Startup Repair Not Working - SP2 Upgrade

I own a Dell Inspiron 1545 laptop with Vista Home Premium 32bit. I’m stuck with Startup Repair Error while trying SP2 upgrade and I can't seem to resolve this anyway.


Failed SP2 Upgrade:
I have been regularly running windows update and running patches every now and then. I originally had SP1 pack and I thought that I had upgraded it to SP2. Yesterday I ran an online diagnostic and it appeared that I was still stuck with SP1. So I decided to install SP2. Unfortunately the automatic update was showing some error messages, so I decided to do manual update (following the instruction from microsoft support website). I managed to download the SP2 patch and started running it. It ran 2 of the 3 steps and then automatically rebooted (which I understand was part of the installation process).

Startup Repair Error:
Unfortunately that’s when my trouble began. I was stuck with a grey screen with Startup Repair screen with the following details:

Problem Event Name: StartupRepairV2
Problem Signature 01: AutoFailover
Problem Signature 02: 6.0.6001.18000.6.0.6001.18000
Problem Signature 03: 6
Problem Signature 04: 1310739
Problem Signature 05: CorruptFile
Problem Signature 06: CorruptFile
Problem Signature 07: 3221226017
Problem Signature 08: 1
Problem Signature 09: WrpRepair
Problem Signature 10: 0
OS Version: 6.0.6000.2.0.0.256.1
Locale ID: 1033


Each time the startup repair restarts it gets stuck at this point. Below are the Startup Repair Diagnosis and repair details:

Startup Repair diagnosis and repair log
-----------------------------------------------------
Last sucessful boot time: 8/9/2010 4:31:12 AM (GMT)
Number of repair attempts: 25

Session details
--------------------------------------
System Disk = \Device\Harddisk0
Windows directory = C:\Windows
AutoChk Run = 0
Number of root causes = 1

Test Performed:
---------------------------------
Name: Check for updates
Result: Completed successfully. Error code = 0x0
Time taken = 16ms

Test Performed:
-----------------------------------
Name: System disk test
Result: Completed successfully. Error code = 0x0
Time taken = 0ms

Test Performed:
--------------------------------------
Name: Disk metadata test
Result: Completed successfully. Error code = 0x0
Time taken = 140ms

Test Performed:
--------------------------------------
Name: Target OS test
Result: Completed successfully. Error code = 0x0
Time taken = 141ms

Test Performed:
--------------------------------------
Name: Volume content check
Result: Completed successfully. Error code = 0x0
Time taken = 280ms

Test Performed:
--------------------------------------
Name: Boot manager diagnosis
Result: Completed successfully. Error code = 0x0
Time taken = 0ms

Test Performed:
--------------------------------------
Name: System boot log diagnosis
Result: Completed successfully. Error code = 0x0
Time taken = 0ms

Test Performed:
--------------------------------------
Name: Event log diagnosis
Result: Completed successfully. Error code = 0x0
Time taken = 110ms

Test Performed:
--------------------------------------
Name: Internal state check
Result: Completed successfully. Error code = 0x0
Time taken = 62ms

Root cause found:
------------------------------
Startup Repair has tried several times but still cannot determine the cause of the problem
--------------------------------



If I click on "Advanced Options for System Recovery and Support", I am led to another screen which gives the following menu of System Recovery Options:

1. Startup Repair
2. System Restore
3. Windows Complete PC Restore
4. Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool
5. Command Prompt
6. Dell Factory Image Restore

1. Startup Repair of course leads me nowhere
2. System Restore doesn’t work since “no restore points have been created on your computer’s system disk”
3. Windows Complete PC Restore doesn’t help. I get the following message:
“A valid backup location could not be found. Windows cannot find a backup on this computer. Attach the backup hard disk and insert the final DVD from the backup set and check Retry.”
I left it at this and did not venture any further down this route.

4. I am able to run “Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool”. It seems to run 2 steps without detecting any problem. However, at the end of the process it restarts the computer automatically and I am back to square one with Startup Repair Error
5. Command Prompt seems to work. But I don’t know what to do with it.
6. I haven’t tried my luck with Dell Factory Image Restore for the fear of losing all data

Unfortunately my computer would not start in Safe Mode. It either prompts for “Launch Startup Repair (Recommended)” or “Start Windows Normally”. Either way I’m back to square one.


