In need of help with laptop

[jmacca86]

Hi

After installing an update on my laptop, it will now not boot up at all, it takes me to start up repair every time i turn it on,yet repair says it can't fix the problem, i have tried getting in through safe mode pressing f8 but it still goes to start up repair. I've tried to go to system restore but the only restore point it lets me try comes up with this message

'system restore did not complete successfully. Your computer's system files and settings were not changed.

details:

System restore failed due to an unspecified error.
catastophic failure (0x80000FFFF)


I also tried to restore from my vista back up disk but my cd drive won't read the disk, is there anyway to do it without the disk??

any help would be much apprieciated

thanks

james

 

[patch41]

HI james see if you can get into contol panel, Then programs and features, and in the panel on the left it will say, Tasks under tasks, view installed updates,click on that and uninstall latest update, good luck, im sure somebody will come up with a solution for you,patch41

 

[jmacca86]

hi patch41

thanks for the reply but i can't get into windows at all, it only goes as far as start up repair, then tells me it can fix the problem and shuts down, this happens even when i try to load in safe mode

 

[patch41]

Hi James,
sorry not getting back to you sooner, busy at work,I have the same problem with system restore and i do a system restore in same mode and it works, you could try that, good luck and i am sure somebody with more knowledge than me will come through and help you out...patch41

 

[Imperfect1]

This might be a good time to call Microsoft. There is no-charge for support calls that are associated with security updates. When you call, clearly state that your problem is related to a Security Update and cite the update's KB number (e.g., KB999999). For home users no-charge support is available by calling 1-866-PCSAFETY (866 727 2338).

 

[Lorien]

Hi jmacca86,

If it is indeed a security update that caused the problem, then perhaps the simplest solution is what Imperfect1 recommended; however, this applies only to security updates (not system updates, updates for other products, or optional updates). For those, they would not help you there and would instead refer you to standard Microsoft Support where assistance would be far from free. Plus, at the moment, I'd guess you have no idea what update was installed (the type, name, or KB number) and cannot access the system to find out.

You say you have a "Vista Backup Disk". What do you mean? Is it a genuine Vista Installation Disk? What version of Vista are you using - not just 32-bit (e.g, 32-bit Vista Business SP2)? If it is a genuine Vista Installation Disk, you need to boot to the disk for it to function. To boot to the CD/DVD you may need to change the BIOS to make the CD/DVD-drive first in the boot sequence. To do that, wait for the screen that tells you the F key to push to access the boot menu or boot setup. Push it quickly. Make the changes, save your work, and exit. Put the CD/DVD in the drive and reboot. When prompted, push any key to boot from the CD.

I know you tried some of this before, but I'd like to try again from the disk to see if things are different.

Do you know when this problem began? Try a System Restore to a point in time BEFORE the problem began (yes, I know you tried from the system, but I'd like to try from the disk). Here's the procedure: http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/76905-system-restore-how.html. Be sure to check the box to show more than 5 days of restore points. If the first attempt fails, then try an earlier point or two. NOTE: You will have to re-install any software and updates you installed between now and the restore point, but you can use Windows Update for the updates. Use the recovery disk if the system prompt doesn’t work. The recovery disk works a bit different from the above procedures but if you follow the prompts from the System Restore menu option with the above information you should be able to restore with no problems.

If the System Restore doesn't work, do a Startup Repair by booting to the genuine Windows Vista Installation Disk (or one you can borrow from ANYONE) or from a Recovery Disk with recovery options included on it. Here's the procedure: http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/91467-startup-repair.html.

If you don't have either disk, you can make a bootable Recovery Disk using http://neosmart.net/blog/2008/windows-vista-recovery-disc-download/ along with burning software like: http://www.snapfiles.com/get/active-isoburner.html and, of course, a blank CD (perhaps made on a different computer like the one you used to post to this forum).

If that doesn't work, try to boot into safe mode (repeatedly click the F8 key while booting and go to safe mode with networking – or access the command prompt on the disk). Then let's check some of your system files:

Go to Start / All Programs / Accessories / Command prompt and right click on command prompt and click run as Administrator (you can skip this step if using the disk).

If using the disk, cd to C:\Windows\System32. Type sfc /scannow and enter and let it run. It will scan and try to fix some of your system files. Hopefully it will complete with no corruption it could not repair (if there is such corruption post back here or try to analyze it to find the problem file(s) using http://support.microsoft.com/kb/928228. Try to attach the report (you may need to copy it to a flash drive and tranfer it to another computer before it will permit you to login, come to this site, and attach it) here so we can see if they can be repaired with good copies from the installation disk (unless there are too many).

While in Command Prompt, type chkdsk /f /r and enter and let it run. It will want to schedule itself to run at the next restart. Answer yes and then reboot to run the program. It will scan and try to fix any corruption or bad sectors on your hard drive and mostly remove that as a potential cause.

That's about all that can be done with the disk. If this gives you access normally or through safe mode with networking, then post back and we'll check some other things. Otherwise, post at this point with whatever results and information you have available. We'll then see what's the best to try or do at that time.

I hope this helps.

Good luck!