
do not have the option to select it in the System Recovery Options menu.

4. Click Repair your computer.

5. In the System Recovery Options dialog box, click the operating system
that you want to repair, and then click Next.

6. In the System Recovery Options menu, click Startup Repair to start the
repair process.

7. When the repair process is complete, click Finish.

Additional References for Startup Repair With Screenshots:

How to Use Startup Repair:

***Accessing Windows RE (Repair Environment):***

1) Insert Media into PC (the DVD you burned)

2) ***You will see on the Vista logo setup screen after lang. options in the
lower left corner, a link called "System Recovery Options."***

Screenshot: System Recovery Options (Lower Left Link)
http://blogs.itecn.net/photos/liuhui/images/2014/500x375.aspx

Screenshot: (Click first option "Startup Repair"
http://www.leedesmond.com/images/img_vista02ctp-installSysRecOpt2.bmp

How To Run Startup Repair In Vista Ultimate (Multiple Screenshots)
http://www.windowsvista.windowsreinstall.com/vistaultimate/repairstartup/index.htm

3) Select your OS for repair.

4) Its been my experience that you can see some causes of the crash from
theWin RE feature:

You'll have a choice there of using:

1) Startup Repair
2) System Restore
3) Complete PC Restore
___________________

In addition you can use the Bootsect tool to manually repair the boot sector
by accessing the command prompt from the DVD or from F8 and typing at the
prompt:

Bootsect.exe is available from the \Boot\folder of the Windows Vista DVD and
can be run from within System Recovery or Windows XP on a dual boot.


1. Use Bootsect.exe to restore the Windows Vista MBR and the boot code that
transfers control to the Windows Boot Manager program. To do this, type the
following command at a command prompt: Drive:\boot\Bootsect.exe /NT60 All

In this command, Drive is the drive where the Windows Vista installation
media is located.

Note The boot folder for this step is on the DVD drive.
2. Use Bcdedit.exe to manually create an entry in the BCD Boot.ini file for
the earlier version of the Windows operating system. To do this, type the
following commands at a command prompt.

Note In these commands, Drive is the drive where Windows Vista is
installed. • Drive:\Windows\system32\Bcdedit /create {ntldr} –d "Description
for earlier Windows version"

Note In this command, Description for earlier Windows version can be any
text that you want. For example, Description for earlier Windows version can
be "Windows XP" or "Windows Server 2003".
• Drive:\Windows\system32\Bcdedit /set {ntldr} device partition=x:

Note In this command, x: is the drive letter for the active partition.
• Drive:\Windows\system32\Bcdedit /set {ntldr} path \ntldr
• Drive:\Windows\system32\Bcdedit /displayorder {ntldr} –addlast

3. Restart the computer.
____________________________
******Using the BootRec.exe Tool

Using the System Recovery Tool from the Repair link on the DVD after the
language choice in the lower left hand corner you can select command prompt
and you have the following options:

Bootrec.exe (You can use this tool to recover Vista even when you do not
receive the error message that is the title of the 2nd linked MSKB below):

How to use the Bootrec.exe tool in the Windows Recovery Environment to
troubleshoot and repair startup issues in Windows Vista

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/927392/en-us

Error message when you start Windows Vista: "The Windows Boot Configuration
Data file is missing required information"
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/927391/en-us
_____________________________________________________________
***Using the F8 Environment or a Repair Install from the DVD:***

See for ref:
Access/Enter Motherboard BIOS
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/bios_manufacturer.htm

Boot Order in Bios (Set Boot from HD 1st)
http://www.short-media.com/images/mm/Articles/build_computer/bios/bios03.jpg

Repair Install
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/helpandsupport/learnmore/tips/doug92.mspx

Repair Install (Method 2):
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/315341

III Taking Full Advantage of the F8 Options (Windows Advanced Options Menu)
by startin gth ePC and tapping F8 once per second:

You could also:

Think: I have 4 different ways to get back my XP at F8 and try 'em in order.
1) Safe Mode 2) Safe Mode with Cmd to Sys Restore which is simply a cmd
prompt in safe mode 3) Safe Mode with Neworking 4) LKG or Last Known Good
Configuration


Try to F8 to the Windows Adv Options Menu>try 3 safe modes there (I don't
use WGA) and Last Known Good>then I go to Win RE in Vista. That gives you a
choice of Safe Mode, Safe Mode with Networking,and Safe Mode with Command
Prompt.

