Solved Windows Vista boots into startup repair and can't fix it

Hello all,
I am looking for some advice on how to fix my computer please.
These are my specs:
Dell XPS 420 about three years old.
Windows Vista 32 bit running SP2 with OEM disc without SP 1 or 2
Raid mirror configuration
Shut down normally about three days ago, today went to start it up and it went immediately to Startup Repair which was unsuccessful.
I cannot boot into safe mode (no restore points found- I know they are there because I check them regularly)
I cannot boot from the OEM disc
Debugging mode does not work
Last known configuration does not work
I did boot into the diagnostics screen (F2 or F12, I can't remember) and it did a diagnostic on the hardware so I think my hard drives and memory are ok.
I tried startup repair again and it just now gives up after about 20 seconds and says it can't repair my computer.
When I try to 'start windows normally', it starts, the Dell logo comes up, the white bar loads, then the Intel Array info comes up, then the screen with the little green thingie runs back and forth then it goes to a really quick blue screen that says my computer is being shut down to protect it. It goes by so quick I can't read all of it but there is no information there that tells me anything about what is wrong.
I tried Startup repair one last time and when it said it couldn't repair my computer there were error details at the bottom of the screen:
Problem event name: Startup repair V2
Problem signature 1: Autofailover
Problem signature 2: 6.0.6000.16386.6.0.6001.18000
Problem signature 3: 6
Problem signature 4: 196611
Problem signature 5: Bad driver
Problem signature 6: Bad driver
Problem signature 7: 0
Problem signature 8: 3
Problem signature 9: Wrp Repair
Problem signature 10: 2
OS: 6.0.6000.2.0.0.256.1
Local ID 1033

Any help at all would be very appreciated.
Thank you
Edit: PS I forgot to say that the computer was working beautifully up til this point. No new software, hardware, upgrades or any changes at all.
Thank you!

Looks like a BSOD (blue Screen) Please follow instructions and we will see if we can help
http://www.vistax64.com/crashes-debugging/282419-blue-screen-death-bsod-posting-instructions.html

Hello rich46 and thank you for your reply.
I am sorry I can't post a system dump file.. My PC goes blue screen before it even gets to the 'windows loading' screen. I can't get to my desktop, even in safe mode. I am posting to you from my netbook.

OK
Install Ubuntu. If it cannot you have a hardware problem and have to bring it in. If it does load, save your stuff and then we will try a factory restoration.
Use Ubuntu Live CD to Backup Files from Your Dead Windows Computer - How-To Geek

Hi rich46
Thank you. Will do this and post back the results probably by tomorrow evening. (late here in the UK.. must get some sleep! ) If I do manage to get to the desktop, can I get to the system dump file from there?
If so, I will include it in my post.
Thank you
Liz

You may be able to get it with Ubuntu. Does not hurt to try.

Hi rich46
I did manage to boot my PC off the Ubuntu CD and I think I got most of what I needed off the drive. The volume mounted without a problem (amazingly I didn't have to put all those commands in to get to the desktop).
I did try to get the system dump information off the drive, but though I could download the .exe file, I couldn't make it run.
I am guessing something is wrong with the boot section of my hard drive? Could it be a virus? Some people think Vista is an awful OS, but I have not had any problems at all apart from one crash when I got the PC about three years ago. No blue screens, no freezes, no slowdowns etc.
I am also guessing that since the Ubuntu is running a 'virtual machine' there is no way to go in through that to check or repair what is wrong?
I'd really like to not have to format if possible, but if I do, and if I am going to format my drive, would it be worth the time and money to upgrade the RAM in the machine and go buy a copy of Windows 7 and install that?
Thank you
Liz
PS: If it is a virus, did I just copy it onto the USB stick I copied my files to? Wondering if it's safe to transfer the data to my other computer..

Sorry that your problem was not resolved. We may indeed have to format and in that event, if you want Seven that is the time to go for it. You will get the upgrade version. We can show you how to install so it is as good as the full cost version, which is a lot more expensive. Dont get the OEM version, alothough some here will advise it. It is against the User Agreement between you and Microsoft and they can even press charges. For now

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/91467-startup-repair.html
and
How To Enable Boot Logging For Fixing Startup Problems in Windows

Just saw your edit, if you used the USB after a virus, yes it is on the USB. But lets try the steps to reapair

Hi rich46
OK.. I'll hold off putting anything from my USB drive until I find out if there is a virus lurking in my PC hard drive :D
I have already tried the startup repair of the OEM disc that I have. It didn't work-nor can I get to Safe Mode on my PC.
However,

You can then reboot in to Safe Mode and review the log file named ntbootlog.txt. The log is stored in the %SYSTEMROOT% directory (normally C:\Windows or C:\WINNT folder). Below is an example of ntbootlog.txt log file on Windows XP (Vista log is similar):

Click to expand...

