Check Power If your computer does nothing at all when you try to start it, first check
that the power cable is securely plugged in at the back of the computer
as well as into a working power outlet. If the computer is plugged into a
surge protector, see if the surge protector has a reset switch that you
can push. (If it doesn't have a reset switch and the problem is with the
surge protector, it will need to be replaced.) Try plugging a lamp or
other device into one of the surge protector's outlets to make sure it's
working.
Check Monitor If you can hear the computer's fan or hard-disk
drive, or if you can see indicator lights on the main unit but the
monitor stays dark, make sure that the monitor is connected to a working
power source, that it's turned on and that it's securely connected to the
computer via the video cable.
Non System Disk If the monitor and computer have power but the
computer displays a "Non-system disk or disk error" message,
check to make sure you didn't leave a disk in the A: drive. If you did,
eject it and restart the computer.
Operating System does not complete startup If the OS still won't
start even though the computer and monitor have power, try restarting
with a Windows CD-ROM in the CD-ROM drive. Hard Disk - If the operating
system then starts, your problem is probably with the startup hard drive
or with the operating system installed on it. If you can't fix the drive,
you'll have to replace it.
Various Repair Tools are Available from Pressing F8 (over and
over) as your computer starts:
Tools in Windows XP and Vista:
Safe Mode - Starts Windows with only core drivers and services. Use this
when you cannot boot after installing a new device or driver.
Safe Mode with Networking - Starts Windows with core drivers and
networking support.
Safe Mode with Command Prompt - Starts Windows with core drivers and
launches a command prompt window.
Enable Boot Logging - Creates ntbt.log which lists all drivers loaded at
startup, including the last driver before failure.
Enable VGA or Low Resolution Video - 640 x 480.
Last Known Good Configuration - Uses the most recent settings that
worked.
Directory Services Restore Mode - use with Windows Domain Controllers
only.
Debugging Mode - enables Windows Kernel debugger. Disable Automatic
Restart - no restart on system failure.
Start Window Normally
Following Additional Modes are available with Vista:
Repair Your Computer - view list of system recovery tools:
- Startup Repair – automatically fix problems that prevent Windows from
starting.
- System Restore - Restore Windows to an earlier point in time.
- Windows Complete PC Restore - Restore your entire computer from backup.
- Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool - Checks for memory hardware errors.
- Command Prompt - Opens a command prompt window.
- Recovery Manager - Uses recovery from an available backup.
Disable Driver Signature Enforcement - Enable use of unsigned drivers.