These methods are outlined in

A description of the Safe Mode Boot options in Windows XP/and Vista
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315222/

How to Use System Restore

http://bertk.mvps.org/

Frequently Asked Questions Regarding System Restore from MSFT:

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/winxppro/plan/faqsrwxp.mspx

Using System Restore

http://tinyurl.com/dvekb

System Restore for Windows XP

http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_restore.htm

How to start the System Restore tool at a command prompt in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;304449


Repair Install: (This option has the best chance of succeeding and it
preserves everything in your OS--you do not lose anything with this option):

Make sure the DVD you have is a Vista DVD

Pitfalls: If the DVD came from friend or relative or P2P, you may have
problems. P2P besides being illlegal in many countries including the U.S.
can be corrupt. If CD came from friend or relative, they may have given
you the CD to use but if product key is in use, MSFT is not going to accept
it for activation. Make sure you clean the CD carefully using proper
cleaning fluid and strokes that radiate from center like spokes on a wheel.

Again a repair install has the most likely chance to succeed in XP, (and can
work in Vista) but you need
to have a Vista DVD.

First, in order to do a Repair Install You must boot to the bios setup and
position booting from the "CD" first in the boot order--it probably will not
say DVD but might.

Booting to Bios Setup:

For 85% of PC's and all Dells you can tap the F2 key to reach bios setup.

How To Enable DVD/CD Rom Support (put CD boot first) in bios setup boot
order:

http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org/how_do_i_enable_cdrom_support_i.htm

Screen Shot of bios setup boot order:
http://www.poy.net/proxy/bios2.jpg

Repair Install Does Not Lose Anything; you may need to try 2-3 times but
that's rare.

How To Repair Install
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315341#XSLTH3127121122120121120120
Screen Shot Repair Install
http://www.windowsreinstall.com/winxppro/installxpcdrepair/indexfullpage.htm

Good luck,

CH
 
R

Ronnie Vernon MVP

Jack

Your Vista installation will not be declared "illegal" if you perform an
upgrade install. You 'might' need to reactivate after the upgrade
installation, but this can be done automatically, over the internet or if
that fails use the telephone option to reactivate and this is just a 5
minute phone call. (The automatic reactivation will succeed if it has been
over 120 days since you last activated)

An upgrade install is the only way that you can "repair" an installation of
Vista. It does have the option to perform a Start Up Repair, but this is
meant for problems with starting the system.

The upgrade install should not affect your data, but it's always a good idea
to backup any critical data prior to performing the upgrade install.

Let us know how this works for you.
 
J

John Barnett MVP

Doing an in place repair, i.e., re-installing Vista over itself, won't make
your copy illegal. I have done an in place repair and the only thing I had
to do was re-activate my copy of Vista. See this link from my website:
http://vistasupport.mvps.org/repair...using_the_upgrade_option_of_the_vista_dvd.htm

--
John Barnett MVP
Associate Expert
Windows - Shell/User

Web: http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org
Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org

The information in this mail/post is supplied "as is". No warranty of any
kind, either expressed or implied, is made in relation to the accuracy,
reliability or content of this mail/post. The Author shall not be liable for
any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages arising out of the
use of, or inability to use, information or opinions expressed in this
mail/post..
 
G

Guest

i read that if i try to install Vista in-place as an upgrade: my copy of
Where did you read that? Several reputable people have posted having
success with doing an in place upgrade to resolve problems. It doesn't make
your system illegal AFAIK.
Click to expand...

John Barnett MVP mentioned it in a few posts.
 
G

Guest

Make sure you run Defender

Defender is running
or if you have One Care run its spyware scanner and its AV.
Click to expand...

OneCare is still beta on Vista (and cannot install with UAC/ie protected
mode/ActiveX disabled).
If no help from SFC,
Click to expand...

sfc found nothing wrong, as it's not a corrupt files issue.
you can try a restore point to before this happened or
Click to expand...

No restore point went that far back
Startup Repair will look like this when you put in the Vista DVD:
Click to expand...

Vista starts fine, and doesn't need startup repairing
I'm going to give you a bunch of links and most of them you won't have to
use, but they are alternative ways to fix Vista.
Click to expand...

i noticed this same text in other posts by someone, perhaps you.
 
