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Thread ID: 121017	2011-10-07 23:53:00	Laptop Won't Start - Help please.	Roscoe (6288)	Press F1

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
1236292	2011-10-07 23:53:00	It seems that I have been rather foolish and have accepted the Windows update, SP1 for Vista. Now my laptop will not start Windows. Up until now I have had no worries with Vista at all. When I attempt to boot I recieve a screen that says "Windows failed to start..... launch start up repair (recommended). When I launch repair, Windows begins to start, but then it goes to the blue screen which says, "A problem has been detected and Windows has been shut down to prevent damage to your computer.......Check to make sure any new software is properly installed..." How do you do that if you can't boot up your computer? "If problems continue, disable or remove any software.....Disable BIOS memory options such as caching or shadowing." Where do I find that? I have looked in the BIOS. Perhaps I have looked in the wrong place? "If you need to use Safe Mode to remove or disable any newly installed software restart and press F8 to select Advanced startup options and the select Safe Mode." Unfortunately, I cannot even startup in Safe Mode, so I have come to a deadend and am wondering how I manage to get to a stage where I can boot up Windows so that I might be able to repair the problem. Your help would be much appreciated..:thanks	Roscoe (6288)
1236293	2011-10-07 23:56:00	Doubt SP1 would have caused it to crash. Altho, if you used Windowsupdate, that maybe different. If you downloaded SP1, then installed it, it may have worked. You may have had malware or something, BEFORE you installed SP1. Most of the time safe mode wont let you uninstall anything. Since most of the services (you need) dont run in safe mode	Speedy Gonzales (78)
1236294	2011-10-08 01:04:00	What "may" work, then again may not, depends on whats actually happened -- Boot the computer from a Vista recovery CD, or install DVD, Select location,select repair my computer (bottom left) Once it locates the Install, click Next - Then click on System Restore. SP1 will have made a restore point before installing by default - select that - let it run - may take a while as there will be a lot to undo -- If it were SP1 causing the problem Vista should now boot as before.	wainuitech (129)
1236295	2011-10-08 03:33:00	Thanks, Wainui. Most appreciated. Because there was no software supplied with my laptop, unlike previous Windows versions such as XP, I went looking online for a recovery CD. There are two recovery CDs - one for 32 bit and one for 64 bit, and they say that it is important that you download the correct one, but I do not know how to tell which one I have as I cannot start up my laptop. How does one find that out? I bought the laptop 3 to 4 years ago, if that is of any help. It is Windows Vista Home Premium O E MAct installed on a HP Pavillion dv600.	Roscoe (6288)
1236296	2011-10-08 04:23:00	Generally speaking if you ran the wrong version, it will pop up with error message saying something along the lines of trying to run a 64bit program on a 32bit installation or hardware. One place used to have them, but are now charging - just found This place (digiex.net).The links are active. if it were me I would try the 32bit first, cant really do any more damaged than whats already done :)	wainuitech (129)
1236297	2011-10-09 22:36:00	Thanks for your advice, Wainui. I have downloaded the Vista recovery file and burnt it to a CD. I have changed the boot order so that the laptop goes to the CD Rom, but although it appears to be going to the CD Rom, the laptop then attempts to boot Windows, so, at the moment I am no further ahead. How do I access the CD Rom so I can get the repair CD to work? Once I have accessed the CD what do I need to do then? Thanks so much for your help.:thanks	Roscoe (6288)
1236298	2011-10-10 01:53:00	It usually say, Press a Key to Boot form CD, watch for it.	pctek (84)
1236299	2011-10-10 02:24:00	I have downloaded the Vista recovery file and burnt it to a CD Did you simply burn the file, or use an ISO burning program / section of your burning software ? The file when downloaded should have been an ISO -- If you dont have a ISO burning program one of a couple I use is infraRecorder (infrarecorder.org) -- you install it, open the program, click on Write image, navigate to where the ISO file is, select it, Click OK and site back and watch it do its thing. Edited: as per Pcteks answer - it only flashes quickly - blink and you may miss it :D	wainuitech (129)
1236300	2011-10-10 03:14:00	Wainuitech: I used a programme that was recommended and downloadable for free: ImgBurn. The file I downloaded and burnt is called Vista_Recovery_Disc.iso which seems to be what you recommend. Is that correct? Pctek: I see what you mean and I have been able to change the boot order and the laptop goes to the CD but for a moment then goes to Windows, so I assume that the file I have on the Cd is not the correct one. I really have no idea what to do now. Thanks for your help. I really do appreciate it.	Roscoe (6288)
1236301	2011-10-10 05:12:00	Image burn is fine - (or should be) Theres 3 or 4 different ISO burning programs I use, just depends as to what PC I am on at the time. I downloaded the 64bit version from that site and it booted OK. Normally I would make a bootup/rescue CD from within the OS or use one of my other bootable CD's (not free programs) which has a lot more options. Did you download the 32 or 64 Bit ?? I'll get the 32 from that site linked and see if it works OK -- back soon with results after dinner. :)	wainuitech (129)
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