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Windows Vista won't start nor repair.

Anonymous
2010-02-12T01:34:02+00:00

Greetings!

I am having a problem with my computer. About 2 weeks ago, my Windows Vista out of nowhere started to fail in start-up with the infamous and hated "Windows failed to start, a Recent Hardware or Software may have..." and the options for start up that none of which work. I tried to repair it several times, but Windows would only boot for an hour or two, and then the screen would go black. when I tried to start it back up, it would go back to the Windows failed to start message. I then proceeded to completely reinstall windows, but everytime I try the black screen comes back and the windows failed message starts again. I then even tried to boot from an Ubuntu disc and install that, but the same black screen and windows failed message after reloading appears. Now the computer only will start up with the windows failed screen every other power-up, otherwise the black screen appears. I looked inside my computer and everything is plugged in tight, and I just checked my disc for errors right before the failure, so I don't know what could be causing it.

Please help!

Thanks so much!

Brandon

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Performance and system failures

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  1. Anonymous
    2010-02-12T19:07:40+00:00

    Hi noblesb,

    First disconnect any external devices connected to the computer except mouse and keyboard.

    I would suggest that you try startup repair using the windows vista installation disk.

    1. Insert the installation disc.
    2. Restart your computer.
    3. Click the Start button, click the arrow next to the Lock button, and then click Restart.
    4. If prompted, press any key to start Windows from the installation disc.

    Note If your computer is not configured to start from a CD or DVD, check the information that came with your computer. You may need to change your computer's BIOS settings. For more information, see BIOS: frequently asked questions.

    1. Choose your language settings, and then click Next.
    2. Click Repair your computer.
    3. Select the operating system you want to repair, and then click Next.
    4. On the System Recovery Options menu, click on Startup Repair.

    Refer the below link for more information.

    http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/How-do-I-fix-a-boot-startup-problem

    If the above step fail then check if the computer is able to boot into any advanced boot options.

    Steps to boot to Safe mode

    1.     Restart your computer if it is powered on.

    2.     Tap the F8 key after your computer initially powers on.

    3.     Once you see the Advanced Boot Options menu you can stop tapping.

    4.     Use the up/down arrow keys to highlight your selection.

    5.     Select Safe Mode and press Enter.

    6.     You should see drivers loading, and then Please wait.

    7.     You should then be at the Welcome Screen.

    8.     Logon to your computer using an account with Administrator privileges.

    If you are unable to boot into safe mode then try any other mode from the advance boot options, refer the below link for more information.

    Advanced startup options (including safe mode)

    http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-vista/Advanced-startup-options-including-safe-mode

    Hope this helps!

    Halima S    - Microsoft Support.

    Visit our Microsoft Answers Feedback Forum and let us know what you think.

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2 additional answers

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  1. Anonymous
    2010-07-24T18:40:32+00:00

    My power went out and when I turned my PC on again, it states the Keyboard is Disabled. I can't get to the Boot menu without a keyboard.

    I have put the reinstall Vista Home Premium disk in and nothing changes, it's still a black screen that says the keyboard is disabled. The USB ports do have power to them and the keyboard does work.

    Does anyone have an idea?

    THANKS!!

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  2. Anonymous
    2010-11-28T00:16:59+00:00

    i have a hp pavilion a1712n with windows vista that wont boot tried the rovery disk and nothing it sounds like it is stuck in sleep mode . i can hear it loading but it dosnt get past the cd/dvd drive i tried unpluging the drive to see if it would continue to load but it didnt. i cant use the key board to go into the bios or any thing any ideas

    spopielarski did you figure it out

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