[laura91]

I recently just rebooted windows vista using techguys recovery disk, now everytime it starts up i get the message saying " windows failed to start. a recent hardware or software change might be the cause. if windows files have been damaged or configured incorrectly, startup repair can help diagnose and fix the problem. if the power was interupted during startup, choose start windows normally"

i've tried to start it normally and launch startup repair but i just get the same old message? everything was fine before i rebooted it, it was just running really slowly so i don't understand whats happening with it ?

so any idea to fix it would be great. thanks

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Run hard drive diagnostics: http://www.tacktech....ay.cfm?ttid=287
Make sure, you select tool, which is appropriate for the brand of your hard drive.
Depending on the program, it'll create bootable floppy, or bootable CD.
If downloaded file is of .iso type, use ImgBurn: http://www.imgburn.com/ to burn .iso file to a CD (select "Write image file to disc" option), and make the CD bootable.

NOTE. If your hard drive is made by Toshiba, unfortunately, you're out of luck, because Toshiba doesn't provide any diagnostic tool.

=================================================================================================================

A. If you have more than one RAM module installed, try starting computer with one RAM stick at a time.

NOTE Keep in mind, the manual check listed above is always superior to the software check, listed below. DO NOT proceed with memtest, if you can go with option A

B. If you have only one RAM stick installed...
...run memtest...

1. Download - Pre-Compiled Bootable ISO (.zip)
2. Unzip downloaded memtest86+-2.11.iso.zip file.
3. Inside, you'll find memtest86+-2.11.iso file.
4. Download, and install ImgBurn: http://www.imgburn.com/
5. Insert blank CD into your CD drive.
6. Open ImgBurn, and click on Write image file to disc
7. Click on Browse for a file... icon:



8. Locate memtest86+-2.11.iso file, and click Open button.
9. Click on ImgBurn green arrow to start burning bootable memtest86 CD:



10. Once the CD is created, boot from it, and memtest will automatically start to run.

The running program will look something like this depending on the size and number of ram modules installed:




It's recommended to run 5-6 passes. Each pass contains very same 8 tests.

This will show the progress of the test. It can take a while. Be patient, or leave it running overnight.



The following image is the test results area:



The most important item here is the “errors” line. If you see ANY errors, even one, most likely, you have bad RAM.

[Broni]

Run hard drive diagnostics: http://www.tacktech....ay.cfm?ttid=287
Make sure, you select tool, which is appropriate for the brand of your hard drive.
Depending on the program, it'll create bootable floppy, or bootable CD.
If downloaded file is of .iso type, use ImgBurn: http://www.imgburn.com/ to burn .iso file to a CD (select "Write image file to disc" option), and make the CD bootable.

NOTE. If your hard drive is made by Toshiba, unfortunately, you're out of luck, because Toshiba doesn't provide any diagnostic tool.

=================================================================================================================

A. If you have more than one RAM module installed, try starting computer with one RAM stick at a time.

NOTE Keep in mind, the manual check listed above is always superior to the software check, listed below. DO NOT proceed with memtest, if you can go with option A

B. If you have only one RAM stick installed...
...run memtest...

1. Download - Pre-Compiled Bootable ISO (.zip)
2. Unzip downloaded memtest86+-2.11.iso.zip file.
3. Inside, you'll find memtest86+-2.11.iso file.
4. Download, and install ImgBurn: http://www.imgburn.com/
5. Insert blank CD into your CD drive.
6. Open ImgBurn, and click on Write image file to disc
7. Click on Browse for a file... icon:



8. Locate memtest86+-2.11.iso file, and click Open button.
9. Click on ImgBurn green arrow to start burning bootable memtest86 CD:



10. Once the CD is created, boot from it, and memtest will automatically start to run.

The running program will look something like this depending on the size and number of ram modules installed:




It's recommended to run 5-6 passes. Each pass contains very same 8 tests.

This will show the progress of the test. It can take a while. Be patient, or leave it running overnight.



The following image is the test results area:



The most important item here is the “errors” line. If you see ANY errors, even one, most likely, you have bad RAM.

[laura91]

i have packard bell laptop which doesnt seem to be listed?

[Broni]

You need to open hard drive bay and see what brand of hard drive you have.

[laura91]

sorry, where do i find that?

[Broni]

You have to turn the laptop up side down.
On the back, you'll find couple of bays/doors, held by one, or two screws.
One would be for RAM, another one for hard drive.

You may want to look in your laptop manual for more detailed instruction.

[laura91]

just doing option b will get back to you soon as it is done. thanks

[laura91]

i ran memtest and got 8 passes and no errors. thanks

Edited by laura91, 13 November 2009 - 03:38 PM.

[Broni]

I still want you to manually test the RAM (option A).

[laura91]

im not sure how i do that as i'm basic on computers. and i no longer have my manual

[Broni]

What's your laptop brand and model?

[laura91]

its a packard bell easynote ajax c3. thanks

[Broni]

First of all, I need to know, we're on a same page here.
How old is this laptop?
According to PB page: http://support.packa...;ppn=P910R00201 your laptop RAM is configured like this:
Base memory

* 256MB on-board (soldered) memory
* 1 SO-DIMM Slot
*
o Size: 256/512 MB modules
o Max. supported: 768 MB
o Type: PC266 (PC2100 / DDR-266) DDR SDRAM 200-pin SO-DIMM

So, I don't know, how you're able to run Vista on it.

To access RAM: http://support.packa...;ppn=P910R00201

Are you sure, you gave me correct model onfo?

[laura91]

its the EasyNote MX37 series. sorry

[Broni]

I don't know, why Packard Bell's manual picture is so horrible, but you'll have an idea about the location of RAM bay: