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Article Number: 000148827

Troubleshooting options if system cannot boot to Windows Vista

Summary: How to resolve your Windows 7 being unable to Safe Mode

This article may have been automatically translated. If you have any feedback regarding its quality, please let us know using the form at the bottom of this page.

Article Content

Symptoms

SLN102006_en_US__1icon As of April 11, 2017, Windows Vista customers are no longer receiving new security updates, non-security hotfixes, free or paid assisted support options, or online technical content updates from Microsoft. This article will no longer be updated and remains for information only. Visit the Microsoft site for the full end of support statement.

 
This article troubleshoots computers that can access the Advanced Options Menu, but cannot boot to any mode of Windows.

 

 

Table of Contents:

  1. Use Startup Repair to Restore Critical Windows Files
  2. Use System Restore to Revert to a Previous State
  3. Attempt to Boot to the Last Known-Good Configuration
  4. Run the Extended Dell Diagnostics
  5. Restore the Operating System to Factory Settings

 

Use Startup Repair to Restore Critical Windows Files
 
Startup Repair is a Windows recovery tool that can fix certain problems, such as missing or damaged system files, that might prevent Windows from starting correctly. When you run Startup Repair, it scans your computer for the problem and then tries to fix it so your computer can start correctly.
To learn more about using Startup Repair to restore critical Windows files, click the link below:

How to Run Windows Startup Repair

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Use System Restore to Revert to a Previous State
 
SLN102006_en_US__3new_note Note:  
  If the Windows Advanced Options menu does not appear, restart the computer and try again.  
 
SLN102006_en_US__3new_note Note:  
  Attempt to restore from the most recent restore point. If this fails to correct the problem, try the next most recent restore point until you find a restore point that resolves the issue. You will need to reinstall any software installed after the selected restore point.  
 
  1. Restart the computer.
  2. Tap < F8 > during startup until the Windows Advanced Options menu appears.
  3. Press < Down Arrow > until Repair Your Computer is highlighted, and then press < Enter >.
  4. In the System Recovery Options window, click to select your language, and then click Next.
  5. Log in as a user with administrative rights, and click OK.
  6. From the Choose a recovery tool menu, click System Restore.
  7. In the System Restore window, click Next.
  8. Click the Show restore points older than 5 days checkbox for a complete listing of restore points.
  9. Click to select a restore point.
  10. Click Next and then click Finish.
  11. Click Yes in the confirmation window.
  12. Click Restart after system restore successfully completes.
  13. If you encounter any error messages during the restore process, follow the on-screen instructions to correct the error.
We have an informative video on this topic which can also help you with these steps.

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Attempt to Boot to the Last Known-Good Configuration

The Last Known-Good Configuration can help you reestablish the settings that your computer used the last time that you successfully booted to Windows. To invoke the Last Known-Good Configuration, perform the following steps.
  1. Power on the system.
  2. Press < F8 > when the message For troubleshooting and advanced startup options for Windows, press F8 appears.
  3. Choose Last Known-Good Configuration. 
 
SLN102006_en_US__3new_note Note:  
  This procedure only works if the system has not successfully booted since any changes were made.  

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Run the Extended Dell Diagnostics

A piece of hardware may be interfering with the normal boot process of Windows. Dell has an exhaustive suite of diagnostic tools to identify hardware problems on your Dell computer. Click the link below to get information on running the Dell 32-bit diagnostics.

How to Run the Dell Diagnostics Utility

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Restore the Operating System to Factory Settings

A critical error has occured with your operating system that is neither hardware related, nor can it be repaired using standard system tools. To restore your computer's operating system and software to the original factory settings, launch the link below:

Launch the Microsoft Windows Reinstallation Guide

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Cause

See above

Resolution

See Above

Article Properties

Last Published Date

05 Dec 2023

Version

5

Article Type

Solution

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