Bill--
There are two main avenues to try--Startup Repair and System Restore
from the Recovery link in setup using your Vista DVD, or Windows F8
Advanced Options reached by tapping your F8 key on a restart.
You may get some help by typing eventvwr.msc in the run box and then
clicking on "system" and looking for error messages. But regardless,
you can try to use F8 options or a startup repair to gix this. Startup
Repair can also be used in situations that are not no boot windows
situations, so MSFT has managed to name it ambiguously.. You have two
avenues in Vista. You could try the traditional F8 "Windows Advanced
Options" menu, with 4 Safe Mode doors that access System Restore, one
requiring you to know the command to reach it (Safe Mode with Command)
and from their new Win RE Startup Repair. Last Known Good Configuration
or LKG is also at the Windows F8 Advanced Options menu You might want
to try Startup Repair first, but I wouldn't leave any of these options
exausted. That's the most common mistake I see that results in faile
repairs and formats that never needed to happen.
Note: I am seeing repeatedly that system restore from F8 may not work
when system restore from the Recovery Link on the Vista DVD setup will
work. But you should try Startup Repair first, then try System Restore
from there if StR does not work.
***WINDOWS F8 ADVANCED OPTIONS MENU (Available in XP and Works in
Vista***
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
***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 4 safe modes to try to system
restore and I would use Last Known Good Configuration if they don't
work. I say four safe mode options, 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 :
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
___________________________________________________________________________________________
***STARTUP REPAIR IN WINDOWS VISTA***
1) You run the startup repair tool this way:
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.
See for ref:
Access/Enter Motherboard BIOS
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/bios_manufacturer.htm
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
Good luck,
CH
Twice Vista has BSOD, and no KB messages to be found for the code
(today's BSOD):
Problem signature:
Problem Event Name: BlueScreen
OS Version: 6.0.6000.2.0.0.256.1
Locale ID: 1033
Additional information about the problem:
BCCode: 116
BCP1: 84D8B410
BCP2: 894FB98A
BCP3: 00000000
BCP4: 00000002
OS Version: 6_0_6000
Service Pack: 0_0
Product: 256_1
====================================
And for the previous BSOD:
BugCheckCode 00000116
BugCheckParameter1 847ac690
BugCheckParameter2 890fb98a
BugCheckParameter3 00000000
BugCheckParameter4 00000002
I do have the full Minidump files decoded and saved, if needed. Vista
never returned and STOP message - I don't see this as an improvement -
had it done so, I would have a better idea of what's going on.