I did see this file somewhere on the Ubuntu desktop (in fact there were several of them). I think I must have enabled boot logging while I was messing around the other night. Would it help if I went back in and got them? I even have internet access with the Ubuntu running (how cool is that?) so I think I can copy and paste from there..
Liz

Liz
Your first post shows a driver problem. If you can get the boot log, it may show the problem driver and we can try to fix it.

Hello rich 46,
I am sorry to not have got back to you sooner. I am still working on my problem but I have had to work the past five nights.

I have managed to get in to enable bootlogging and have attempted to get the log file off to post but there is a new problem in that now when I start the computer, the Intel software is trying to 'verify' or rebuild the RAID array. This did not happen before. Thinking this was a hard disk problem I tried to chkdsk booting from the OEM disc I have, but after waiting a really long time for it to load (because of the RAID thing going on) it said that there was no operating system because the volume was unknown.

Is there any way of stopping the computer trying to rebuild the array without deleting the volume? It takes a lot of time and slows everything way down.

The Ubuntu disc still works (I hope) so I will try to get on tonight and get that bootlog file for you.
Thank you for your patience.
Liz

Hello,
I got into Ubuntu, found the ntbootlog file, but this is the message I get from Ubuntu when I try to open it.
gedit has not been able to detect the character encoding.
Please check that you are not trying to open a binary file.
Select a character encoding from the menu and try again.
Can I copy this and try and open it on another computer?

Thank you

Actually I think the best way is to delete the volume. Hopefully another will have other suggestions

Hi Rich,
Nope, no other possible solutions. I had to reformat and start all over again. The OS is loaded, my friend has reinstalled most of the drivers and I am now in the process of enduring the nightmare of Windows Updates.
This would have been easier had I had a system image somewhere, but you live and learn. I will next time.

I did have almost all the stuff I wanted thanks to you and Ubuntu... very grateful!

I have a question though.. I am waiting for the Vista service packs to show up but so far they have not. Will they still show up in Automatic Updates or do I have to go get them. If I do have to go and get them, are there updates that I am required to install before I try to install the Service Packs?

And yes, once I get this done, I WILL slipstream SP 1 and 2 so I can just reinstall next time
Thank you
Liz

Liz the updates will not be as bad as you think. Make sure that your Udates is turned on. If so you will get a few updates and then SPs, which contain all the rest. SPs are basically the upadates, plus a little more. If you do not know how to check on the updater, post and I will help.

After you are all upadted, make a copy of the entire hard drive. Update, once a month
to keep it current.
Now that I think about SP1 may no longer be supported, I will look for the site that you can download manually
http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=30
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CCAQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macrium.com%2Freflectfree.asp&ei=ZAG4TvS9JKfq0gHbh7TRBw&usg=AFQjCNF6uRx3XO6hyO7L3tgekvN5nExInA&sig2=owYC8Rwr8g_M2oUJdlkyIQ

Thank you rich,
Yes, I think I am ok with the updates. There is one that keeps failing KB929777-code 8000FFF. It says 'install this update to address an issue in storport.sys which results in a system crash when certain hardware configurations exist.'
No idea what that means.

I will. I will go out and buy an external hard drive and system image regularly.. I have learned--oh yes..

I can only get SP2 if I have SP1 right? Or have they rolled it all into SP2.
If you find anything out, please let me know. In the meantime I will install what AU gives me..
THank you!
Liz

Download SP1 and then SP2, you need all of them
I have given you a link to Macrium Reflex, free software to back up your entire hard drive, by making an image. The site seems to be down now, but when it is up, excellent software for your purposes.

Hi Rich,
I followed the link you gave me for the SP1 download and I came across this:

Things to know before you download Windows Vista SP1

It says that SP1 should be installed from Windows Update and that it wouldn't show up there unless I had all proper drivers and prerequisite updates installed.
I have installed everything offered so far from Windows Update and SP1 is still not showing up. When you said that Microsoft wasn't supporting it anymore, did you mean that it won't be offered as an automatic update?
If so, do I download the 434MB stand-alone one?
Thank you
Liz