Vista no longer starts? One thing helps...

Microsoft's new Vista produces a blue screen at system startup, simply stays black before logging in, cryptic error codes run across the screen and nothing happens? The system startup repair can help! [By Sandro Villinger]

In January 2007, I returned from overseas after the stressful Vista launch and switched on my computer, still completely exhausted. My nerves were frayed when I suddenly saw a black screen instead of the Vista logon screen. The cause? Unknown! Before I left, the PC was working perfectly. Be that as it may, the Windows Vista System startup repairwhich was published in the "WinRE" (Windows Recovery Environment) reliably repairs a large number of errors.

It is able to iron out between 80 and 90% of all system startup problems and that's a lot:

1. First, errors in the Windows registry database are cleaned up: Defective structures, keys or values.
2. The Master Boot Record (MBR) is repaired: This is where Windows stores information about the data carrier.
3. Boat sector is being partially rewritten.
4. If the hard disk itself has an actual physical defect, the system startup repair will inform you of this.
5. Problems caused by software, updates, drivers, incorrect settings or deleted/defective system files are also detected (and eliminated!) very reliably by the system startup repair.

Since its first use on my computer in January, System Startup Repair has saved me a lot of time, especially on my test computers: Because of my work, I often have to install beta software, unfinished drivers or critical system settings. It is clear that at some point the system will no longer run smoothly and problems at system startup are only a matter of time. However, the following steps will also solve these problems:

1. Instruct your computer to start from the CD/DVD drive instead of the hard disk. To do this, switch it on and press the "F2" or "Removal". The BIOS will now start.

   

2. There you will usually find the "Boot" menu, where you can select the "Boot Priority" or else "Boot Sequence" can be changed. This menu item is often also defined by the BIOS manufacturer "First Boot Device" has been named. Change this entry to "CDROM".
3. Exit the BIOS and save the changes with "Z" (as the BIOS still uses the US layout for keyboards) and Enter. Now insert the Windows Vista installation DVD!
4. The following message appears immediately after the restart: "Press any button to start from CD or DVD". Now press any key (my favorite: simply tap the middle of the keyboard with the palm of your hand 😉 ) and wait until the setup has started.

   

5. Confirm the first screen by clicking on the "Next" and select the "Computer repair options". Confirm the correct partition on which Windows Vista was installed (e.g. drive C:) and choose the first option: The "System startup repair".

   

6. The repair can take up to 60 minutes, as the entire hard disk is checked for errors!

Voila! In 80-90% of all cases, these small steps have already made your system mobile again...Have fun!

Yours, Sandro Villinger