Windows error recovery

Step 1: Remove recently added hardware

If you have added new hardware recently, use these steps.

If you have not added any new hardware recently, skip to the next step.

NOTE: If a new internal device (sound card, hard drive, or other) was added to the computer before the error message started to occur, you must remove it before continuing.

• Turn off the computer and unplug the power cord.
• Disconnect all non-essential peripherals attached such as a printer, scanner, webcam, zip drive, phone cord, network cable, and other devices. Leave only the mouse, keyboard, and monitor cable attached.
• Press and hold the power button on the front of the computer. Release after 5 seconds.
• Plug the power cord back in.
• Turn on the computer. The monitor displays the message again. Allow the timer to count down to zero.
• If the error opens again, skip to the next step.
• If the computer successfully starts to the Windows desktop and the error message is not displayed, reconnect one device and wait until Windows recognizes it.
• Continue connecting the devices, one at a time, restarting the computer each time, until you find the device that is causing the error. Do not use the device that causes the error.

NOTE:Wait until Windows completely starts before reconnecting the devices. If you have a problem, check technical support for the problem device for known issues, resolutions, updated drivers, and troubleshooting information.

Step 2: Use Windows Start Repair

Use the following steps to let Windows try to repair its files and correct the problem.

• On the error screen, click Launch Start Repair (recommended).
• The Startup Repair window opens and automatically scans for startup problems.
• Perform the actions suggested by Startup Repair to correct damaged or missing files, or other action.
• If the error continues, continue to the next step to use System Restore.

Step 3: Restore with System Restore

Use the steps in this section to restore Windows to an earlier date and time:

• Turn off the computer.
• Remove all attached devices except the mouse, keyboard, and monitor.
• Turn on the computer and press the F8 key repeatedly when the first logo screen is displayed.

A Windows startup screen is displayed.

• Use the Up or Down arrow key to highlight Safe Mode with Command Prompt, and press Enter.
• If the error message displays again, skip to the next step to perform a system recovery.
• When the login screen is displayed, select Administrator, and type the password (if applicable).
• When the command window is displayed, type the following at the command prompt, and press Enter:

cd restore

• At the new prompt, type the following: rstrui
• Then press Enter.
• The System Restore screen opens.
• Restore system files and settings window
• Click Choose a different restore point, and then click Next.
• Select a restore point before the errors began to occur, and then click Next. Follow the on-screen instructions to restore the computer to a time when the errors did not occur.
• When finished, the computer restarts and tries to open Windows. If the error is still displayed after using System Restore, continue to the next step to recover the computer.

Step 4: Recover the computer

• If the error continues after the using System Restore, perform a system recovery to reset the computer to its original configuration.