G

Guest

Q. How to repair Vista?
A. Perform an upgrade install.

Notes
1. An upgrade install will keep all your settings and programs; nothing will
be lost.
2. Your copy of Vista might get marked as illegal, not registered, or
invalid. You might have to call Microsoft to explain yourself.
3. Make sure you have enough free space to hold a 2nd copy of c:\Windows and
c:\Users while they are migrated.
4. The option "Repair My Computer" is misleading; it should not be used to
try to repair your comupter.
 
J

John Barnett MVP

Yes it will be 'tagged' as illegal but once the copy has been re-activated
the illegal tag will be removed on system re-boot. It's certainly no big
deal.

I image my drive with Acronis True Image, every single time I re-image the
drive back to my hard drive it is tagged as an illegal copy (probably a bug
in Vista, anyway). All I do is simply re-boot and the 'illegal' tag is
removed.

--
John Barnett MVP
Associate Expert
Windows - Shell/User

Web: http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org
Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org

The information in this mail/post is supplied "as is". No warranty of any
kind, either expressed or implied, is made in relation to the accuracy,
reliability or content of this mail/post. The Author shall not be liable for
any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages arising out of the
use of, or inability to use, information or opinions expressed in this
mail/post..
 
C

Chad Harris

Mr. Tripper--

"So the question is how do i repair my computer? " I gave you ten literal
ways with extensive links and screen shots that you ignored. There is no
feature regression from XP, and the Recovery console was often a waste of
time depending on who was using it.

"I read that if i try to install Vista in-place as an upgrade: my copy of
Vista will be dclared illegal." You didn't read it from a source that knew
what it was talking about. If you bought a legal copy of Vista, and are
installing it on one box, you can call activation at MSFT using the number
on the wizard if you run into a snag, or any other number at MSFt and ask
for Vista Activation. It does not take long."


"All that's left is to try to repair my computer.

i've tried booting from the Windows Vista DVD, and selecting the "Repair My
Computer" option. Unfortunatly, the only choices availabe are:
Startup repair
System Restore
Windows Complete PC Restore
Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool
Command Prompt

None of these are for repairing a computer."


WRONG! WRONG! and did I mention WRONG! tHEY ARE PRECISELY FOR THAT, but
if you don't have any appropriate restore points then system restore from a
command prompt won't work. You should appreciate however, when people do
have restore points that are eligible, in XP and in Vista, sometimes one of
the four SR routes at F8 Safe Mode will work when others won't, and also SR
from the Recovery environment on the Vista DVD has been known to work when
the other SR routes will not. Many many people fail to appreciate that
principle and the options it confers.

"Vista starts fine, and doesn't need startup repairing." Starupt Repair is
not just about when Vista won't start--it's the new major repair tool for
Vista as part of Win RE. People have been learning about it on these groups
and using it to fix many broken Vistas that do startup.

How Win RE Works

http://technet2.microsoft.com/Windo...90ce-4457-a23a-359ff2c9b9bf1033.mspx?mfr=true

Psst news flash. The geniuses from Redmond named Startup Repair badly and
as a result, many people like you got the wrong impression (not your fault)
that it only works to help Vista no boots. That's just not the case. It
repairs many systemic problems with Vista besides Vista no boots. I use it
on peoples' boxes all the time when other remedies won't work so you are
remiss in not having used it and a victim of the very bad, confusing and
ambiguous nomenclature that has been a Redmond MSFT tradition for years. If
the word starupt were taken out of the feature and it were explained
properly on the setup link, a lot more people would know to use it. It
particular helps when "no restore point goes back far enough."

You can lead a Tripper to water, but if he doesn't want to drink his Vista
may stay broken and frozen up.

SFC scans thousands of files, reg entries, etc. as I explained but not all
of them. And if you knew that the problem isn't corrupt files, why ain't
you fixed? Why did you ask for our help?

You have significant problems with Vista yet you blow off the ways to fix it
so enjoy your Vista doorstop. It's of your own making because you refuse the
medicine to fix it.

You assert you don't need startup repair, and in that case one wonders why
you came here to ask for help. I gave you all the ways to fix it.

You "don't need startup repair" right? Well you ain't fixed. I think you
do. If SFC did nothing, you should have said thanks much for showing me how
to run it, I'll try the other options you gave me.

