Article Number: 000123362
Duration: 01:03
Closed captions: English only
Are you experiencing any of the issues that are listed in the first section of this article? You can find information about how and why you would run a Startup Repair in Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1 and 10 on your Dell PC in the following sections of the article.
Startup Repair - or Automatic Repair in Windows 8, 8.1, and Reset in Windows 10 will try to automatically repair computers that are unbootable because of any of a number of reasons.
However Startup Repair cannot repair unbootable systems caused by any of the following issues:
You will want to run a Startup Repair when you are experiencing these issues, but while it is early enough that no other issues have been caused as a knock on effect.
If there are secondary effects from the main issue, you may be better following a reinstall guide for the systems instead. Please contact your Technical Support if you have problems with this.
Boot to the System Recovery Options screen.
Tapping rapidly on the F12 key at the Dell Splash screen when the system starts up and choose the CD/DVD drive from the Boot Once Menu that appears. You can do the same thing if you have a USB recovery drive, just choose to boot from the USB instead.
Tap rapidly on the SHIFT+F8 key together as the system goes past the Dell Splash screen and it may bring up the Advanced Options screen.
If you still have access to the windows home screen, you can click on Restart while holding down the SHIFT key. Or you can press the Windows+I keys together and choose General and select restart to advanced startup.
(Fig.1 Dell Boot Once Menu)
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Choose Advanced Options for: Windows 8
(Use the arrow keys to highlight your choice.)
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Safe Mode
Safe Mode with Networking
Safe Mode with Command Prompt
Enable Boot Logging
Enable low-resolution video
Debugging Mode
Disable automatic restart on system failure
Disable Driver Signature Enforcement
Disable Early Launch Anti-Malware Driver
Start Windows Normally
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(Fig.13 Advanced Options Menu)
If it asks while it is running select the correct Operating System that you want to do an Automatic Repair on.
(Fig.14 Automatic Repair)
If asked, select an Administrator Account.
(Fig.15 Repair - Select User)
The Automatic Repair will start Diagnosing your PC, and it attempts to automatically repair them.
(Fig.16 Repair - Diagnostics with auto-repair)
If startup repair could not find problems or repair your computer, then either select Shut down to turn off your PC, or click Advanced options to go back to step 2.
(Fig.17 Automatic Repair could not repair your PC screen)
Boot to the System Recovery Options screen using your retail Windows 7 installation disk or system repair disc or appropriately installed bootable thumb drive.
You can do this by tapping rapidly on the F12 key at the Dell Splash screen when the system starts up and choose the CD/DVD drive from the Boot Once Menu that appears.
You can tap rapidly on the F8 key when the System starts up and select the repair your computer. Go to step 5 if this works.
(Fig.1 Dell Boot Once Menu)
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Choose Advanced Options for: Windows 7
(Use the arrow keys to highlight your choice.)
Repair your Computer
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Safe Mode with Networking
Safe Mode with Command Prompt
Enable Boot Logging
Enable low-resolution video (640x480)
Last Known Good Configuration (advanced)
Directory Services Restore Mode
Debugging Mode
Disable automatic restart on system failure
Disable Driver Signature Enforcement
Start Windows Normally
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Press any Key to boot from CD/DVD...
You will get an onscreen message advising setup is copying files. Let it boot to a screen that asks for your language and keyboard settings and choose the appropriate ones for you.
(Fig.8 Language Setup Screen)
You are asked if you want to install, instead look in the corner of the screen and click on the Repair your Computer to bring up the repair options.
(Fig.9 Install Now Screen)
(Fig.10 Recovery Options)
Startup Repair will now scan your computer to attempt to find and fix any startup problems.
(Fig.11 Startup Repair)
(Fig.12 Repair Finish Screen)
If problems cannot be found, then click Next. Click the Restart button to return to the Windows 7 log in screen.
Boot to the System Recovery Options screen using your Windows Vista installation disk or system repair disc.
You can do this by tapping rapidly on the F12 key at the Dell Splash screen when the system starts up and choose the CD/DVD drive from the Boot Once Menu that appears.
(Fig.1 Dell Boot Once Menu)
A message to Press any key to from CD.. appears on-screen quickly when it picks up the installation disc. Press any key when you see this message appear.
Press any Key to boot from CD/DVD...
You will get an onscreen message advising setup is copying files. Let it boot to a screen that asks for your language and keyboard settings and choose the appropriate ones for you.
(Fig.2 Language Setup Screen)
You are asked if you want to install, instead look in the corner of the screen and click on the Repair your Computer to bring up the repair options.
(Fig.3 Install Now Screen)
Select the Startup Repair option from the recovery options screen.
(Fig.4 Recovery Options)
Startup Repair will now scan your computer to attempt to find and fix any startup problems.
(Fig.5 Startup Repair)
(Fig.6 Repair Diagnosis and Repair details)
If problems cannot be found, then click Finish. Click the Restart button to return to the Windows Vista log in screen.
(Fig.7 Could not detect a problem screen)
Inspiron, Latitude, Vostro, XPS, Fixed Workstations
21 Feb 2021
4
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