VISTA WILL NOT START

[Leebo]

Hi can any one help I have vista on my Sony VIO and all has been well for the
last 6 months but yesterday I turned the laptop on and the Sony screen came
on as usual but then insted of windows starting I have just a black screen
with a flashing cursor in the top left corner, any ideas ?

 

[Leebo]

How do I start in safe mode?

start vista in safe mode and do a system restore

 

[Malke]

How do I start in safe mode?

Get into Safe Mode by repeatedly tapping the F8 key as the computer is
starting up. This will get you to the right menu. Navigate using your Up
arrow key; the mouse will not work here. Log into your user account and do
a System Restore.

To run System Restore, go to the Start Orb and in the Start Search box type
"System Restore" without the quotes. System Restore will appear in the
Programs result. Click on it, allow the UAC prompt, and follow the wizard.

If you can't get into Safe Mode, you can run System Restore from the Vista
DVD.

How to run System Restore from the Vista DVD repair options:
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/tutorial142.html
http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/using-windows-vista-system-restore/
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/940765

For people who only have a restore image instead of a real Vista DVD -
Windows Vista Recovery Disc Download:
http://neosmart.net/blog/2008/windows-vista-recovery-disc-download/

Malke

 

[Leebo]

Thanks very much for the advise, I will try it out and get back to you.

 

[Leebo]

Thanks for the advise I will try it out and get back to you

 

[Patrick Keenan]

Thanks very much for the advise, I will try it out and get back to you.

If it turns out that you are unable to start the system in Safe Mode, your
next step should be to consider the state of your backups, and what data you
want to be sure you keep, in case a reinstall or replacement is necessary.

Fortunately, these days it's pretty easy to back up a non-booting system.
All you need is access to another system running Vista or XP with enough
free drive space.

Simply remove the drive from your system, and attach it to the other
system - USB2 drive cases are very handy for this, and start around $20 or
so - and simply copy the files you need. Be sure you get all the files,
including things like email and address books.

If you're unsure of where all the files are, using an imaging program like
the free trial version of Acronis TrueImage can quickly make a copy of the
entire drive, and you can go back later and copy the files off.

HTH
-pk

 

[TDM]

Thanks very much for the advise, I will try it out and get back to you.

Flashing cursor in the corner, sounds like a boot loader
problem to me. If you cant boot in safe mode, insert your
Vista DVD, boot from it, and do a repair.


TDM

 

[Leebo]

Hi have got a restore screen up by pressing f10 key but it will not let me do
retore ansays that the os can not be found after reading the manual it seems
the only thing to do is start from the windows disc but this is the second
laptop that I have purchased from PC World and a windows disc did not come
with them the os was pre installed, Any suggestion "dont realy what to got
back to them as it could be gone for weeks and still come back with problems".

 

[Malke]

Hi have got a restore screen up by pressing f10 key but it will not let me
do retore ansays that the os can not be found after reading the manual it
seems the only thing to do is start from the windows disc but this is the
second laptop that I have purchased from PC World and a windows disc did
not come with them the os was pre installed, Any suggestion "dont realy
what to got back to them as it could be gone for weeks and still come back
with problems".

Here is the link I previously gave you for exactly this:

You will need to burn the .iso with third-party burning software.

However, I really think it's time to take the machine to a professional who
can back up your data (if you haven't done this) and do a real diagnosis.
From what you've written in this post, it sounds like there is a problem
with your hard drive.

Malke