Solved Vista will not start

I have a Compaq Presario running Vista.

It shut off and when I tried to start it, I had to use a restore point. It worked for only about 5 minutes and it shut off again. This time, it told me there was no restore point available.

I did a System restore several times and it still wouldn't restart. At the bottom of "Startup Repair", it said "Registry is corrupt."

We've moved a couple of time since I bought this PC and the CDs are nowhere to be found.

Is there anything I can do to save this puppy?

Thank you

Use this website to download a repair disk: Download a repair/ recovery cd for Windows 8, 7 and windows Vista

Then use this tutorial. Use step 6 method 2: http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/101393-repair-vista-options-preferred-sequence.html

There is also this once you get the repair disk: http://www.vistax64.com/vista-performance-maintenance/217847-corrupt-registry-repair.html#post999527

If neither of those work you will have to do a repair install which will require that you reinstall programs and drivers however your data "should" be left intact. Disclaimer: perform a backup before performing a reinstall. http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/88236-repair-install-vista.html

"Use this website to download a repair disk: Download a repair/ recovery cd for Windows 8, 7 and windows Vista

Then use this tutorial. Use step 6 method 2: Repair Vista Options - Preferred Sequence

There is also this once you get the repair disk: Corrupt registry repair"

I don't have a way to download and burn a CD. Can I download and use a flashdrive?


"If neither of those work you will have to do a repair install which will require that you reinstall programs and drivers however your data "should" be left intact. Disclaimer: perform a backup before performing a reinstall. Repair Install For Vista"

If neither of them work, I won't be able to reinstall programs and drivers because I can't start the PC.

Make and model of computer, please.

jimmieballgame said:

"Use this website to download a repair disk: Download a repair/ recovery cd for Windows 8, 7 and windows Vista Then use this tutorial. Use step 6 method 2: Repair Vista Options - Preferred Sequence There is also this once you get the repair disk: Corrupt registry repair" I don't have a way to download and burn a CD. Can I download and use a flashdrive? "If neither of those work you will have to do a repair install which will require that you reinstall programs and drivers however your data "should" be left intact. Disclaimer: perform a backup before performing a reinstall. Repair Install For Vista" If neither of them work, I won't be able to reinstall programs and drivers because I can't start the PC.

Click to expand...

That program should work on a usb drive provided that your system has the ability to boot from usb. Not all do. As for my comment if you have to do a repair install your system will be usable however your programs will have to be reinstalled.

Boot and run Linux from a USB flash memory stick | USB Pen Drive Linux
To get an operating system on a usb stick
Use Ubuntu Live CD to Backup Files from Your Dead Windows Computer
How to recover your files

richc46 said:

Make and model of computer, please.

Click to expand...

Compaq Presario SR5010NX

Sorry about forgetting it.

townsbg said:

That program should work on a usb drive provided that your system has the ability to boot from usb. Not all do. As for my comment if you have to do a repair install your system will be usable however your programs will have to be reinstalled.

Click to expand...

Is there a way I can find out before hand if my Compaq Presario SR5010NX will accept a boot from usb?


When you say "programs will have to be reinstalled", you mean that Windows Vista will be fixed but I'll need to reinstall Firefox, OpenOffice, etc.?

ilikefree said:

Boot and run Linux from a USB flash memory stick | USB Pen Drive Linux
To get an operating system on a usb stick
Use Ubuntu Live CD to Backup Files from Your Dead Windows Computer
How to recover your files

Click to expand...

WOW. I'm standing on a 1 meter diving board asking for help and you are telling me how to cliff dive in Acapulco.

I appreciate your help. Maybe a different path.... I've got a 1 TB hard drive that is in the box. Can I put that in the case, load Linux on it and use that as my Master hard drive? What would I need to do to get everything (pictures, videos, music) off of my old Vista drive onto the new Linux hard drive? I've never used Linux before even though I've given it some thought.

Using Ubuntu as suggested by Ilikefree, back up your stuff then try the recovery partitition. YOur stuff will be lost, unless saved, but your computer will be back like the day that you bought it.
Compaq Recovery Partition Procedures | eHow