Windows 7 Error Recovery and Advanced Boot Options
If Windows 7 is unable to start normally, Windows will display the Windows Error Recovery dialog. On a system that does not have Startup Repair files installed, the Windows Error Recovery dialog looks like the one in Figure 8.16. You can use a Windows installation disc or a Windows repair disc to repair your computer.
Figure 8.16 Windows 7 displays this type of message if Startup Repair files are not available on a system that can’t start.
TIP
To learn how to create a Windows 7 repair disc, see “Preparing a Windows-Based Computer or Tablet for Easier Troubleshooting,” Chapter 1, p.37.
On a system that has Startup Repair files installed, the Windows Error Recovery dialog provides the options shown in Figure 8.17 when your system can’t start.
Figure 8.17 Windows 7 displays this type of message if Startup Repair files are available on a system that can’t start.
On a system that didn’t shut down properly the last time it was used (for example, if you used the power button because the system locked up), Windows Error Recovery offers Safe Mode options, Last Known Good Configuration (advanced), or Start Windows Normally.
If you suspect that Windows is not working as well as it could, but Windows 7 does not launch Windows Error Recovery, you can still choose from these and other options by pressing F8 repeatedly on startup until the Advanced Boot Options menu shown in Figure 8.18 appears.
Figure 8.18 Windows 7’s Advanced Boot Options menu.
Using Windows 7 Repair Tools
Windows 7’s repair tools can be accessed in a variety of ways. Table 8.3 provides a quick reference to these tools and how to access them.
Table 8.3 System Repair Tools for Windows 7
Repair Tool
|
How Used
|
How to Use
|
Automatic System Repair (Startup Repair)
|
Repairs system and startup files
|
Runs automatically as needed or can be launched from Recovery Environment (repair disc)
|
System Restore
|
Resets Windows hardware and software settings back to a specified date
|
Recovery Environment
|
Command Prompt
|
Uses commands to copy or delete files, changes Windows settings, and other command-line functions
|
Recovery Environment
|
Safe Mode
|
Loads essential Windows drivers and services only
|
Advanced Boot Options or Windows Error Recovery
|
Safe Mode with Networking
|
Loads essential drivers and Windows services plus basic network services only
|
Advanced Boot Options
|
Safe Mode with Command Prompt
|
Loads essential drivers and Windows services but boots to command prompt
|
Advanced Boot Options
|
Last Known Good Configuration
|
Loads Windows with the last known good configuration
|
Advanced Boot Options
|
Enable Boot Logging
|
Creates text log of all startup processes
|
Advanced Boot Options
|
Enable Low-Resolution Video
|
Starts Windows with basic VGA driver
|
Advanced Boot Options
|
Disable Automatic Restart After Failure
|
Keeps STOP (blue screen) error on-screen until you restart system manually
|
Advanced Boot Options
|
System Image Recovery
|
Restores a system image backup to the system drive (or an empty hard disk)
|
Recovery Environment
|
Windows Memory Diagnostic
|
Tests RAM memory modules for errors
|
Recovery Environment
|
Using Automatic Startup Repair
If Windows is unable to start because of damaged or missing system files, you should run Automatic Startup Repair. Automatic Startup Repair scans your system drive for problems and attempts to repair them.
If Startup Repair is successful, you have the option of seeing a report dialog (see Figure 8.19). A typical report dialog is shown in Figure 8.20.
Figure 8.19 Click the link to see the repairs performed on this system.
Figure 8.20 Scroll down through the report to see the tests performed and their results.
If repairs were not successful, you can choose from other repair tools (see Figure 8.21).
Figure 8.21 System Recovery Options in Windows 7’s Windows Recovery Environment.
NOTE
You can also launch the System Recovery Options (also known as Windows Recovery Environment) dialog shown in Figure 8.21 by starting your system with the Windows 7 installation disc or a Windows 7 repair disc.
Using System Restore
During Startup Repair, you might be prompted to use System Restore. If your system has stopped working after a recent hardware upgrade, driver update, or app (software) installation, use System Restore to restore your system configuration to what it was at a date before the change.
