vista boot problem

the family computer won't boot is gets all the way up to this screen



then it just does nothing and the screen goes black

i have put the installation CD in but that doesn't help

i tried doing safe mode but when it comes to menu with safe mode option it won't let me select anything other than start windows normally

 

I think it might be system corrupted.
Last time, I experienced the same thing.
Windows boot to blackscreen and nothing I can do.
After all, I got no choice but reformat/restore to default factory.

 

my dads not going to be happy if we have to format

 

it's not whether your dad will be happy or not, you will have to do it, if u wanna fix the problem.

if you don't want to lose all the data, then connect your computer's HDD to another computer to be able to backup all the information you need, then plug it back into yours and then format it. You'll have a faster / cleaner computer anyway

 

If as you mentioned the windows can't boot to desktop(even in safe-mode), then you might need to format.

@maXimus, Yep! Format is required.

 

Done a safe boot? find out which DLL it crashes on

 

If you read again, he mentioned that he can't even boot into safe mode

 

He said his windows unable to boot into safe-mode, I presumed?
If the windows can't boot into a workable desktop(safemode, normal or watever), I think the last option is reformat.

 

there is a way to fix start up files using teh Vista DVD but I forgot how to do it as I never enforce doing any fix when formatting only takes about an hour and ud get a clean system with a clean registry

EDIT: Nevermind! I just remembered, that solution to fix the MBR/boot files was for XP. Not sure if Vista still has this option to fix.

 

Don't format just yet.

When you "put the installation CD in" are you then booting to the CD? This will find the original windows installation on your hard drive, and allow you to restore/fix that installation, even if it's all jacked, more than likely saving you a format. (and angry dad)

Put in the Windows disc.
Restart and press F12 at immediately at seeing the DELL screen, this should open the "one time boot menu" and allow you to boot to your CD.

 

I know MBR fixing. But I am not sure as well.
Need to type something in the command prompt.

For your info, your computer might be corrupted both in registry and system files. In addition, viruses/spywares/malwares/rootkits live in.

BEST SOLUTION IS FORMAT. You will get a nice clean windows with everything function well and fast!

EDIT: DELL, hard for me LOL. Because I don't touch DELL laptop at all.

 

Dude, formatting was a bit of a hassle back in the Win 98 days, where u had to get your own startup disk, then format manually through DOS, etc....
I still remember the C:\Format c: /s /u /v command

but now with XP, and even easier, Vista, if you understand English, you can format, it's so easy, just type your product key, username, time settings, and tada! you're done

 

Isn't that booting would do a re-installation of windows?

 

my mate has the same on a laptop put does not have the installation cd. what would he do?

 

If it came with the OS preinstalled, then try hitting F8 to enter the recovery console (or whatever the appropriate key is according to your documentation) - I believe that you'll have the opportunity to do a repair installation through the recovery partition files stored on the system by the OEM (provided you haven't deleted that partition already ).