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Vista won't start

  • 28-01-2010 2:53pm
    #1
    Alliandre
    Closed Accounts Posts: 129 ✭✭


    I'm trying to help my parents out with their computer. It's a packard bell PC and it's running Vista. Every time it's started up, it displays an error message "Windows failed to start. A recent hardware or software change might be the cause" along with instructions to fix it by using the Vista installation disk. We couldn't find a disk that came with it, except for a Packard Bell disk which PC World said doesn't have the operating system on it and that a recovery disk should have been created when first setting up the computer. Does anyone know of an alternate solution to this problem? Or is it possible to use a Vista disk from a different computer?


Comments

  • #2
    OFlaherty
    Closed Accounts Posts: 37 ✭OFlaherty


    If you can get hold of a proper vista disk, it will do the trick. Just insert it (make sure your bios is set to boot from cd/dvd) and when it starts up run the recovery console. :)


  • #3
    Standard Toaster
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,288 ✭✭✭✭Standard Toaster


    Hit F8 on boot for more options.

    Try "Last Good Known Configuration"


  • #4
    marco_polo
    Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 10,088 Mod ✭✭✭✭marco_polo


    Alliandre wrote: »
    I'm trying to help my parents out with their computer. It's a packard bell PC and it's running Vista. Every time it's started up, it displays an error message "Windows failed to start. A recent hardware or software change might be the cause" along with instructions to fix it by using the Vista installation disk. We couldn't find a disk that came with it, except for a Packard Bell disk which PC World said doesn't have the operating system on it and that a recovery disk should have been created when first setting up the computer. Does anyone know of an alternate solution to this problem? Or is it possible to use a Vista disk from a different computer?

    Did PC world check for a recovery partition? I think that is the recovery option that comes with alot of packard bell PCs depending on the model. If you have one it should be accessible by pressing F11 on boot.


  • #5
    mehmeh12
    Closed Accounts Posts: 921 ✭✭✭mehmeh12


    Do you have to reinstall vista?

    i used to have vista but a major virus caused me to reformat. I downgraded to windows xp pro and computer is much faster-plus with vista some of the drivers for my peripherals eg printer, mp3 player did not work properly. Just my 2c.


  • #6
    roberthurley14
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 105 ✭✭roberthurley14


    ild get hold of an XP or & disc and just do a clean install u can use programs to take info off the harddrive such as files and such but the name of it has slipped my mind..


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  • #7
    x in the city
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,134 ✭✭✭x in the city


    Alliandre wrote: »
    I'm trying to help my parents out with their computer. It's a packard bell PC and it's running Vista. Every time it's started up, it displays an error message "Windows failed to start. A recent hardware or software change might be the cause" along with instructions to fix it by using the Vista installation disk. We couldn't find a disk that came with it, except for a Packard Bell disk which PC World said doesn't have the operating system on it and that a recovery disk should have been created when first setting up the computer. Does anyone know of an alternate solution to this problem? Or is it possible to use a Vista disk from a different computer?

    vista and packar bell is a disaster waiting to happen

    get an external hdd and take out your own one and back up your data on an ext computer.

    then install xp

    solved


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