One care has RTM'd worldwide for Vista months ago, in fact., and is
available as 1.5XXX for Vista as RTM. You can purchase it on line or in
your favorite store--unless you are living in a country where it isn't.

One Care will shut off Defender if they are running on the same OS including
Vista.

http://windowsonecare.spaces.live.com/blog/cns!C29701F38A601141!3812.entry

January 03, 2007
Windows Live OneCare (v1.5) is released to manufacturing
Welcome back to all those that were on vacation, and a happy new year. As
you may have noticed from relative inactivity in my blogging, it’s been
quite a hectic time here on the product development team. We’ve been hard at
work on our next release, and I am pleased to let you know that we hit an
important milestone right before the end of the year. That is, our
development and test work is done on the next major release of OneCare, and
as we announced about a month ago, it will indeed be available – both at
retail and on the Web - at the end of January. There may be some slight
variations by country, but for the most part, you should be able to download
or buy in just a few weeks. And for those of you who already subscribe, you
need to do – nothing. You’ll automatically receive this major upgrade, just
as you receive minor upgrades throughout the year, as part of your OneCare
subscription.

For all you beta testers, we greatly appreciate the feedback you’ve
provided. This release was particularly challenging with respect to the
testing, since we had to make sure it worked well on a new OS (Windows
Vista), and on many new language platforms. Although we have a great test
team spread around the world, there is no feedback like user feedback, and
we got plenty of it. I am also pleased to know that all of you who wanted to
install OneCare on your non-English PCs will be able to purchase OneCare
officially in your markets. While we don’t cover the whole world, we are
looking forward to creating long-lasting relationships with customers in
nearly 20 countries (and counting).
 
C

Chad Harris

Ronnie--

I have repaired hundreds of major feature Vista problems with Startup Rpair
and it is not confined as the name suggest to only repairing Startup
problems. It does not work 100% of the time, but neither do other
modalities although with XP I have yet to have an inplace upgrade not work,
and rarely it needs to be repeated 2-3 times. But in place upgrade is
certainly not the only modality that will repair Vista and I have included
10 ways to fix Vista below:

How Windows RE Works
http://technet2.microsoft.com/Windo...90ce-4457-a23a-359ff2c9b9bf1033.mspx?mfr=true

Although the link has misleading language that says it's for startup
problems, I included it because it shows the many integral components of
Windows Vista that are repaired and believe me, test it out by breaking
Vista on a test box if you like where it starts but many features do not
work.

****Ten Methods to Repair BSOD No Boots or Serious Problems in Windows
Vista****

I headed this or Serious Problems because these methods including Startup
Repair can do just that. It does not have to be a startup problem for
Startup Repair or the other methods detailed below to work.

Startup Repair will look like this when you put in the Vista DVD:

http://www.vistaclues.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/12/click-repair-your-computer.png

You run the startup repair tool this way (and system restore from here is
also sometimes effective):

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/925810/en-us

How To Run Startup Repair In Vista Ultimate (Multiple Screenshots)
http://www.windowsvista.windowsreinstall.com/vistaultimate/repairstartup/index.htm


I'm going to give you a bunch of links and most of them you won't have to
use, but they are alternative ways to fix Vista.

Right now I want you to put in the DVD and restart. It will automatically
take you to this on your screen:

http://www.vistaclues.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/12/click-repair-your-computer.png

That will allow you to go to the Vista setup that has a Repair link on the
lower left corner>click it and then you'll see a gray backgrounded list and
I want you to click Startup Repair from it and follow the directions.

The gray screen after you click the first link in the above pic will look
like this:

http://www.windowsreinstall.com/winvista/images/repair/staruprepair/Image17.gif

Click Startup Repair, the link at the top and after it scans>click OK and
let it try to repair Vista. It will tell you if it does, and if not

This should work, but if not,then you can follow the alternative ways to fix
this including booting into Safe Mode by tapping the F8 key and using System
Restore.

Directions and links for alternative ways to fix this are below, but I hope
you won't need them:

If you have any questions on getting the Startup Repair done, just post
them.

If you have a Vista DVD try Startup Repair. If that doesn't work, try
SafeMode>System Restore from the Recovery Environment, and you always have
the F8 advanced options ( five of them including Last Known Good
Configuration) and a repair install (with the DVD) as well.