Help Needed:

FYI, I was struggling with Downloader-CJX malware before I decided to upgrade to SP2 to take advantage of Microsoft security fixes.

I would appreciate if any expert can help me with the following:

1. Is there a way around my problem such that I’m able to start the system normally? Tell me the most painless solution.
2. If prognosis is not good, tell me how to go about fixing. I may have the Vista Installation Disk (or Recovery Disk) lying around.
3. I don’t want to lose tonnes of data on my hard drive. If I have no choice but to reinstall Vista, how can I do that without losing data.
4. I’m not a very technical person (i.e. my IT skills are average), so every bit of simplification in explanation will help.

Any help would be highly appreciated.

I have Just skimmed Read your Post and I am About to give you some tips for the Reinstall if you are going to follow that path and Recovering your Data

Ok First i would like you to Make a recovery Disk and a Ubuntu Live cd

See Download | Ubuntu For more Information

and see http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/141820-create-recovery-disc.html?ltr=C For more Information


Once you have done that Boot into a Recovery Disk and enter your Details then Click Repair my Computer in the bottom Left hand corner

and run a Startup repair if that doesn't work post back


To retrieve your data before you format boot into the Ubuntu live CD and Try ubuntu without Installing then find your HDD with your Data on it and Trnasfer it accross to an External HDD


Hope This Helps,
Josh

Thanks Josh for prompt help. I will try to implement it later tonight and report if it works.

I have finally managed to create the Vista 32-Bit Recovery Disk and made the Ubuntu Live CD as Josh suggested above. When I get home today, I will run the disk as per the instruction.


Running Reinstallation DVD or Recovery Disk:

In the meantime, I found the Vista Reinstallation DVD (Vista Home Premium 32Bit SP1) that came shipped with my Dell laptop. The DVD label reads as follows:
---------------
Operating System
Already Installed On Your Computer

Reinstallation DVD
Windows Vista Home Premium 32Bit SP1

The software is already installed on your computer. Use this DVD only to reinstall the operating system on a Dell PC. This DVD is not for reinstallation of programs or drivers.
---------------

1. Would you advice me to use the Reinstallation DVD or the Recovery Disk that I have burned?

2. Please note that I would dearly love to retain all the personal data on the laptop. Which one of these two options will help serve the objective?

3. Would the process to be followed (in terms of running the disk and carrying the system recovery/repair installation) be same for the Reinstallation DVD and the Recovery Disk? If the process and outcome is different, please inform me how it will differ. Any pointer to a tutorial on how to use Reinstallation DVD to repair install wil be very helpful.


How to use Ubuntu Live CD:

Excuse my ignorance, but tell me what is the purpose of using Ubuntu?

If I understand you correctly, you are proposing that I first run startup repair after booting into recovery disk. After I am able to do that successfully, I can use/install Ubuntu to find my HDD and then transfer the files to an External HDD. I assume that Ubuntu operating system will help me transfer files after recovery. Only after that I am supposed to be reinstalling Vista (which may result in clean install and loss of personal files).

Is my understanding correct?


Running CHKDSK:

Someone suggested that I try chkdsk c: /r at the command prompt. Here is what I got after running chkdsk. Can you tell me what to make of the following result?

---------------
Checking file system on C:
The type of the file system is NTFS.

CHKDSK is verifying files (stage 1 of 5)...
548160 file records processed.
File verification completed.
3804 large file records processed.
0 bad file records processed.
0 EA records processed.
66 reparse records processed.
CHKDSK is verifying indexes (stage 2 of 5)...
608142 index entries processed.
Index verification completed.
CHKDSK is recovering lost files.
1 unindexed files processed.
Recovering orphaned file user.tmp <56217> into directory file 72532.
CHKDSK is verifying security descriptors (stage 3 of 5)...
548160 security descriptors processed.
CHKDSK is compacting the security descriptor stream...
29992 data files processed.
CHKDSK is verifying Usn Journal...
33573384 USN bytes processed.
Usn Journal verification completed.
CHKDSK is verifying file data (stage 4 of 5)...
548144 files processed.
File data verification completed.
CHKDSK is verifying free space (stage 5 of 5)...
1021401 file clusters processed.
Free space verification completed.
CHKDSK discovered free space marked as allocated in the
master file table <MFT> Bitmap
Correcting errors in the Volume Bitmap
Windows has made correction to the file system

230977531 KB total disk space.
226046096 KB in 346284 files.
188096 KB in 2995 indexes.
0 KB in bad sectors.
657735 KB in use by the system.
65536 KB occupied by the log file.
4085604 KB available on disk.

