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    Retail Vista Ultimate wont boot after install

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by doobie04, Sep 7, 2008.

  1. doobie04

    doobie04 Notebook Consultant

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    I have tried multiple times, but my retail vista ultimate will not boot after install. it keeps going to the screen that asks you if you want to start from safe mode. i try every option but nothing is working. Ive have also tried multiple hard drives with the same results.

    i have a Dell Vostro 1400, any help would be appreciated.
     
  2. qhn

    qhn Notebook User

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    how much ram do you currently have? Try remove one module and see.

    cheers ...
     
  3. powerpack

    powerpack Notebook Prophet

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    Not clear? Will it start in safe mode? Did you have XP before or Vista? Have you tried starting with disk in?
     
  4. doobie04

    doobie04 Notebook Consultant

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    i have two sticks (4 gb) but my xp pro boots without a problem.

    nope, it wont boot in safe mode or anything just keeps going back to that same screen. i had vista on it when i bought it, and then put xp pro on it. i formatted it first. i did the same thing with xp when trying to go back to vista.

    what i dont get is xp pro will still install and boot just fine.
     
  5. qhn

    qhn Notebook User

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    ^^that is ok, remove one stick, let it start and update, then you can put it back.

    cheers ...
     
  6. doobie04

    doobie04 Notebook Consultant

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    ill give it a try. :confused:
     
  7. powerpack

    powerpack Notebook Prophet

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    Well I was thinking driver issues but guess that is ruled out?

    Can you get the DeLL factory Vista up and running?
     
  8. doobie04

    doobie04 Notebook Consultant

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    did not work....keep getting windows error recovery
     
  9. doobie04

    doobie04 Notebook Consultant

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    dont have a dell disk, and i formatted the original partitions that it came with.
     
  10. powerpack

    powerpack Notebook Prophet

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    Does it take you to the same screen as if you had pressed F8 repeatedly? If not then start and hit F8 repeatedly and try safe mode.
     
  11. doobie04

    doobie04 Notebook Consultant

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    yes, i think thats the advanced boot options and no matter what i do, choose safe mode, safe mode with networking, or last known good configuration it will keep going back to the same screen.