Vista - System Recovery Options

**Brink** · **METHOD ONE:**

How to Boot to the System Recovery Options in Vista

Information

This will show you how to boot to the System Recovery Options screen to select the Startup Repair, System Restore, Complete PC Restore, Memory Diagnostic Tool, or Command Prompt option to use on Vista.

NOTE

The System Recovery Options menu is on the Vista installation disc. If your computer manufacturer (OEM) has preinstalled recovery options, the menu might also be installed on your hard disk as a recovery partition. If your computer does not include the System Recovery Options menu, your computer manufacturer (OEM) might have customized or replaced the tool. Check the information that came with your computer or go to the manufacturer's website.

RELATED LINKS:

METHOD ONE:
Using a OEM Recovery Partition

NOTE

This is if your computer did not come with a Vista installation DVD, and has pre-installed recovery options (recovery partition) instead.

1. Start or Restart the computer.

2. Boot into the Advanced Boot Options screen.
A) Select Repair your computer and press Enter.

3. Select your language preferences and click on Next. (See screeshot below).

4. Select a user name and type in the password, and then click on OK.

5. Go to and follow steps 5 and 6 in METHOD TWO below.

METHOD TWO:
Using a Vista Installation Disc

1. Insert the Vista installation disc, or your Recovery Disc, into the CD or DVD drive and restart the computer.
WARNING: Check to make sure that you set the BIOS to have the CD or DVD drive listed first in the boot order.

2. If prompted, press any key to boot from the Vista installation DVD. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: You will only have about 8 seconds to press this key.

3. Select your language preferences and click on Next. (See screeshot below).

4. Click on Repair your computer. (See screenshot below)

5. Select which operating system you want to restore and the click on Next. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: If Vista is not listed here, or it is blank, then it is ok. Click on Next anyway.

6. Select the system recovery option you want to do. (See screenshot below)
Startup Repair

System Restore

Windows Complete PC Backup

Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool

Command Prompt

That's it,
Shawn

**SIW2** · 11-27-2008

Nice one Shawn , really clear.

Are you thinking of doing one for the commands to repair the bootloader if the automated startup repair doesn't work ?

Not that you haven't done enough already - just that it would be good to have a tutorial here to point people to.

SIW2

**Brink** · 11-27-2008

LOL yep, just fixing to add the Command Prompt option on here.

**Brink** · 11-27-2008

Ok, added.

**SIW2** · 11-27-2008

Hi Shawn ,

Great , thanks.

Do you think it's worth adding this link to the MS kb for the actual commands to use?

How to use the Bootrec.exe tool in the Windows Recovery Environment to troubleshoot and repair startup issues in Windows Vista

SIW2

**Brink** · 11-27-2008

Sure, but I think it woud be better as a separate tutorial instead with that link included for more information.

**SIW2** · 11-27-2008

Yes would be better - more work for you though LOL

SIW2

**Brink** · 11-27-2008

LOL, you're right. I'll add the link for now until I get some free time (some year) to create one for it.

**bennys** · 12-02-2008

Hello Shawn !
I have the Vista Installation CD, therefore, I can comfortably perform the Method Two Option. I've also created a new partition(D:) just for the Windows Complete PC Backup. Obviously, I can not boot in the "Advanced Boot Options". So, how do I go about to perform a full computer restoration using my D: drive?

Thanks.

**Brink** · 12-02-2008

Hi Bennys,

For a System Restore, once you boot into the System Recovery Options screen from Method Two above, you would just select the System Restore option and select the Complete PC Backup on the D: drive.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

11-27-2008
SIW2 VISTA HOME PREMIUM X64/ 7 x64 / 7x86 2,301 posts	Re: System Recovery Options Nice one Shawn , really clear. Are you thinking of doing one for the commands to repair the bootloader if the automated startup repair doesn't work ? Not that you haven't done enough already - just that it would be good to have a tutorial here to point people to. SIW2
My System Specs

11-27-2008
Brink Vista x64 Ultimate SP2, Windows 7 Ultimate x64 25,919 posts	Re: System Recovery Options LOL yep, just fixing to add the Command Prompt option on here.
My System Specs

11-27-2008
Brink Vista x64 Ultimate SP2, Windows 7 Ultimate x64 25,919 posts	Re: System Recovery Options Ok, added.
My System Specs

11-27-2008
SIW2 VISTA HOME PREMIUM X64/ 7 x64 / 7x86 2,301 posts	Re: System Recovery Options Hi Shawn , Great , thanks. Do you think it's worth adding this link to the MS kb for the actual commands to use? How to use the Bootrec.exe tool in the Windows Recovery Environment to troubleshoot and repair startup issues in Windows Vista SIW2
My System Specs

11-27-2008
Brink Vista x64 Ultimate SP2, Windows 7 Ultimate x64 25,919 posts	Re: System Recovery Options Sure, but I think it woud be better as a separate tutorial instead with that link included for more information.
My System Specs

11-27-2008
SIW2 VISTA HOME PREMIUM X64/ 7 x64 / 7x86 2,301 posts	Re: System Recovery Options Yes would be better - more work for you though LOL SIW2
My System Specs

11-27-2008
Brink Vista x64 Ultimate SP2, Windows 7 Ultimate x64 25,919 posts	Re: System Recovery Options LOL, you're right. I'll add the link for now until I get some free time (some year) to create one for it.
My System Specs

12-02-2008
bennys window vista 85 posts	Re: System Recovery Options Hello Shawn ! I have the Vista Installation CD, therefore, I can comfortably perform the Method Two Option. I've also created a new partition(D:) just for the Windows Complete PC Backup. Obviously, I can not boot in the "Advanced Boot Options". So, how do I go about to perform a full computer restoration using my D: drive? Thanks.
My System Specs

12-02-2008
Brink Vista x64 Ultimate SP2, Windows 7 Ultimate x64 25,919 posts	Re: System Recovery Options Hi Bennys, For a System Restore, once you boot into the System Recovery Options screen from Method Two above, you would just select the System Restore option and select the Complete PC Backup on the D: drive. Hope this helps, Shawn
My System Specs

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