4096 bytes in each allocation unit.
57744382 total allocation units on disk.
1021401 allocation units available on disk.

Failed to transfer logged messages to the event log with status 50.
---------------

Comments and further help would be most appreciated! Many thanks.

If you use the DVD that came with the computer, you will restore to Factory Specs, the way the computer was the day your brought it home. No chance to recover your documents.

I would start with the recovery.

If you use the DVD that came with the computer, in basic terms, its like a new install. The recovery, in simple terms is a repair, varies depending on option chosen . It brings you to repair options.

How to use Ubuntu Live CD:

Excuse my ignorance, but tell me what is the purpose of using Ubuntu?

If I understand you correctly, you are proposing that I first run startup repair after booting into recovery disk. After I am able to do that successfully, I can use/install Ubuntu to find my HDD and then transfer the files to an External HDD. I assume that Ubuntu operating system will help me transfer files after recovery. Only after that I am supposed to be reinstalling Vista (which may result in clean install and loss of personal files).

Is my understanding correct?

Click to expand...

Unless your HDD is Destroyed there is a chance to recover your data by Booting into Ubuntu and using a Live CD which will run the Operating System on the Random Access Memory (RAM)

This will not install ubuntu

That way you can access your Personal Data and Move them to an External HDD


then you can Format the HDD and install Windows then Transfer your Files back


I would use the Install Disk rather than the Recovery disk

Hope This Helps,
Josh

It appears that Josh is suggesting that I use the Reinstallation DVD while Rich's saying that the former will erase the data and that I'm better off using Recovery Disk instead.

I'm trying to reconcile Richard's & Josh's advice above. Should I then go about as follows:

Step 1:
Use Recovery Disk to repair

Step 2:
Use Ubuntu Live CD to boot and then carry data backup to External HDD

Step 3:
After the data is backed-up, I carry the Claen Install using Reinstallation DVD. Once normalcy is restored, I transfer the backed-up data.

Is this the best way to go about?

If you are going to recover your document,etc with Ubuntu first, its done. You can then use the method suggested by Josh.

mkak123 said:

It appears that Josh is suggesting that I use the Reinstallation DVD while Rich's saying that the former will erase the data and that I'm better off using Recovery Disk instead.

I'm trying to reconcile Richard's & Josh's advice above. Should I then go about as follows:

Step 1:
Use Recovery Disk to repair

Step 2:
Use Ubuntu Live CD to boot and then carry data backup to External HDD

Step 3:
After the data is backed-up, I carry the Claen Install using Reinstallation DVD. Once normalcy is restored, I transfer the backed-up data.

Is this the best way to go about?

Click to expand...

Yes I would follow these tasks because it is most Likely that the Startup Repair will not work so Doing a Clean Install maybe your Only option I am just giving you the options for doing a clean install while keeping your Data


Many Thanks,
Josh

Here's the update.

Startup Repair:
Last night I ran the Startup Repair using the Recovery Disk. I followed all the steps as detailed in the System Recovery tutorial. Initially it did appear that the Startup Repair had worked (given the "OS booted successfully" message). However, after rebooting it was the same old story. I re-ran Startup Repair number of times - using the quick method, Advanced Option and even through Advanced Boot Option (apparently using OEM partition). In the end, the problem still persists just as I feared and as Josh predicted.

