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    No option to repair from Vista cd

    Discussion in 'Alienware 17 and M17x' started by Omroth, Dec 18, 2010.

  1. Omroth

    Omroth Notebook Guru

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    Hey guys.

    When I start windows, I get the following message:

    Windows boot manager:

    Windows failed to start blah blab blah
    Put your Vista CD in and click "repair your computer"

    File: \windows\system32\config\system
    Status: 0xc000014c
    Info: Windows failed to load because the system registry file is missing or corrupt

    Unfortunately, when I boot from the Vista CD it just tries to install Windows - it never gives me the option to "repair".

    Any help would be hugely appreciated.

    Thanks,
    Ian
     
    Omroth, Dec 18, 2010
    #1
  2. flipfire

    flipfire Moderately Boss

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    Where did you get this Vista CD from?

    Do you not get this screen?

    [​IMG]
     
    flipfire, Dec 18, 2010
    #2
  3. Omroth

    Omroth Notebook Guru

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    This is the Vista install cd I got with the m17x. I don't see that screen - it takes me straight to asking for my language then tells me I don't have enough disc space to install.
     
    Omroth, Dec 18, 2010
    #3
  4. Psychotic deformity

    Psychotic deformity Notebook Consultant

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    I think you need a vista cd/dvd that includes SP1 and or SP2 depending on the SP you have installed for it to work, i don't have that option either. Or maybe it's just because it's an OEM Alienware version and it simply doesn't allow repair. Either way there is nothing you can do about it I believe.

    see here: http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/88236-repair-install-vista.html
     
    Psychotic deformity, Dec 18, 2010
    #4
  5. dave-p

    dave-p Notebook Deity

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    Time to upgrade to Win 7
     
    dave-p, Dec 18, 2010
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  6. Omroth

    Omroth Notebook Guru

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    What's the best way to back up my hard drive first? It's not easy to put my HD in a different computer.
     
    Omroth, Dec 18, 2010
    #6
  7. Omroth

    Omroth Notebook Guru

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    Arg, also - how do I get the free Win7 I was supposed to have with my laptop?
     
    Omroth, Dec 18, 2010
    #7
  8. dave-p

    dave-p Notebook Deity

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    You can backup to an external drive via USB or E-sata

    You can backup to DVDs if your not talking about too large of a data file(s)

    The WIn7 upgrade progam was done via registraition at Mircrosofts web site.

    There should have beeen some info with the laptop on the Win 7 upgrade

    I am not sure it is still available,but worth checking in to
     
    dave-p, Dec 18, 2010
    #8