Author Jacob E.
Now that just about everyone knows how to use the XP Recovery Console Microsoft's newest OS does not contain one. Not to worry we have a detailed article that will walk you through how to use these great new features in Vista .
The Purpose of this article is to teach you how to make vista repairs if you are having startup issues or you can't seem to use the vista system restore option. There are two ways to use these options and they depend on if you have a Windows Vista install disk or if Vista was preinstalled on your OS you will have a ghost image on your hard drive.
If you have the windows vista repair disk: (This should be your backup copy of Vista if you made one)
PLEASE NOTE: This Vista install CD can be run from within Vista . Just insert the CD once Vista has loaded up and go to install, go > Install Now > Upgrade.
1. Boot up with the Vista install disc
2. You should see a screen that say's “Windows is loading files”
3. After a few minutes you will get a language option. Select your language and hit next.
4. On the install screen select “Repair your computer”
5. Windows will find your copy of Vista on the machine
6. Select your copy of Vista and click next
7. You will now see the following options.
* Startup repair - This automatically fixes problems that are preventing Windows from starting
* System Restore - This will Restore Windows to an earlier point in time
* Windows Complete PC Restore - This will completely restore your entire PC - programs, system settings and files - from a back up that you have previously created (Available in Windows Vista Business, Enterprise and Ultimate editions only)
* Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool - This checks your computer's memory hardware for errors
* Command Prompt
8. Assuming you are using this option because you were unable to boot to Windows Vista select the system Restore option and then select the date you would like to go back to. If your OS is fine you can always use the startup repair option.
Pre-Installed and OEM versions: (please check with your manufacturer fist. They may have replaced these tools with their own.
1. Turn your computer on and start pressing the F8 key. If you see the Windows Vista Logo you have gone too far and need to reboot and try again
2. You will get an advanced options screen. Select the “Repair your computer option” and hit enter.
3. Select your language and hit next.
4. Enter your user name and password and then next.
5. The recovery options should now appear.
6. In most cases just using the system restore to set your computer back will solve your issue. If this is not the case try the Startup repair option.
Automatic Recovery (From the Microsoft Website)
With Windows XP and earlier operating systems, recovering from a service failure typically required users to restart their computers. With Windows Vista, most service failures are not noticeable to users, because Windows Vista will automatically restart most services in the unlikely event that they fail. If necessary, Windows Vista can automatically address service dependencies and restart multiple services to maintain the reliability of the operating system. Because users often restarted their computer to resolve problems with failed services, automatic recovery also reduces the number of restarts.
Built-in Diagnostics
Windows Vista can self-diagnose and resolve a number of common problems. For example, Windows Disk Diagnostics proactively detects impending disk failures and can alert the support center to replace the failing hard disk before total failure occurs. For administrators, Windows Vista will guide them through the process of backing up their data so the hard disk can be replaced without data loss.
Windows Vista also includes memory diagnostics to help administrators track down problems with unreliable memory. Previously, memory diagnostics were available only as a download and were difficult for many IT professionals to use. In Windows Vista, if Windows Error Reporting (WER) or Microsoft Online Crash Analysis (MOCA) determines that a failure may be caused by failing memory, Windows Vista prompts the user to perform memory diagnostics without requiring an additional download or separate boot disk. If memory diagnostics identifies a memory problem, Windows Vista can avoid using the affected portion of physical memory to enable the operating system to start successfully and to avoid application crashes. Upon startup, Windows Vista provides an easy-to-understand report detailing the problem. Windows Vista also includes the Network Diagnostics Framework (NDF). The NDF provides users with advanced means to assist in problem resolution for network-related issues. When unable to connect to a network resource, the user is presented with clear repair options rather than error messages which can be difficult to understand. If Windows Vista can repair the issue automatically, it will; if not, the user is directed to perform simple steps to correct the problem without having to call for support.
Startup Repair Tool
Windows Vista includes the Startup Repair Tool (StR) to automatically fix many common problems and enable end users and IT professionals to quickly diagnose and repair more complex startup problems. When a startup failure is detected, the system fails over into StR. Once started, StR performs diagnostics to determine the cause of the startup failure. StR even analyzes startup log files so that you don't have to. Once StR determines the cause of the failure, it attempts to fix the problem automatically. The entire process requires little to no user input. Problems StR can automatically repair include:
- Incompatible drivers
- Missing or corrupted startup configuration settings
- Corrupted disk metadata
After the operating system has been repaired, Windows Vista notifies the user of the repairs and provides logging so that IT professionals can determine exactly which steps StR performed. StR also includes tools to assist IT professionals in manually troubleshooting startup problems. StR reduces support calls related to startup problems, and when users do need assistance, StR enables you to quickly solve the problem.
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