Published by

**Brink** · 26 Aug 2007

How to Boot to the Advanced Boot Options in Vista

Information

This will show you how to boot into the Advanced Boot Options screen to select options to start Vista in advanced troubleshooting modes.

Here's How:

1. Start or restart the computer.

2. If you Multi Boot with more than One Operating System

A) At the Windows Boot Manager screen, select the OS you want to use the Advanced Boot Options for, then press F8. (see screenshot below)

3. If you Only Boot with One Operating System (ex: Vista)

A) Press (tap) F8 on your keyboard about every second as soon as you turn the computer on until you see
the screenshot below.
NOTE: If the Windows logo appears, you will need to repeat steps 1 and 3 again. If you dual boot, then you will need to select the OS you want to use the Advanced Boot Option for and then press F8.

4. Use the arrow keys to select an advanced option to start Vista into and press Enter.

Advanced Option	Description
Repair Your Computer	This options will only be available if you have a OEM computer with a recovery partition on your hard drive. Otherwise, you will need to use the System Recovery Options from your retail Vista installation disk. Repair Your Computer shows a list of system recovery tools that you can use to repair startup problems, run diagnostics, or restore your system.
Safe Mode	This starts Vista with a minimal set of drivers and services.
Safe Mode with Networking	This starts Vista in safe mode and includes the network drivers and services needed to access the Internet or other computers on your network.
Safe Mode with Command Prompt	This starts Vista in safe mode with a command prompt window instead of the usual Windows interface. To exit from here, press Ctrl+Alt+Delete or type Exit and press Enter.
Enable Boot Logging	Creates a file named ntbtlog.txt, that lists all the drivers that are installed during startup.
Enable Low Resolution Video (640 X 480)	Starts Vista using your current video driver and using low resolution and refresh rate settings. You can use this mode to reset your display settings, or to use a television monitor with your computer if needed.
Last Know Good Configuration (advanced)	Starts Vista with the last registry and driver configurations that worked successfully. For more information, see: Windows Help and How-to: Using Last Known Good Configuration
Directory Services Restore Mode	Starts Vista's domain controller running Active Directory so that the directory service can be restored. This option is intended for IT professionals and administrators.
Debugging Mode	Starts Vista in an advanced troubleshooting mode intended for IT professionals and system administrators.
Disable Automatic Restart on System Failure	Prevents Vista from automatically restarting if an error causes Vista to fail. Choose this option only if Vista is stuck in a loop where Vista fails, attempts to restart, and fails again repeatedly.
Disable Driver Signature Enforcement	Allows drivers containing improper signatures to be installed.
Start Windows Normally	Starts Vista in its normal mode to the logon screen or user desktop.

That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

**Gringo** · 29 May 2008

Brink, thanks buddy. I have about as much computer geek in me as the Eelephant Man had good looks, but I got through this mess nonetheless. I used Option 1 and it worked like a charm. Many thanks and I owe you a beer.

**Brink** · 29 May 2008

Your welcome Gringo, and welcome to Vista Forums.

Cheers,
Shawn

**bennys** · 01 Aug 2008

Hello!
I'm also a computer challended guy. Just wondering, what does the advance boot do? does it speed up the booting time?

Thanks.

**Brink** · 01 Aug 2008

Hi Bennys,

Umm, the description of them had disappeared for some reason. They are back now. The Advanced Boot Options are used to help troubleshoot and fix problems with the computer.

**bling** · 04 Oct 2008

hey i realy need help pls!!i have vista basic and after i log on i get a black screen with a cursor on it TEMPORARILY ONLY (AFTER IT SAYS WELCOME I GET A BLACK SCREEN WITH A CURSOR ON IT TEMPORARILY FOR ABOUT 1 MIN AND 15 SECONDS )i can get in to the task manager i also tried explorer.exe but to no avail then after 1 min 15 secs i get to my desktop ive read few other threads on here but their case is worse but the biggest problem is that i had vista pre-installed (so no installation cd

)pls can u guys help me as it is vista takes some time to load and besides that this black screen
Ive heard of few other people getting it but in their case it never goes into their desktop Ive herad its called the black screen of death

**barman58** · 04 Oct 2008

Hello Bling, Welcome to the Vista Forums,

Not sure if this would get you better support as a new post,

Anyway,

Create a Recovery Disc

Have a look at the tutorial and would suggest you create such a disk for future use even if you don't use it immediately

**bling** · 04 Oct 2008

k i have my recovery disks given to me by my hp manufacturer

**barman58** · 04 Oct 2008

Hi Bling,

Sorry my post did not clarify what I was suggesting

It's possible to perform a start-up repair for vista, using a retail DVD, unfortunately the disks provided by most, but not all, larger manufacturers are not MS disks but their own which use an image to restore the system to it's state when leaving the factory. This is an "all or nothing" solution and may not be appropriate for many issues which can be better solved by using the options available with a repair disk, which provides the options in Shawn's tutorial

Startup Repair

If you want to try the startup repair option to solve your issues you will need either and original Vista Retail disk or the disk in my first post.

hope this is a little clearer

**bling** · 04 Oct 2008

k im downloading the torrent file which you specified to make the recovery disk for my 32 bit thank you so much

im sorry barman i tried it ,it says theres no problem and the problem persists

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