Computer Does Not Boot to Microsoft Windows Vista

Table of Contents:

1. Verify the Computer Finishes Initial Power-Up (POST)
2. Unplug All External Devices
3. Check for Specific Error Messages
4. Run a Computer Diagnostic
5. Boot the Computer into Safe Mode
6. Check for Recent Changes
7. Use Startup Repair to Restore Critical Windows Files
8. Use System Restore to Revert to a Previous State
9. Use Clean-Boot Troubleshooting to Isolate the Software Issue
10. Restore the Operating System to Factory Settings

This article is for Microsoft Windows Vista.
Click below to change the operating system.

• Windows 10
• Windows 8
• Windows 7
• Windows XP

This article describes how to troubleshoot computers that power up correctly and get past the Dell BIOS screen, but do not successfully boot to Microsoft Windows Vista.

Step 1: Verify the Computer Finishes Initial Power-Up (POST)

In many cases a computer will not attempt to hand off control to the operating system. If you power the computer on and you see a Dell logo screen with a bar at the bottom, and that bar fills up completely and disappears, then your computer has successfully completed POST.

Click Here if Your Computer Does Not Complete POST

Step 2: Unplug All External Devices

A piece of hardware may be interfering with the normal boot process of Windows. Try unplugging all devices from your computer, including:

• Printers
• Scanners
• Media Card Readers
• Small Media cradles (iPod, PDA, MP3 player, etc.)
• Digital Cameras and Video Recorders
• USB storage devices
• CDs or DVDs from all optical drives

The only devices you should leave attached to your computer are your monitor, mouse and keyboard, if the computer is a desktop.

Step 3: Check for Specific Error Messages

Dell has information on some specific error messages at startup. Refer to the following links for more information

• Loading PBR for Descriptor generated after POST
• A BLUE SCREEN or STOP error has occurred

If the error message is not listed above, try searching for additional solutions on the Web.
Click on your preferred search engine below, then describe your problem, including any specific error messages.
Search Dell Search Microsoft Search Google Search Bing

Step 4: Run a Computer Diagnostic

To run PSA Diagnostics, turn on the computer and tap the F12 key several times at the Dell logo screen. This will start the One-Time Boot Menu. Select Diagnostics to start the diagnostic assessment of the computer hardware.
This test takes approximately 5 minutes.
If you receive an error from the PSA diagnostics, refer to the Dell Hardware Diagnostics page for further assistance:
Click Here to Troubleshoot Diagnostic Errors

Step 5: Boot the Computer into Safe Mode

1. Start the computer.
2. Tap the F8 key on the keyboard immediately after the Dell logo screen disappears until you see the Windows Advanced Options Menu on the screen.
   (If the Windows Advanced Options Menu does not appear, restart the system and try again.)
3. Select Safe mode and press Enter.
4. Log on as the administrator or as a user with administrative access.

Click here if your computer does not boot to Safe Mode.

Step 6: Check for Recent Changes

If you are able to successfully boot to Safe Mode, check your computer to see if any new software or hardware was recently installed. If so, try uninstalling those programs or hardware from your computer.

Step 7: Use Startup Repair to Restore Critical Windows Files

Startup Repair is a Windows Vista 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

Step 8: Use System Restore to Revert to a Previous State

1. Restart the computer.
2. Tap the F8 key during startup (after the Dell logo screen disappears) 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.

Step 9: Use Clean-Boot Troubleshooting to Isolate the Software Issue

A program or application may be interfering with the normal boot process of Windows. Microsoft has created a detailed process for isolating a startup program that is causing Windows to not boot correctly. Click the link below to being the troubleshooting process:
How to troubleshoot a problem by performing a clean boot in Windows Vista or in Windows 7

Step 10: Restore the Operating System to Factory Settings

If clean boot troubleshooting cannot identify the issue, it may be necessary to restore your computer to factory settings. To restore your computer's operating system and software to the original factory settings, launch the link below:
Launch the Microsoft Windows Reinstallation Guide