Vista - Can't reboot/restart/start up without issues

Hi - new to the forum, so not really sure where to post this. If this is the wrong thread, please point me in the right direction. Thanks.

So here's my problem. I'm running Vista Home on a Dell Studio15 and actually had a problem the very first time I had to restart due to an update, but didn't think much of it. If I dare shut down my computer, there's a 90-95% chance of it not starting up again without first running thru the system check (or something - can't think of the name right now) to "find the problem." (Seems to be Vista's version of the BSOD) It will often run this self-fix program over and over until it finally gives up, or I just shut it down again and let it sit, generally overnight, and then it will work again. Sometimes, it will allow me to try the option to go back to the last time it all worked, which sometimes works, but not always. I'm somewhat convinced it's linked to the updates from either MS or the AV that came installed, Trend Micro Systems. I will also often get warnings from Trend saying that there are security issues, namely that a scan hasn't been run in weeks, when I know it scans at least once a week. I've read elsewhere that AV's like Norton and McAfee don't run so well on Vista, and was going to try the new free one from MS, but it's still in trials and is not available to DL just yet.

So, hopefully all this makes sense to someone and perhaps someone can help me out? I've taken it to THe Geek Squad who ran some tests and told me nothing was wrong with it - no viruses, no issues with drivers, etc - yet when the started it up to test when I went to pick it up, it jumped right into the problem. Hmmm...

Anything would be helpful at this point. Thanks! Oh - I've had this system since May.

anyone have any advice for me? please let me know if I'm not explaining the problem well enough. Thanks.

Hello MPMommy,
It sounds like the sort of problem you get when Vista is not shutdown properly, but that cant be the case if it does it on a restart.
The first thing you need to do is to make sure the system files are intact.
Follow the link below and run the scan as per the tutorial.
You could also try F8 on boot-up, highlight the "Last known Good Configuration", and boot from there.
Do this and post your results. Good luck.


System Files - SFC Command

mpm

Hi and welcome to vistax64.

First thing you should try is to do a safe boot. REboot and when the first screen comes up (where it say s dell) hit F8 ( i think thats safe boot on a dell). If it succeeds you have a bunch of options.

Let us know what happened

Ken