Troubleshooting

1. Troubleshooting Windows

2. Failure to boot • Is it hardware (OS not found)? Hard drive failure • Is the system powered on? Is the power supply OK? • Is the system set to boot from the hard disk drive? • Make sure the POST completes and you get the beep

3. XP failure to boot • NTLDR, ntdetect.com and boot.ini are required to start the system • First, should attempt to repair • Second, attempt to restore from a backup • Third, rebuild the OS • Try not to install Recovery Console on your system – you will get a question at each boot

4. Recovery Console • Need to pick the Windows installation • Then administrator password (you do remember it?) • Now you have a command prompt at C:\ • Can copy to hard disk drive not from it • Fixmbr: To fix the Master Boot Record (No boot device error) • Bootcfg / rebuild – rebuilds boot.ini

5. Rebuild • This is the second option to repair Windows that XP offers • Often called a Repair Installation • I have had success with this and retained applications and data.

6. Recovery CD or Partition • HP, Dell and others do this • Use it to restore computer to the state it was in when it came out of the box • You loose all data and applications you added; you get all the bloat-ware with the system

7. Boot Failure – Vista/7 • Now have a “live DVD” as Windows Preinstallation Environment loads first (WinPE) • Has Repair Environment (WinRE) – fixes all but the most stuborn of errors • Can get there from Advanced Boot Options menu (F8)

8. Startup Repair • Repairs a corrupted Registry by accessing the backup copy • Restores critical system and driver files • Runs fixboot and fixmbr • Rolls back any non-working drivers • Uninstalls any incompatible service packs and patches • Runs chkdsk • Runs a memory test – different from Memory Diagnostic

9. More WinRE • Creates file: srttrail.txt with results of tests (long file) • Starts automatically if Windows detects a boot problem • No harm in running it …

10. System Restore • You have been making Restore Points, yes? • Allows you to “go back in time” to a previously working point • Can undo the go back procedure

11. System Image Recovery • That’s the Win7 name for it • Vista: Windows Complete PC Restore • You have made a full backup of your system lately, yes? • Restore will wipe out partitions on the drive and Restore will create them from backup

12. Memory Diagnostic • Tests system RAM • Over and over and over again – each time you restart system • Mike has not had any better luck • Use Memtest86+

13. Command Prompt • Only if Startup Repair doesn’t fix it • Bootrec repairs master boot record, boot sector or BCD store • Replaces fixboot and fixmbr • Bcdedit shows boot options • Windows Boot Manager • Windows Boot Loader • I had to use this to stop memory diagnostic

14. BSoD • Blue Screen of Death – still around • Sometimes it is helpful in problem solving; usually not • Restart system and cross your fingers • Can be connected to a new device added to system …

15. Registry Corruption – XP • Delete c:\windows\system32\config\system • And software, sam, security, default • Copy c:\windows\repair\system c:\windows\system32\config\system • This takes you back to first registry; try Last Known Good first

16. Registry – Vista/7 • C:\windows\system32\config\regback • RegIdleBackup backs up Registry every 10 days • Boot to Windows DVD, access Windows RE Command Prompt and run REG command; from there, copy files up one level similar to XP

17. Startup Options • Safe Mode – Microsoft drivers and bare-bones system; sometimes helps • Can work with Device Manager here • Msconfig has option to automatically boot to Safe Mode on Boot tab • Last Known Good – the last (registry and driver) settings that got to the desktop; this should work each time but often does not

19. Other Startup Options • Safe Mode with Networking • Safe Mode with Command Prompt • Enable Boot Logging – ntbtlog.txt (hidden in root) • Enable VGA mode • Directory Services Restore Mode (server only) • Debugging Mode • Disable Automatic Restart on System Failure • Disable Driver Signature Enforcement • Start Windows Normally

20. Event Viewer • Control Panel | Administrative Tools or right-click (My) Computer and choose Manage • Application: events specific to applications • Security: usually blank unless you set up audits • System: events specific to OS • By itself it is not often useful, will send you to Microsoft for slightly better explanation • System and Security | Administrative Tools for Vista and 7 • Try Device Manager first

22. Autoloading Programs • MSCONFIG to the rescue! There are about four places for autoloading programs; msconfig gathers them together • Clear the checkmarks about every six months • Wireless network cards need their autoload program(s)

24. Services • Control Panel | Administrative Tools | Services • Wireless network cards battle here over their own service (and startup program) and Wireless Zero Configuration (XP) • Start/Stop services here – Windows can override you here • In Task Manager, you can see processor resources – handy

25. System Files • .DLL files – Dynamic Link Library files • Idea is to do a job once, then come back to it when you need it again • Used to be a real hassle when files had common names – they would step on each other • System File Checker might fix errors

26. Action Center • Control Panel applet • Aggregates information from several sources • Provides links to tools

27. Performance Information and Tools

28. Applications • Windows looks for autorun.inf to find the installer program (setup.exe?) • Need Administrator privileges • Uninstall also needs admin rights • XP – Add or Remove Programs • 7 – Programs and Features

29. Compatibility

30. Volume Shadow Copy Service • VSS for short • Will make backup copies of files that are in use • XP started it, NTBACKUP uses it • Right-click file, Properties, Previous Versions or right-click file and choose Restore previous versions