SP1 installed failed and now can't boot Vista

Hello all,

Here is my sad story. I tried to install SP1 on Ultimate 32bit and it seemed to work -- got to configuring 3 of 3 100% then it said it failed and it proceeded to "revert changes". After this I re-booted and the Desktop came up, but because I had to disable all startup items and Microsoft services before I tried to install, I wanted to restore all this, so I clicked "Normal startup" in MSCONFIG. I re-booted and now Vista won't boot. The screen is dark for a couple seconds and the system re-boots to the BIOS screen. I have tried to use the Recovery DVD (which is OEM), and issue the "repair option" but it doesn't recognize Vista even after I load the drivers for the hard disk, hopwever, when I go to the command prompt, I can see the windows directory and issuing a "bootrec /scanos" returns c:\windows. About the only option that will work on the repair menu is "repair". I have not tried this yet. Does this "fix" it or just return the system to factory (Vista)? Anyway, I was hoping to be able to fix the boot problem without a re-install.

Jordan Krim

Hi jkrim, welcome to the vista forums,

if you have a look at the tutorial here this will explain the process for you,

if you post back with any specific questions before you go ahead I'm sure someone will be able to help

Hey,

So, quoting the article:

If you have a OEM Recovery installation DVD that came with your computer instead, then it will most likely only be a clone of the hard drive with Vista allowing you to only do a clean install with it instead.

I take it from this that I basically have to re-install Vista.

So, let me ask another question which might lead in another direction. If the boot sector is corrupted I supposedly can type:
bootrec /fixboot

But when I do this I get:

"The volume does not contain a recognized file system please make sure that all required file system drivers are loaded and that the volume is not corrupted"

What is wrong here? Do I need to do a "bootrec /fixmbr"?

Jordan

Hi jordan,

first we need to clarify exactly what dvd you have ..

the OEM disk that Shawn refers to in his tutorial is of the manufacturers recovery disk type, which will restore the system to an exact clone of how it left the factory including the manufacturers free software and trials etc. is that the disk you have?

the alternative would be a genuine Microsoft Vista install disk with an OEM type licence, which basically means it can only be installed onto the original PC it was sold with.

with the first type of disk you will not be able to get to the recovery console to perform the boot sector repairs you mention. with the second type you would be able to get to the console and perform the repairs but also should be able to perform a repair install.

Will try to see if Shawn is available to have a look at your problem and advise further

Hi Barman58,

The DVD is form Dell. It is labeled with:

Operating system already installed on your computer
Windows - reinstallation DVD
Vista Ultimate 32 bit

Jordan

Hi Jordan,

That does look like a recovery disk of the first type i mentioned before so the only real option with that disk is to restore the system to the state it was when it left the factory. although if you can get to the recovery console then it can't be! its confusing

have spoken to Shawn and he confirms that unless you have personal files that you need then the total re-install option would be the best considering the problem

If you want to try and recover the system anyway before you go down that route then you could try this method

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/141820-create-recovery-disc.html

which will provide you with a disk to attempt the repair with if you need one.

For your information Microsoft's explanation of Bootrec.exe is here including options

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

hope this helps you to at least decide which route to follow if you want to try to recover your MBR etc.

I would suggest you consider the options and decide if it's worth a try

Hi jkrim.,

To find out what is on your dvd, place it in the dvd drive, click start orb ,click computer, right click the dvd drive and click open.

A window will open showing the files on the dvd , something like this


Take a jpeg screenshot and post it back.

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/148532-how-use-snipping-tool-vista.html


If it turns out not to be the right type of dvd - it is possible to download and create a special recovery dvd, as per barman's post above.

SIW2

Regarding the article:

How to do a startup repair in Vista

The screenshots look exactly the same as when I run my DVD with one glaring exception. In step 5, it is supposed to list your OS, but in my case it is blank.
So, I am hesitant to hit the "Startup Repair" because how does it know what to repair if no OS was listed on the previous screen in the "System Recovery Options" window.
(Again, the disk is accessible from the command prompt with dir c: ).

I will post a screenshot of the DVD contents later. I have to LOL though because the instructions *assume* one is doing it from inside Vista and since I can't boot I can't do this. I do, thank goodness, have another working system (W2K) that I can get it from.

Jordan

Hi Jordan

LOL - wasn't sure what system you were using to make these posts.

Interesting to see what is on that dvd - could you also let us know how big i.e. how many gb the contents are. Those files may be inside one folder, which you will also need to open to view the contents.