Startup Repair screen shows the following details (I'm not sure how much of this gibberish, but I have highlighted the root causes for quick read):

Problem Event Name: StartupRepairV2
Problem Signature 01: AutoFailover
Problem Signature 02: 6.0.6001.18000.6.0.6001.18000
Problem Signature 03: 1
Problem Signature 04: 196611
Problem Signature 05: NoBootFailure
Problem Signature 06: CorruptFile
Problem Signature 07: 3221226017
Problem Signature 08: 3
Problem Signature 09: WrpRepair
Problem Signature 10: 10
OS Version: 6.0.6000.2.0.0.256.1
Locale ID: 1033


Below are the Startup Repair Diagnosis and repair details:

Startup Repair diagnosis and repair log
-----------------------------------------------------
Last sucessful boot time: 8/9/2010 9:58:30 PM (GMT)
Number of repair attempts: 6

Session details
--------------------------------------
System Disk = \Device\Harddisk0
Windows directory = C:\Windows
AutoChk Run = 0
Number of root causes = 1

Test Performed:
---------------------------------
Name: Check for updates
Result: Completed successfully. Error code = 0x0
Time taken = 0ms

Test Performed:
-----------------------------------
Name: System disk test
Result: Completed successfully. Error code = 0x0
Time taken = 15ms

Test Performed:
-----------------------------------
Name: Disk Failure Diagnosis
Result: Completed successfully. Error code = 0x0
Time taken = 156ms

Test Performed:
--------------------------------------
Name: Disk metadata test
Result: Completed successfully. Error code = 0x0
Time taken = 16ms

Test Performed:
--------------------------------------
Name: Target OS test
Result: Completed successfully. Error code = 0x0
Time taken = 31ms

Test Performed:
--------------------------------------
Name: Volume content check
Result: Completed successfully. Error code = 0x0
Time taken = 16ms

Test Performed:
--------------------------------------
Name: Boot manager diagnosis
Result: Completed successfully. Error code = 0x0
Time taken = 0ms

Test Performed:
--------------------------------------
Name: System boot log diagnosis
Result: Completed successfully. Error code = 0x0
Time taken = 0ms

Test Performed:
--------------------------------------
Name: Event log diagnosis
Result: Completed successfully. Error code = 0x0
Time taken = 15ms

Test Performed:
--------------------------------------
Name: Internal state check
Result: Completed successfully. Error code = 0x0
Time taken = 0ms

Test Performed:
-----------------------------------
Name: Boot Status test
Result: Completed successfully. Error code = 0x0
Time taken = 0ms

Root cause found:
------------------------------
Boot Status indicates that the OS booted successfully
--------------------------------
--------------------------------
Session details
--------------------------------------
System Disk = \Device\Harddisk0
Windows directory = C:\Windows
AutoChk Run = 0
Number of root causes = 1

Test Performed:
---------------------------------
Name: Check for updates
Result: Completed successfully. Error code = 0x0
Time taken = 47ms

Test Performed:
-----------------------------------
Name: System disk test
Result: Completed successfully. Error code = 0x0
Time taken = 0ms

Test Performed:
-----------------------------------
Name: Disk Failure Diagnosis
Result: Completed successfully. Error code = 0x0
Time taken = 109ms

Test Performed:
--------------------------------------
Name: Disk metadata test
Result: Completed successfully. Error code = 0x0
Time taken = 47ms

Test Performed:
--------------------------------------
Name: Target OS test
Result: Completed successfully. Error code = 0x0
Time taken = 31ms

Test Performed:
--------------------------------------
Name: Volume content check
Result: Completed successfully. Error code = 0x0
Time taken = 203ms

Test Performed:
--------------------------------------
Name: Boot manager diagnosis
Result: Completed successfully. Error code = 0x0
Time taken = 0ms

Test Performed:
--------------------------------------
Name: System boot log diagnosis
Result: Completed successfully. Error code = 0x0
Time taken = 0ms

Test Performed:
--------------------------------------
Name: Event log diagnosis
Result: Completed successfully. Error code = 0x0
Time taken = 109ms

Test Performed:
--------------------------------------
Name: Internal state check
Result: Completed successfully. Error code = 0x0
Time taken = 32ms

Test Performed:
-----------------------------------
Name: Boot Status test
Result: Completed successfully. Error code = 0x0
Time taken = 46ms


Test Performed:
-----------------------------------
Name: Setup State test
Result: Completed successfully. Error code = 0x0
Time taken = 640ms

Test Performed:
-----------------------------------
Name: Registry hives test
Result: Completed successfully. Error code = 0x0
Time taken = 4274ms

Test Performed:
-----------------------------------
Name: Windows boot log diagnosis
Result: Completed successfully. Error code = 0x0
Time taken = 0ms

