Repair Vista or Windows 7

How to Repair a Vista or Windows 7 Installation

If your Vista or Windows 7 system isn't working properly, there are some tools built into the operating system that you can use to attempt repairs. If your computer can boot up into the Windows desktop, I suggest that you first try the System Restore tool. This will roll back the state of your Windows system to an earlier point in time. The problem may be some change you've made recently, such as a new program that did not install properly. To run System Restore,

• Click on the Start button
• Click All Programs
• Click Accessories
• Click Systems Tools
• Click System Restore

In the System Restore screen, click on "Choose a different restore point" to display a list of restore points that have been created in the past. Click on a recent restore point to select it. You will lose recently installed programs, but not your documents or data files, during a System Restore. Before executing the system restore you can see a list of what programs will be affected; just click on the button labeled "Show affected programs and drivers."

Click Next, then Finish. After the restoration process ends, click Finish to restart the system.

The Startup Repair Option

If System Restore does not solve your problems, or you cannot boot up normally, try the Startup Repair procedure. Startup Repair is an option in the Vista and Windows 7 System Recovery Options menu. Startup Repair will scan your computer for things that might prevent Windows from starting correctly, such as missing or damaged system files. If it finds a problem, it will try to fix or replace the affected files so your computer can start normally.

Startup Repair should be used only after trying System Restore, because it will wipe out many custom settings, drivers, and other operating system files. You will have to reconfigure Windows to your taste and reinstall third-party drivers.

Below are instructions on how to run Startup Repair. I suggest you read and print them before beginning, because you'll have to restart your computer in order to continue.

The System Recovery Options menu may be pre-installed on your Vista or Win7 system. If that's the case, you can access System Recovery Options by restarting your computer and holding down the F8 key. When the Advanced Boot Options screen appears, choose the "Repair your computer" option, press Enter, and then select "Startup Repair."

If the "Repair your computer" option isn't there, you'll have to access it from the Windows installation disk as follows:

• Insert the Vista or Windows 7 installation disc in the drive, and restart your computer.
• If you're prompted to do so, press a key to start Windows from the installation disc, instead of the hard drive.
• Choose your language and/or keyboard settings, then click Next.
• Click on Repair your computer
• Select the Windows installation you want to repair, then click Next. If you have only one Windows installation on your computer, you may be able to skip this step.
• When the System Recovery Options menu appears, click Startup Repair

Startup Repair will begin to scan your system for errors, and may ask you some questions during the repair process. Your computer may also restart several times during the process. If repairs are successful, you'll reboot normally into your Windows desktop. If not, Startup Repair will display a list of the problems it found, along with instructions on how to get further support.

I also recommend that you run the Disk Cleanup utility (Click Start, All Programs, Accessories, System Tools, then Disk Cleanup) after any repair, to remove old and temporary files, then reboot once more into your repaired Windows installation.

Do you have something to say about repairing a Vista or Windows 7 system? Post your comment or question below...