Start up options

There are a variety of start up options available that may help repair the computer (or at least diagnose it).  Windows 8, 10 do not have the start options shown under Windows 7 (discussed shortly), so you may have to boot using an operating system disk (nice going Microsoft).  Check with the manufacturer too, there may be other boot options.

Windows 8, 10

If your computer stops the boot process at the sign in point, you may have a chance to restart to do some diagnostics/troubleshooting.  To do this, hold the shift key down, click the power button (lower right), while still holding shift, click restart and continue holding until reboot (when the screen goes black).

It should then restart in the diagnostics/repair options where you should see at least these choices:

• Continue normal booting
• Troubleshooting:
  • Reset this PC - This wipes the computer clean but may have a save your files option.
  • Advanced options:
    • System restore - If a restore point exists, you may be able to bring the computer back to a working date.  See our Restore article.
    • System image recovery - requires an image disk (or USB drive) you created at some point, but likely you have not.
    • Startup repair which reboots then attempts to repair a startup problem.
    • Command prompt
    • Startup settings
      • Offering a variety of options (listed below) including Safe mode
      • And (maybe) go back to the previous build.
• Turn off

But we've seen Windows 10 stuck in a startup loop repairing things that never completes and because we could not even get to a point to reboot in the troubleshooting mode, there was no other alternative than doing a factory restore.

Windows 7

Windows 7 has an easy option called Repair but you need to get to that menu first.  Get the boot menu:

• Shut off /power down the computer.
• Start it and just after seeing the initial BIOS screen, perhaps a single beep and/or when the Numlock light on your keyboard lights up, start taping the Function F8 key.  Continue taping that until you get a menu in a black screen.  

Note: The mouse does not work instead use the cursor control (arrow) keys on the keyboard.  The startup menu will include the below list and maybe other things.

• After selecting repair, the computer begins what looks like during a normal boot but stops part way and prompts you for some information.
  • Keyboard layout, just press enter (or click next).
  • The administrative username and password followed by pressing enter (or clicking next).
  • You are then presented with a variety of things to do:
    • Startup repair - automated repair which rarely works in our opinion but won't hurt to try.
    • System Restore - allows to to "go back" to a certain date.  Be sure to look at the Show more restore points option (lower left).  See our Restore article.
    • Windows Memory Diagnostics - when you are having odd issues with the computer that nothing else explains, e.g., blue screens - try that.
    • Command Prompt (see below).
    • Manufacturer Factory Restore.  See our Restore article.
    • Maybe other item(s)

In the command prompt in (repair mode) you can do a lot of different things but a couple things that may resolve problems are listed below.  But first for giggles Log to the root drive, typically C: but may be another drive letter. 

• To do this simply type c: then press enter. 
• Verify you are on the root by typing dir followed by enter.
  • Look for the Windows folder (directory).  That will look something like this
• If it does not show up, try logging to the d: drive then run dir again.
• If you still do not see the Windows folder, you may have a serious problem.

Commands (more someday)

• You can check the drive for errors by typing chkdsk /r followed by enter and followed by Y and enter (to afirm the unmount question).
• You can repair the boot record by typing bootrec /fixmbr followed by enter.

Safe mode

In the safe mode the video drivers are not load so your Desktop colors will appear terrible.  Don't worry, this occurs in the safe mode and will return to normal upon reboot (Start > Shut Down > Restart).

Now that you're in the safe mode, you can do whatever diagnostics are needed, e.g., run scandisk, defrag, disable start up programs, etc.  When you are done doing whatever simply reboot.

Safe mode with networking

Like above but you will be able to use the network hardware, i.e., get to the Internet.

Safe mode with command prompt

Places the computer immediately in a command prompt where you can run various DOS commands.  You can also type explorer followed by enter to start the Windows interface in the safe mode.

Enable Boot Logging

we have never used it

Enable low-resolution video

we have never used it

Last Known Good Configuration

This has never worked for us

Directory Services Restore Mode

we have never used it

Debugging Mode

we have never used it

Disable automatic restart on system failure

Very handy with blue screen errors that make the computer reboot too fast to read the error message.

Disable Driver Signature Enforcement

we have never used it

Start Windows Normally

as stated