Solved Need help to fix my startup settings

[Viper30]

I changed msconfig startup settings now windows will not start.Can I rectify this from the system recovery command prompt?

 

[piattj]

Tried restarting in safe mode? If you can, then re-enable disabled services / reset settings etc & reboot

 

[Viper30]

When I reboot the "Windows error Recovery" screen appears and then it shows "Startup repair" screen. I can't get into safe mode.

 

[piattj]

Can you not jump in by hitting <F8> during the bootup before the repair screen appears?

 

[oxymoron02]

It's unlikely that this would happen after changing only the startup items within msconfig; it is far more likely that you changed something in the Services tab and disabled an integral, critical component of the Windows platform.

When you get this up and running again, use Windows 7 Services - Windows 7 - All Editions - The Elder Geek on Windows to assess which services will be safe for you to disable.

 

[Viper30]

piatti, when i hit F8 it gives me the drives I can boot from. I have tried that a few times with the sames result.

 

[piattj]

Is this the screen you get? If you can't <f8> to start in safe mode to try resetting what you changed, then you could
1. try the startup repair, or
2. Restore to a point before you messed up the config, or
3. open up a command prompt & try sfc /scannow to see if any system files are screwed & if they can be fixed.

 

[Viper30]

paitti, yes I get this screen and I have tried your suggestion. The result of the scan was "There is a system repair pending which requires reboot to complete. Restart windows and run sfc again." I did this and the result is still as before. the recovery options screen comes back.

 

[proudtobegreek]

Did you follow all of paittj's three suggestions ?Or only the scannnow option?

 

[piattj]

try all options ... if you really can't start windows you've not much to lose...

Also sometimes sfc /scannow needs to be run several times til it (perhaps) runs clean

I'm intrigued as to why <F8> doesn't get you to a boot mode screen

What is your set up?

 

[piattj]

It's worth trying to get to safe mode...

Apparently on some computers, F8 brings up the "Select boot device" menu that you described above and, if that happens, you need to hit Esc then keep hitting <F8> rapidly until the Advanced Boot Options screen appears with safe boot option.

If you can boot safe mode you should be able to put right your msconfig changes then reboot

Try that

 

[gregrocker]

What you want right now is System restore run from the System Recovery options list shown above. Boot into it now and Restore back to before you messed with your settings.

There are no msconfig>startup items whose disabling will cause Win7 to fail to boot. Did you also mess with the Services tab? Did you hide all MS Services first if so?

If you have no restore point then you rescue your files using Copy & Paste - in Windows Recovery Console

Then run Factory Recovery or do a Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 following the Best Practices in the blue link tutorial to get and maintain a perfect install.

 

[Viper30]

Thank you all for your help. I have decided to do a clean install on a new drive, create a restore point after driver and system updates, then retrieve my data and reinstall the programs I require as it is time to tidy up and get rid of programs that I have not used for a long time.

 

[gregrocker]

Follow these same steps to Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 which give the Best Practices for installing, setting up and maintaining a perfect install - including how to maintain a Clean Boot.