I have an OEM installation of Vista Ultimate (x32) on a new pc. I am unable
to run System Recovery Options either from the Vista DVD or from the WinRE
partition using the Advanced Boot Menu. The support personnel at my OEM
advice that re-installing Vista is my only option to enable Sytsem Recovery
Options. Does anyone have any less drastic alternatives?

To confirm my situation:-
* on booting from the Vista DVD I get the 'language, time and keyboard'
screen, then the 'Install Now' screen but this does not include "Repair Your
Computer" at the bottom left.

* If I hit F8 during boot I get to the Advanced Boot Menu. This has 11
options starting with Safe Mode but it does not have "Repair Your Computer"
as the first option.

I am having problems with an intermitent boot and shutdown problem and so I
would like to try Startup Repair.

Are you sure you are actually *rebooting* using the Windows Installation DVD
(i.e insert the dvd, shutdown/restart the PC, boot from DVD) rather than
just inserting the DVD and opening it from within Vista?


--
Andy Sweet
Windows User Assistance team
Microsoft Corporation

Yes.

Incidentally, by 'x32' I meant the 32bit version as opposed to 64.
Apologies for the confusion.

"Andy Sweet [MSFT]" wrote:

Are you sure you are actually *rebooting* using the Windows Installation DVD
(i.e insert the dvd, shutdown/restart the PC, boot from DVD) rather than
just inserting the DVD and opening it from within Vista?


--
Andy Sweet
Windows User Assistance team
Microsoft Corporation

Hmm, not sure what to say--if it's an OEM machine, they are probably your
best bet for actual support.

Startup Repair help topic states: If you experience problems while trying to
run Startup Repair, or if your computer does not include Startup Repair,
your computer manufacturer might have customized or replaced the tool. Check
the information that came with your computer or go to the manufacturer's
website.

More info at
http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Win...f3f351033.mspx
and
http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Win...4be5e1033.mspx

Some other options: You might try exploring the root of your problem: the
intermittent boot/shutdown problems (Startup Repair wouldn't fix a shutdown
problem anyway). For example perhaps the problem is related to hardware or
software recently installed, or a driver that needs updating. Or try System
Restore, if you can trace the problem to a specific date that you have a
restore point for.

Best of luck,

--
Andy Sweet
Windows User Assistance team
Microsoft Corporation

Thanks.

Unfortunately my OEM will only say "re-install". If I find another solution
I will post it here.

"Andy Sweet [MSFT]" wrote:

Hmm, not sure what to say--if it's an OEM machine, they are probably your
best bet for actual support.

Startup Repair help topic states: If you experience problems while trying to
run Startup Repair, or if your computer does not include Startup Repair,
your computer manufacturer might have customized or replaced the tool. Check
the information that came with your computer or go to the manufacturer's
website.

More info at
http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Win...f3f351033.mspx
and
http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Win...4be5e1033.mspx

Some other options: You might try exploring the root of your problem: the
intermittent boot/shutdown problems (Startup Repair wouldn't fix a shutdown
problem anyway). For example perhaps the problem is related to hardware or
software recently installed, or a driver that needs updating. Or try System
Restore, if you can trace the problem to a specific date that you have a
restore point for.

Best of luck,

--
Andy Sweet
Windows User Assistance team
Microsoft Corporation

I know exactly what you are going through. I had the *exact *same
problem. Here is the solution:
Your problem is that the partition was not completely erased. This
happens when you just use the recovery discs without going into the HP
menu, which does a *complete *partition erase.
When you were told to reboot from the recovery disc, they didn't tell
you you had to go to the HP menu first, redo the partition, then do
system recovery. What you need to do is get the first recovery disc, put
it in the drive, hold down the power button until it shuts down. Then go
to the back of your PC tower and disconnect all the cables except your
keyboard and mouse (for obvious reasons, you will need them when you
restore your system), then reboot the computer. It will load normally up
to the first blue screen(where you go to do the system recovery), then
the screen will turn black and there will be a prompt in the upper left
corner. When that prompt moves down one, hit Control and Delete at the
same time. This will bring you to the HP menu. Do steps 1 ,2, and 3.
This will make the computer remove the original partition (A word of
caution, though. Make sure you back up your files, either before hand,
or when it comes up during these steps. You will need 1 DVD, formatted
and ready to go.). The process make take a couple of hours, depending on
the size of your computer. You will know its done when the computer
turns off and the disc drive is open. When that is finished, you may
continue to due the system restore from the discs. It takes anywhere
from 3 to 5 hours to finish.(Caution, *do not*, I repeat *do not* turn
off or touch your computer until it is finishedor this might mess up
your computer. Disregard any notices because the computer will reboot
several times during this process). When the computer is finished
restoring the system, you will have to reinstall any files that were on
the computer that were not originally there and update your windows and
your other computer files (I have a crappy HP computer, so I have to do
an HP update also along with my windows update). You will find that
after this is finished, you should be able to do a system recovery or
restore without any problem.
Questions? You can contact me and I'll try to help.



--
vinnya

Your problem is that your computer did not do a complete partition
erase. That is the reason you cannot access F11. It only works when the
system is completely and properly restored. You need to either download
or buy a program that does this (Acronis True Image Home 2009 PC Backup
and Recovery is a good program for this).But make sure that you back up
your files first. Do the partition first, and when it is done (This may
take several hours depending on the size of your computer), then you can
use the recovery discs to do a system restore. You see, most of these
recovery discs do a half-assed job of removing your partition. So you
have to do it manually. After you finish with the partition and the
system restore, you should be able to access F11 and do a system restore
or recovery without any problems. Follow the instructions on the
recovery discs and whatever you do, do not turn off or touch the
computer until it is finished. You will know because the system will be
off and the disc tray will be open. Don't forget also that you have to
do a windows update to reinstall all the fixes needed and also a system
update (I have HP, so I have to also do an HP update to get the fixes
for HP).


--
vinnya