Windows won't boot and startup repair can't fix it.

[Fjork]

Every time I try to boot my pc it crashes and recommends I enter startup repair. It's an Acer T180 running Vista Home premium and I'd appreciate any help I can get.

 

[tom982]

Hello Fjork and welcome to the forums

Does booting into safe mode work?

Tom

 

[richc46]

We can try a factory reset, but you will lose your stuff. Want to save stuff first?
or
try safe mode
or
If you have an install DVD, we can try a repair install
Can you get to the system restore?

 

[richc46]

Tom and I were typing at the same time. Start with his suggested safe mode and then follow my suggestions. I think we will get this to work.

 

[tom982]

Tom and I were typing at the same time. Start with his suggested safe mode and then follow my suggestions. I think we will get this to work.

Great minds think alike eh?

 

[Fjork]

Is there a way I can boot into safe mode? Everytime I crash it it just comes up with the startup repair option.

 

[tom982]

Try this:

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/123496-safe-mode.html

Tom

 

[Fjork]

The safe mode boot did not work.
Regarding your earlier questions:

All I'd lose that I'd really care about is some holiday photos

There is no visible system restore option in the boot menu, I've had to restore before and it's in the start menu.

 

[richc46]

If safe mode does not work, it may be hardware problem.
Lets try a factory reset. What is the make and model of your computer?
If hardware this option will not work. Then we try to install ubuntu, if that does not install its hardware.
Give me the make and model of your computer. If we try and it does not work, try to install this. If its installs it is not hardware
http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/wind...backup-files-from-your-dead-windows-computer/
Forget the backup portion, just install.

 

[Fjork]

It's an Acer Aspire T180. It was only like $300 and its been giving me problems since day 1 so I'm ok if I can't get it working again but obviously I'd like to avoid the expense of getting a new one.

 

[richc46]

Boot and do this
If the recovery partition is intact, boot the machine and press ALT + F10 simultaneously.
If that does not work, try Ubuntu, per my above post.

 

[Fjork]

The Alt+F10 thing worked so I guess I'll restore it unless there is a way I can try that'll let me save my photos.

 

[richc46]

If you initiated f10, stuff is gone. I suggest that you let the computer do its thing. Be happy if we can fix it. If you did not start the f10, use ubutu to save your stuff.
Once you have your stuff use f10

 

[Fjork]

I haven't started it yet, still waiting at the confirmation page, but I'm pretty sure I have them on my memory card still so I'm going to go for it.

On a side note, assuming the restore doesn't fix this persistent problem, I have slowly been losing working USB ports. Why is this happening and what can I do about that?

 

[richc46]

USB can be driver problem. But lets get this done first.
Wish you luck, buddy.

 

[Fjork]

Thanks. The restore has finished and windows is booting. So far so good.

 

[Fjork]

The restore was successful and I got everything set up again. Thanks a ton for your help.

What so you suggest I do about the USB ports?

 

[richc46]

Are they still bad with the restore?

 

[Fjork]

Unfortunately yes.

 

[richc46]

Sorry about that
Go to search, by start button
Type device manager
Then toward the bottom you will see Universal Serial Business
Click on that and update the drivers
If you see yellow markers, then that is assuredly the problem.