Startup repair everytime... save me!

UG Hobbs

New Member
At the moment, every time I boot my Dell Studio 1537 startup repair initiates and brings back the error message "OS VERSION MISMATCH" and a number starting with 6.0.6001.18000.0.0.0.0. I've checked other forums, and most others ultimately decide to reinstall Vista. Unfortunately, all I have is the Dell resinstallation disks, but startup repair initiates within seconds after trying to boot from them as well. Here's a little more background.

All this originally started when I tried to restore my laptop form the factory image. There was a file on my desktop that I didn't place there. It's name had a bunch of random numbers. I couldn't delete it (yes, I was administrator). I tried to remove it with different software, but none of them saw the file as a threat (plus I didn't notice any symptoms). There were no files or programs on the computer I was concerned about, so I thought a restore form the factory settings would solve the issue.

The restore from the factory image went most of the way, but then a message box popped up and said "error" and an "ok" button. I clicked okay and the computer rebooted never to again leave the clutches of startup repair.

Since then, I have tried to boot form the Dell reinstallation disk without any success (it never makes it to the installation setup screen). (It also doesn't help that the backlight is shot. The plan was to donate the computer to a family member and use an old screen with it.) Oh... and starting in safe mode doesn't change anything.

Any ideas would be great on how to get things working again.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell PP33L
I have a similar problem: startup repair almost every time I start the computer. Sometimes I can get it to start by turning off and on again, but startup repair never fixes it. When I reset the system to a reference point in March ( it is now July 2011) it starts up OK , but if I allow it to install 'important' updates it reinstalls the problem.
I took this to my local PC World store, where the guy laughed and said that everyone with VISTA seemed to be having the same problem, and advised resetting to an earlier date and not installing upgrades. I expect an explanation and a cure from Microsoft, since this appears to be a problem of their making. How can I use the computer if upgrades are important yet cause it to become useless?
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Sony Viaio PCG 7V1M
    CPU
    Intel Centrino Duo
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