Periodically, Windows creates restore points, which save the state of Windows in case of future problems. When you run System Restore, choose a restore point that is just before the event that is causing problems for your system (see Figure 8.22).
Figure 8.22 Selecting a date with System Restore.
NOTE
You can also run System Restore from the Windows 7 Recovery Environment or from the Windows 8.x Advanced Options menu.
To see which programs or drivers will be affected, click the Scan for Affected Programs link. Programs and drivers that will be removed are listed on top, followed by programs and drivers that will be restored (see Figure 8.23).
CAUTION
Programs and drivers that will be restored might not work properly. Plan to reinstall any programs or drivers listed.
Figure 8.23 When System Restore runs on this computer, two programs will be deleted, and one will be restored.
After you confirm the restore point to restore, Windows restores the settings as they were and restarts your computer.
Using Last Known Good Configuration
This Windows 7 feature enables you to restart the computer if it won’t start, but it started correctly the previous time. The settings used are the ones stored with the last successful boot.
Using Safe Mode Options
If Windows starts, but has problems shutting down or has video problems, it might be because of a malfunctioning video card or other driver or a malfunctioning startup program or service. To determine whether a driver is the problem, select Safe Mode. Safe Mode starts up the computer with a limited set of drivers and services. Selecting Safe Mode with Networking adds support for basic network and Internet services (use this option so you can research problems online and download replacement drivers). Choose Safe Mode with Command Prompt to boot Windows to the command prompt with limited drivers and services.
In Safe Mode, you can open Device Manager and disable or update device drivers (if you use Safe Mode with Networking, you can get updates from the Internet). You can also run MSConfig to selectively disable startup programs and services before you reboot, use Event Viewer to see problems with your computer, and use the Registry Editor to make manual changes to how Windows runs.
NOTE
For a list of the drivers and services launched in Safe Mode and Safe Mode with Networking, go to http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/which-drivers-loaded-safe-mode. Select Windows 7 or Windows Vista from the pull-down menu to see the applicable list.
Using MSConfig
Some Windows and most third-party programs and services will not run in Safe Mode. Thus, if your computer works properly in Safe Mode, you need to determine which program or service is causing the problem. To do this, start your computer in Safe Mode and run MSConfig to disable all startup programs and services:
- Start MSConfig (use Search to locate it on your system).
- Click the Selective Startup button on the General tab.
- Clear the Load Startup Items check box (see Figure 8.24).Figure 8.24 Disabling the Load Startup Items option with Microsoft System Configuration (MSConfig).
- Click the Services tab.
- Click the empty Hide all Microsoft Services check box.
- Click Disable All (see Figure 8.25).Figure 8.25 The Services tab after hiding Microsoft services and disabling third-party services.
- Click Apply.
- Click OK.
- Restart your system.
What’s next? If your system starts normally, either a startup item or a non-Microsoft service is causing problems. To find out, enable one non-Microsoft service at a time until the system won’t start normally. Uninstall the app or program that uses the service.
If you are able to enable all non-Microsoft services and your system boots normally, restart MSConfig and select Normal Startup on the General tab. Click the Startup tab and disable startup items you’re not sure you need or that you don’t recognize. Restart your system. If it starts normally, one of the items you disabled is your problem.
Enable Low-Resolution Video
Use this startup option if you suspect that problems with your video card’s driver is causing system crashes, such as during 3D gaming. Your system will run normally, except for using a low screen resolution. You can adjust the resolution after the system starts, and you can adjust or replace your video card’s driver files before restarting.
Disable Automatic Restart on System Failure
Use this option to start your computer if a STOP (blue screen) error occurs during or after startup and the system reboots too quickly to see the full message. If a STOP error happens after you use this option, Windows will leave the error message onscreen until you restart your computer.
System Image Recovery
You can create a system image backup with the Backup and Restore utility in Windows 7. A system image is a backup of the system drive (typically C: drive) that includes Windows and system files.
If you have replaced a hard disk or have a badly corrupted system that can’t be fixed, you can restore a system image with this utility.
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