Ikmattie--
I am recommending to try the F8 advanced options first, which means to try
each listing on the menu Safe Mode, Safe Mode with Networking, Safe Mode
with Command, and then Last Known Good last there. One may work if another
does not. The first 3 or used as a vehicle to do a system restore. If you
cannot use these, try Last Known Good Configuration.
I don't use Safe Mode VGA for this. I have put every KB that contexts these
options here for you to look at if you need to.
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserversystem/virtualserver/default.mspx
Follow this if you need to, but again I'm betting heavily on the first five
options I just gave you:
Running Vista under Virtual Server
http://blogs.msdn.com/mikekol/archive/2006/01/11/511810.aspx
"There's no greater high than using an unreleased operating system on a
computer that doesn't exist"
***Your first five options****
These options to recover in Vista are similar to XP although System Restore
is based on a system now from server technology.
1) I'd use the F8 options including the 3 safe modes (I'm omitting VGA for
this purpose) to try to system restore and I would use Last Known Good if
they don't work. I say 3 because sometimes one works when another will not.
If you use safe mode command, the command for system restore is:
%systemroot%\system32\restore\rstrui.exe
This approach in Vista is the same as in XP and is based on Chapter 28 of
the XP resource kit and will soon be adapted to the Vista Resource Kit. The
MSKB that outlines this is here--yes it has XP in the title but these
options are available in Vista and I want you to try them first:
Resources for troubleshooting startup problems in Windows XP [and Vista]
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;308041&Product=winxp
For Anxillary Reference in Vista: System recovery and reliability for IT
Pros
http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/6b79f7be-555e-4fff-af53-c1c90d0a3fc41033.mspx
What to Do if Windows Vista Won't Start Correctly
http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/f768809f-ed90-415f-a83f-89b42108b3551033.mspx
A description of the Safe Mode Boot options in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315222/
How to Use System Restore from a Command Prompt
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/279736/en-us
How to start your computer by using the Last Known Good Configuration
feature in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307852/en-us
2) If these 4 options don't work, you can try a new way to fix Vista, called
Startup Repair which is part of a platform in Vista called Windows Repair
Environment or Win RE.
I'm going to tell you what it can do>going to give you the step by step>
and you have no downside for trying it.
What It Can Do:
If you run Win RE's Startup Repair in Vista, it will try to check and repair
the following and we're taking about under three minutes usually when it
works which is often: (this is not a complete list but a list of major tasks
it can perform):
Registry Corruptions
Missing/corrupt driver files (you don't have to guess here--it looks at all
of them
Missing/corrupt system files (disabled in Beta 2 as is System File Checker
but present newer builds)
Incompatible Driver Installation
Incompatible OS update installations
Startup Repair may offer a dialogue box to use System restore.
How to Use Startup Repair:
Startup Repair: frequently asked questions
http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/5c59f8c1-b0d1-4f1a-af55-74f3922f3f351033.mspx
***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
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
________________________________________________
Good luck,
CH
Ikmattie said:
I've installed Vista on my reasonably up-to-date computer (AMD64 3200+, 1
gb,
200 gb, Ati X1300), installation works fine, after installation, I get to
a
normal logon screen, I login, but then my desktop appears, only with grey
triangles and rectangles, no cursor, no start-bar or whatever, when I
click
on my mouse button, I can see there is something happening, so, windows is
working I guess. But I can't do anything with it. When I press
ctrl-alt-del,
I get a perfect screen, where I can log-off, switch user and look at the
task
list (when I do the last, I get the grey screen again).
I've tried installing it again, but there was no difference.
ikmattie,
Utrecht, Netherlands
