 Writers and tech support experts often describe a CPU as the computer’s brain and the OS (operating system), such as Windows Vista, as its soul. Though the analogy is a good one, it’s not terribly comforting if you power on your computer and see a Windows Failed To Start error message informing you that “soul” is AWOL. Beyond preventing Vista from booting, this error message further annoys with the often cryptic, unhelpful details that accompany it.
The most common variation of the Windows Failed To Start error message you’ll likely encounter reads something like:
Windows Failed To Start. A Recent Hardware Or Software Change Might Be The Cause Those cryptic, seemingly unhelpful details may be similar to:
File: \Windows\system32\config\system
Status: as 0xc00000e9
Info: Windows Failed To Load Because A Required File Is Missing Or Corrupt In some cases, this error message also offers instructions to remedy the problem, including booting to Windows from a Vista installation disc and accessing the Repair Your Computer option, which includes several System Recovery Options tools you can use to attempt to repair the files Windows uses to boot. These tools include Startup Repair, System Restore, Windows Complete PC Restore, and Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool. In the case where Windows won’t start at all, Microsoft’s Windows Help And How-To (windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/default.mspx) pages suggest using Startup Repair, which we’ll cover here.
If you bought your computer with Vista preinstalled and don’t have an installation disc, the instructions in the Windows Failed To Start error message suggests you Contact Your System Administrator Or Computer Manufacturer For Assistance. Not exactly a lot to go on, huh? Before you panic, though, the computer’s manufacturer may have installed repair or recovery tools on the system’s hard drive. Additionally, the manufacturer should have provided you a restoration disc at purchase that may contain recovery tools. Unfortunately, many system restoration discs will only restore a system to its default settings, which will overwrite your data. If you haven’t backed up your data, it may be worth contacting the manufacturer to request a Vista installation disc before performing a restoration.
 Startup Repair Explained
Microsoft describes Startup Repair as a recovery tool that can fix such problems as missing or damaged system files that prevent Windows from properly starting. Specifically, Startup Repair scans a system seeking conflicts it attempts to resolve to allow the system to boot properly. As mentioned, Startup Repair resides within System Recovery Options on Vista installation discs. Again, if you don’t have an installation disc, check if the manufacturer preinstalled the tool or similar recovery tools on the hard drive or on the restoration disc.
What Startup Repair won’t fix, Microsoft says, are problems relating to incompatible memory and hardware failures, such as a failing hard drive or memory modules incompatible with Windows. Additionally, the tool isn’t designed to repair problems relating to Windows installations; protect your system against Internet security threats, such as viruses or malware; or back up your personal files, such as video, photo, or music files.
Microsoft provides steps for running Startup Repair if you have an installation disc or if you don’t at windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/default.mspx. On the site, type Startup Repair in the search field, press ENTER, and in the search results, click the Startup Repair: Frequently Asked Questions link, which contains a How Do I Use Startup Repair option.
Start The Repairs
To run Startup Repair, insert your Vista installation disc in your DVD drive, restart your computer, and boot to Windows from the disc. This may require changing the boot priority order in the computer’s BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) settings. The process for entering the BIOS varies per manufacturer, but typically you’ll press DELETE, F2, or another key before the Windows logo appears. | 
If you encounter a Windows Failed To Start error message, you can access the System Restore Tool from your Vista installation disc to attempt to roll the system back to a time when it was working properly. |
Once you’ve booted to Windows, you’ll be asked to select your language. Next, click Repair Your Computer. On the next screen, you’ll be asked which OS you want to repair. On the resulting screen, click Startup Repair from the list of options. Startup Repair will analyze your system, fix any problems it can, and reboot one or more times. You may need to run Startup Repair several times. It’s possible there are multiple problems Startup Repair can’t address collectively.
If you don’t have a Vista installation disc but the manufacturer preinstalled Startup Repair, you’ll need to restart the system with all CDs, DVDs, and floppy diskettes removed from their respective drives. As the system restarts, press and hold F8 before the Windows logo displays. In the Advanced Boot Options screen, use the keyboard’s arrow keys to navigate to the Repair Your Computer option and press ENTER. If the Repair Your Computer option isn’t listed, you know the computer manufacturer didn’t preinstall it. If it is installed, you’ll be asked to select a keyboard layout and click Next. Select your username and enter the appropriate password on the next screen, click OK, and click Startup Repair on the System Recovery Options menu.
If Startup Repair can’t fix your system’s problem, it should present a summary of the problems, as well as links to contact information for additional support.
Other Alternatives
Another annoyance you may face with this error message is Vista continually restarting due to a default setting in the OS that restarts Vista as it encounters fatal errors. This will prevent you from jotting down details of the error message that could help decipher and resolve the problem. To disable the setting when Windows is running normally, click Start, click Control Panel, and double-click System (in Classic View). Next, click Advanced System Settings and in the Startup And Recovery section, click Settings, uncheck the Automatically Restart option, and click OK. If Windows isn’t running normally, you may need to enter Safe Mode first before disabling the setting. To do so, restart the system and press F8 before the Windows logo appears.
Ultimately, if Startup Repair can’t resolve your system’s problem, a repair or clean reinstallation of Vista may be necessary. A repair installation may or may not alter your data and programs, while a clean installation will delete your data permanently. Thus, Microsoft advises to rule out for certain that a recent hardware, software, or driver installation isn’t the cause of your problems. With a Vista installation disc, you can run the Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool to check for memory incompatibilities, as well as attempt a System Restore point. System Restore will turn the system back to a time when it was running properly based on restore points Vista creates automatically upon changes to the system. System Restore won’t alter you personal files, however, including Office documents and email. 
by Blaine Flamig
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