In addition you can use the Bootsect tool to manually repair the boot sector
by accessing the command prompt from the DVD or from F8 and typing at the
prompt:

****Ten Methods to Repair BSOD No Boots or Serious Problems in Windows
Vista****

***Startup Repair and System Restore from the Win Recovery Environment on
the DVD***

You can run Startup Repair by putting your Vista DVD in after theanguage
screen in setup. You can also run System Restore from the same
location.

You run the startup repair tool this way (and system restore from here is
also sometimes effective):

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/925810/en-us

How To Run Startup Repair In Vista Ultimate (Multiple Screenshots)
http://www.windowsvista.windowsreinstall.com/vistaultimate/repairstartup/index.htm

Note The computer must be configured to start from a CD or from a DVD. For
information about how to configure the computer to start from a CD or from a
DVD, see the information that came with the computer.
2. Restart the computer. To do this, click Start, click the arrow next to
the Lock button, and then click Restart.

This usually means that you enter bios setup by whatever key or keys
(sometimes there is more than one key that will do it for your model--go to
pc manufacturer site) and configure CD to be first in the boot order (this
will allow you to boot from the Vista DVD as well):

See for ref:
Access/Enter Motherboard BIOS
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/bios_manufacturer.htm

Boot Order in Bios (Set Boot from HD 1st)
http://www.short-media.com/images/mm/Articles/build_computer/bios/bios03.jpg

Note If you cannot restart the computer by using this method, use the power
button to turn off the computer. Then, turn the computer back on.

3. Set your language preference, and then click Next.

Note In most cases, the startup repair process starts automatically, and you
do not have the option to select it in the System Recovery Options menu.

4. Click Repair your computer.

5. In the System Recovery Options dialog box, click the operating system
that you want to repair, and then click Next.

6. In the System Recovery Options menu, click Startup Repair to start the
repair process.

7. When the repair process is complete, click Finish.

Additional References for Startup Repair With Screenshots:

How to Use Startup Repair:

***Accessing Windows RE (Repair Environment):***

1) Insert Media into PC (the DVD you burned)

2) ***You will see on the Vista logo setup screen after lang. options in the
lower left corner, a link called "System Recovery Options."***

Screenshot: System Recovery Options (Lower Left Link)
http://blogs.itecn.net/photos/liuhui/images/2014/500x375.aspx

Screenshot: (Click first option "Startup Repair"
http://www.leedesmond.com/images/img_vista02ctp-installSysRecOpt2.bmp

How To Run Startup Repair In Vista Ultimate (Multiple Screenshots)
http://www.windowsvista.windowsreinstall.com/vistaultimate/repairstartup/index.htm

3) Select your OS for repair.

4) Its been my experience that you can see some causes of the crash from
theWin RE feature:

You'll have a choice there of using:

1) Startup Repair
2) System Restore
3) Complete PC Restore
___________________

In addition you can use the Bootsect tool to manually repair the boot sector
by accessing the command prompt from the DVD or from F8 and typing at the
prompt:

Bootsect.exe is available from the \Boot\folder of the Windows Vista DVD and
can be run from within System Recovery or Windows XP on a dual boot.


1. Use Bootsect.exe to restore the Windows Vista MBR and the boot code that
transfers control to the Windows Boot Manager program. To do this, type the
following command at a command prompt: Drive:\boot\Bootsect.exe /NT60 All

In this command, Drive is the drive where the Windows Vista installation
media is located.

Note The boot folder for this step is on the DVD drive.
2. Use Bcdedit.exe to manually create an entry in the BCD Boot.ini file for
the earlier version of the Windows operating system. To do this, type the
following commands at a command prompt.