Root cause found:
------------------------------
Boot critical file c:\windows\system32\drivers\ndis.sys is corrupt
Result: Failed. Error code = 0xa
Time taken = 6053ms
--------------------------------
--------------------------------
Session details
--------------------------------------
System Disk = \Device\Harddisk0
Windows directory = C:\Windows
AutoChk Run = 0
Number of root causes = 1

Test Performed:
---------------------------------
Name: Check for updates
Result: Completed successfully. Error code = 0x0
Time taken = 15ms

Test Performed:
-----------------------------------
Name: System disk test
Result: Completed successfully. Error code = 0x0
Time taken = 0ms

Test Performed:
-----------------------------------
Name: Disk Failure Diagnosis
Result: Completed successfully. Error code = 0x0
Time taken = 141ms

Test Performed:
--------------------------------------
Name: Disk metadata test
Result: Completed successfully. Error code = 0x0
Time taken = 15ms

Test Performed:
--------------------------------------
Name: Target OS test
Result: Completed successfully. Error code = 0x0
Time taken = 31ms

Test Performed:
--------------------------------------
Name: Volume content check
Result: Completed successfully. Error code = 0x0
Time taken = 16ms

Test Performed:
--------------------------------------
Name: Boot manager diagnosis
Result: Completed successfully. Error code = 0x0
Time taken = 0ms

Test Performed:
--------------------------------------
Name: System boot log diagnosis
Result: Completed successfully. Error code = 0x0
Time taken = 0ms

Test Performed:
--------------------------------------
Name: Event log diagnosis
Result: Completed successfully. Error code = 0x0
Time taken = 16ms

Test Performed:
--------------------------------------
Name: Internal state check
Result: Completed successfully. Error code = 0x0
Time taken = 0ms

Test Performed:
-----------------------------------
Name: Boot Status test
Result: Completed successfully. Error code = 0x0
Time taken = 0ms


Root cause found:
------------------------------
Boot Status indicates that the OS booted successfully
--------------------------------
--------------------------------

I take it from the above log that the Startup Repair and System Recovery failed.


Data Backup using Ubuntu:

As discussed yesterday, I decided to then backup data using Ubuntu CD (as Josh advised). Ubunto worked fine. I booted and checked Try Ubuntu (without installing). Then I successfully backed the personal data to an External HDD (although Ubuntu seemed less user friendly and lacking in some basic features, but I'm not complaining!).


Clean Install:

I didn't try that last night; but having backed up the data I'm going to try this tonight. I have couple of quick questions before I try clean install.

1. Which of the following tutorials should I implement?

How to Do a Clean Install and Setup with a Full Version of Vista
How to Do a Custom Installation of Vista
How to Do a Clean Install with a Upgrade Version of Vista

Please note that I have at my disposal the Vista Reinstallation DVD (Vista Home Premium 32Bit SP1) that came shipped with my Dell laptop.

2. I presume that the Recovery Disk is not going to useful going forward. I saw "Install Now" and "What to know before installing Windows" in the opening screen of Recovery Disk run. What is that for? Can Recovery Disk still be used for Reinstall (just in case my Reinstallation DVD doesn't help)?

3. I came across "Dell Factory Image Restore" option when using "Advanced Options for System Recovery and Support". Can this option be used?

Please note that I would like to follow least troublesome and most efficient approach for Clean Install.

Comments and further help would be most appreciated! Many thanks.

If you have an upgrade DVD use this
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/68767-clean-install-upgrade-vista.html?ltr=C

If you have the full version, do a full version install.

richc46 said:

If you have an upgrade DVD use this
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/68767-clean-install-upgrade-vista.html?ltr=C

If you have the full version, do a full version install.

Click to expand...

With Reinstallation DVD (originally shipped by Dell with my laptop) at my disposal, what can I do? Is that equivalent to Upgrade Version or Full Version? Please note that the Reinstallation DVD label reads as follows:
---------------
Operating System
Already Installed On Your Computer

Reinstallation DVD
Windows Vista Home Premium 32Bit SP1

The software is already installed on your computer. Use this DVD only to reinstall the operating system on a Dell PC. This DVD is not for reinstallation of programs or drivers.
---------------

Thanks

That will bring you back to factory specs. It will put your computer back like the day you brought it home. It is equivilent to a full version. You are going to have to do all the updates again, SP etc.