Thanks

SIW2

I am having trouble inserting a jpg image in the reply. I have to manually do it until I can get some guidance on how to do it.


EFI file folder 2/21/2007
SOURCES file folder 2/21/2007
SUPPORT file folder 2/21/2007
UPGRADE file folder 2/21/2007
AUTORUN 1 KB setup information 11/02/2006
BOOTMGR 429 KB File 11/02/2006
SETUP 1 KB Application 11/02/.2006

Jordan

Hi Jordan,

Hope the the setup.exe file is bigger than 1kb - if so, it looks promising.

To post the jpeg , follow steps 7 on in the tutorial - ( I know you don't have the snipping tool - those steps show what to do with the jpeg once you've got it )

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/148532-how-use-snipping-tool-vista.html

You need to click the Go Advanced button at the bottom of this page to get to the point you see in step 7.

Got to crash out now - but post it as soon as you can .

Hope this helps
SIW2

OK, here goes:



Jordan

Hi Jordan,

1) It appears to be a straight copy of the full installation disc. They may have made one or two additions/ alterations - it's just possible the product key is included oh the disc - shouldn't be a problem, though. (Do you have a product key , e.g stickered on the machine ?)

2) If that's the case , the repair option you mentioned should allow you to do a startup repair - did it look anything like the first few screenshots in this tutorial ? If the only difference is missing o/s in step 5, you will need to click the "load drivers " tab.

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/91467-startup-repair.html

Please post back and let me know. If it did, I would go ahead and do the startup repair as per the tutorial - the other option is to do a clean install - I would try the startup repair first.

SIW2

Yes, there is a product key on the machine (says Windows Vista Ultimate OEMAct).

I'm a couple steps ahead of you. Just tried the startup repair and of course it failed:

System volume on disk is corrupt
Repair Action: file system repair (chkdsk)
Result Failed error code = 0x1f

I tried a:

chdsk c: /f

This repaired a couple problems. But still can't boot Vista. So I tried this:

bootsect /nt60 c:

Neither of these fixed it. The same message occurs.

Jordan

Hi Jordan,

Probably need to sort out that hd situation first. I'll see if I can get Oldbloke to take a look .

SIW2

Hi SIW2,

Another thing is that the drivers for the SATA hard drive seem to load. But, still the OS does not show up on the recovery options screen, so I just hit next and "startup repair" and got the 0x1f failure.

Jordan

Hi,

Seems to be telling you the volume the boot files are on is corrupt, and that it can't find the files.

Probably worth running seatools for dos - download and make a bootable disc. It has a bad sector fixing function.

Will post link when I find it
SIW2

Here it is

Seagate Technology - SeaTools

How was your drive partitioned and what was on each ?

SIW2

Hi SIW2,

The drive is partitioned with:

FAT16, 78 MB, Dell utilities (hidden)
NTFS, 2 MB, Freespace (used to be the recovery partition) (hidden)
NTFS, 40 GB, Vista
IBM BootManager
1 MB Freespace
FAT16, 2 GB, Warp 4.0
FAT32, 14 GB, Data/Programs
FAT32, 31 GB, Data/Programs
FAT32, 31 GB, Data/Programs
FAT32, 31 GB, Data/Programs


Jordan

Hi Jordan,

There seem to be a couple of options.

You could see if seatools will fix the errors so you can do the startup repair.

Alternatively, you can use the dvd and product key to do a Clean install onto the 40gb Ntfs partition that had your original Vista installation.

You will see in the tutorial that you only need to format and install onto that one partition - your data on the other partitions should not be affected ( as long as you don't format those during the install process )

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/117366-clean-install-full-version-vista.html

It should take 20 or so minutes to do. Don't forget you will need to install a good antivirus before connecting to the net - you may need to download and copy onto a cd using your other machine , then install from that cd onto your newly installed Vista partition.

I recommend the free Avast home edition from www.avast .com

I assume the drivers in Vista will be sufficient to get everything up and running. ( When I reinstall , I just use the onboard video card , till I install the drivers for my graphics card - only thing I really need are the drivers for my gigalan card , as I connect to the net thru that and firewire - you probably don't ).

It is possible to do a Custom install, where the files on that partition are saved into a folder called Windows.old. Unless I had anything on that partition I absolutely can't live without, I would do the Clean Install.

Hope this helps
SIW2