Note In these commands, Drive is the drive where Windows Vista is
installed. • Drive:\Windows\system32\Bcdedit /create {ntldr} –d "Description
for earlier Windows version"

Note In this command, Description for earlier Windows version can be any
text that you want. For example, Description for earlier Windows version can
be "Windows XP" or "Windows Server 2003".
• Drive:\Windows\system32\Bcdedit /set {ntldr} device partition=x:

Note In this command, x: is the drive letter for the active partition.
• Drive:\Windows\system32\Bcdedit /set {ntldr} path \ntldr
• Drive:\Windows\system32\Bcdedit /displayorder {ntldr} –addlast

3. Restart the computer.
____________________________
******Using the BootRec.exe Tool

Using the System Recovery Tool from the Repair link on the DVD after the
language choice in the lower left hand corner you can select command prompt
and you have the following options:

Bootrec.exe (You can use this tool to recover Vista even when you do not
receive the error message that is the title of the 2nd linked MSKB below):

How to use the Bootrec.exe tool in the Windows Recovery Environment to
troubleshoot and repair startup issues in Windows Vista

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/927392/en-us

Error message when you start Windows Vista: "The Windows Boot Configuration
Data file is missing required information"
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/927391/en-us
_____________________________________________________________
***Using the F8 Environment or a Repair Install from the DVD:***

See for ref:
Access/Enter Motherboard BIOS
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/bios_manufacturer.htm

Boot Order in Bios (Set Boot from HD 1st)
http://www.short-media.com/images/mm/Articles/build_computer/bios/bios03.jpg

Repair Install
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/helpandsupport/learnmore/tips/doug92.mspx

Repair Install (Method 2):
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/315341

III Taking Full Advantage of the F8 Options (Windows Advanced Options Menu)
by startin gth ePC and tapping F8 once per second:

You could also:

Think: I have 4 different ways to get back my XP at F8 and try 'em in order.
1) Safe Mode 2) Safe Mode with Cmd to Sys Restore which is simply a cmd
prompt in safe mode 3) Safe Mode with Neworking 4) LKG or Last Known Good
Configuration


Try to F8 to the Windows Adv Options Menu>try 3 safe modes there (I don't
use WGA) and Last Known Good>then I go to Win RE in Vista. That gives you a
choice of Safe Mode, Safe Mode with Networking,and Safe Mode with Command
Prompt.

These methods are outlined in

A description of the Safe Mode Boot options in Windows XP/and Vista
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315222/

How to Use System Restore

http://bertk.mvps.org/

Frequently Asked Questions Regarding System Restore from MSFT:

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/winxppro/plan/faqsrwxp.mspx

Using System Restore

http://tinyurl.com/dvekb

System Restore for Windows XP

http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_restore.htm

How to start the System Restore tool at a command prompt in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;304449


Repair Install: (This option has the best chance of succeeding and it
preserves everything in your OS--you do not lose anything with this option):

Make sure the DVD you have is a Vista DVD

Pitfalls: If the DVD came from friend or relative or P2P, you may have
problems. P2P besides being illlegal in many countries including the U.S.
can be corrupt. If CD came from friend or relative, they may have given
you the CD to use but if product key is in use, MSFT is not going to accept
it for activation. Make sure you clean the CD carefully using proper
cleaning fluid and strokes that radiate from center like spokes on a wheel.

Again a repair install has the most likely chance to succeed in XP, (and can
work in Vista) but you need
to have a Vista DVD.

First, in order to do a Repair Install You must boot to the bios setup and
position booting from the "CD" first in the boot order--it probably will not
say DVD but might.

Booting to Bios Setup:

For 85% of PC's and all Dells you can tap the F2 key to reach bios setup.

How To Enable DVD/CD Rom Support (put CD boot first) in bios setup boot
order:

http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org/how_do_i_enable_cdrom_support_i.htm

Screen Shot of bios setup boot order:
http://www.poy.net/proxy/bios2.jpg

Repair Install Does Not Lose Anything; you may need to try 2-3 times but
that's rare.

How To Repair Install
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315341#XSLTH3127121122120121120120
Screen Shot Repair Install
http://www.windowsreinstall.com/winxppro/installxpcdrepair/indexfullpage.htm

Good luck,

CH
 
C

Chad Harris

Hi Brink--

I included instructions for him to use SFC and detailled description of the
evolution of SFC to what it is now in Windows Vista (see resource kit
discussion for more context) in my post 10 hours priior.

SFC in Vista has evolved to become part of WRP or Windows Resource
Protection. To quote from p. 68 of the Vista Resource Kit MSFt Press:

"Windows Vista protects system settings from corruptions or inadvertent
changes that can cause the system to run correctly or to not run at all.
Windows Resource Protection (WRP), the follow-on to Windows File Protection
(WFP) feature found in previous Windows platforms, sets tight ACLs on
critical system settings, files, and folders to protect them from changes by
any source (including administrators) excepat a trusted installer. This
prevents users from changing critical system settings that can render
systems inoperable.

Windows Vista also prevents poorly writtne drivers from corrupting the
registry. This protection enables the memory-management componet to achgieve
protection the vast majority of the time with low overhead.

Protected resources include:

Executable files, libraries, and other critical files installed by windows
(Ed. note in the thousands)

Critical folders

Essential registry keys installed by Windows Vista

WRP will not allow you to modify protected resources, even if you provide
administrative credentials. Access will always be denied."

The next discussion in the Resource Kit on page 69 includes a detailed
description of MIC, an adjunct to WRP in Vista (Manditory Integrity
Control).

It's a very underused valuable way to fix Windows, IE in Windows, OE in
Windows XP, Win Mail in Windows Vista, multiple corrupt files (it scans
thousands but not all) and corrupt registry values and subkeys as I
explained. It has been strenthened in Vista.

CH
 
R

Ronnie Vernon MVP

Chad

Noted, and your right, many times a start up problem can be mis-diagnosed as
a general OS corruption and start up repair does go beyond just repairing
things that only effect start up problems.

You have some good links there, but I think you need to remove the
references to the XP support documents. This could have the effect of
confusing the issue since Vista does not have a reference to a "repair
installation" like XP did.
 
C

Chad Harris

RonnieThanks.

I thought I had eliminated anything referenceing XP that does not apply to
Vista. I know I went over my Seed Vista links and removed references that
might not apply to Vista, but I kept in the link to Black Viper's processes
because they had enough of the same processes characterized for XP that also
exist in Vista although of course there are new ones added to Vista.

As I look over this list, I did use a repair install link from Doug Knox and
one from the MSKBs for the inplace upgrade, but only because there aren't
any labled for Vista that I can find anywhere.and the steps are literally
the same, buit I will qualify them with that explanation in the future.

Repair Install (for XP or Vista)
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/helpandsupport/learnmore/tips/doug92.mspx

Repair Install (Method 2): (for XP or Vista)
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/315341

The F8 options in Vista are the same as XP, and the link for Safe Mode Boot
options is labled XP by MSFT but they are the same for Vista (they haven't
updated to add Vista to the title as they have with several MSKBs that apply
to both.

I see a system restore for XP link from Kelly's site

System Restore for Windows XP (nothing in the articles that doesn't apply to
Vista as to use of System Restore although the restore points are of course
from a different platform architecturally in Vista that was adapted from the
Windows server environment. (VSS).

http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_restore.htm

but aside from qualifying that it's articles can apply to Vista I don't see
anything that doesn't. I don't see any references in there to the points
that would be contradicted by the VSS methodology or anything new that
exists for them in Vista.

I need to point out on this one that it applies to Vista (I've used that
command in Vista from the cmd prompt at the same Recovery link on the DVD
also applies to Vista. I wanted to stress that sometimes system restore
won't work from one type of Safe Mode @ F8 and will work from access to
other safe modes, or from the Vista Recovery environment.

How to start the System Restore tool at a command prompt in Windows XP (and
Vista)

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;304449

I don't see anything here except the lable that doesn't apply to Vista

How To Enable DVD/CD Rom Support (put CD boot first) in bios setup boot
order:

http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org/how_do_i_enable_cdrom_support_i.htm

If you did notice something I didn't that applies to XP that does not apply
to Vista except that I need to refine the labelling to indicate it applies
to Vista, by all means please let me know and I'll change them. Confusion
is the last thing I want to convey when someone is tired and frustrated
trying to fix serious problems/or a no boot.

CH
 
K

klintb

Nope your very first 2 links apply to XP only. If someone knows a way
to do this in Vista for real please provide the method. Here is the
question..

How do you do an upgrade install without an OS that you can get into
in safe mode or otherwise? For some stupid reason Vista will not let
you upgrade install if you boot from the DVD like XP used to.
 
P

peter

I did this last week when I could not get services running.
Using an Upgrade version of Vista Home premium I started the install process
by booting from the Disk and installed into the Vista Folder that was
already there.
During the install I entered the Serial Number and after the install I
activated Vista again.
peter
 
K

klintb

So the million dollar question is did this method retain your settings
or wipe out everything? I only have a full ultimate version.
 

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