Startup Repair

How to Run a Startup Repair in Windows 7​

   Information

Startup Repair is a system recovery tool that automates common diagnostic and repair tasks of unbootable Windows 7 installations. If the computer fails over into Windows RE because of a detected boot failure, Startup Repair launches automatically. If automatic failover to an on-disk Windows RE is not available, Startup Repair can also be launched as a manual recovery tool from a Windows RE CD/DVD.

This tutorial will show you how to run Startup Repair to allow it to scan your Windows 7 computer for a startup problem and try to fix it so your computer can start correctly.

Startup Repair is located on the System Recovery Options menu, which is on the Windows 7 installation disc. If your computer manufacturer (OEM) has preinstalled recovery options, Startup Repair might also be installed on your hard disk. If your computer does not include Startup Repair, your computer manufacturer (OEM) might have customized or replaced the tool. Check the information that came with your computer or go to the manufacturer's website.

   Note

Startup Repair Process

Startup Repair will try to repair computers that are unbootable because of the following reasons:

• Registry corruption
• Missing or damaged system and driver files
• Disk metadata corruption (MBR, partition table, and boot sector)
• File system metadata corruption
• Installation of problematic or incompatible drivers
• Installation of incompatible Windows service packs and patches
• Corrupt boot configuration data
• Bad memory and hard disk hardware (detection only)

Startup Repair will not repair unbootable systems caused by the following issues:

• Malfunctioning firmware and other hardware components
• Problems with clean Windows installations or Windows upgrades (for example, from Windows XP to Windows Vista)
• Windows logon errors
• Viruses and malicious software

After Startup Repair has run, a text log with diagnostic information and repair results is generated. The log file is located at: C:\Windows\System32\Logfiles\Srt\SrtTrail.txt


For more information, see: How Windows RE Works

   Warning

Startup Repair cannot fix hardware failures, such as a failing hard disk or incompatible memory, nor does it protect against virus attacks. Startup Repair is not designed to fix Windows installation problems. Startup Repair is not a backup tool, so it cannot help you recover personal files, such as photos or documents. To help protect your computer, back up your system and files regularly.

:note: For the updated Windows 10 tutorial, please see - Startup Repair - Run in Windows 10 - Windows 10 Tutorials

Here's How:
1. Boot to the System Recovery Options screen using your retail Windows 7 installation disk or system repair disc.

2. Select the Startup Repair option. (See screenshot below)
3. Startup Repair will now scan your computer to attempt to find and fix any startup problems. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: Startup Repair might prompt you to make choices as it tries to fix the problem, and if necessary, it might restart your computer as it makes repairs. If repairs are not successful, you'll see a summary of the problem and links to contact information for support. Your computer manufacturer might include additional assistance information.
4. If problems cannot be found, then click on Finish. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: You can click on the View diagnostic and repair details link to see a detailed summary of what Startup Repair has done.

A) Click on the Restart button to return to the Windows 7 log on screen. (See screenshot below step 2)

   Tip

Sometimes it may take running a startup repair (3) separate times with restarting the computer after each time before it fully fixes the startup issue.

That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

---

• How to Do a Repair Install to Fix Windows 7
• How to Boot to the Advanced Boot Options in Windows 7
• How to Boot to the System Recovery Options in Windows 7
• How to Create a Windows 7 System Repair Disc
• How to See Windows 7 Reliability and Problem History with Reliability Monitor
• How to Run Disk Check in Windows 7
• How to Do a System Restore in Windows 7
• How to Repair Windows 7 System Files with System File Checker
• How to Create a System Recovery Shortcut in Windows 7
• Startup Repair - Run 3 Separate Times to Repair Boot Issues
• How to Recover from an Infinitely Looping Startup Repair Loop without Reinstalling Windows
• Bootmgr is missing - Fix
• How to Use the Bootrec.exe Tool in Windows Recovery Environment

 

[Jonathan_King]

I am having trouble with my netbook (I'm writing this on my wii so excuse my spelling) it begins to start but then goes to a black screen w/ 2 options
1. run startup repair
2.start normally
if I start normally it just goes to a black screen w/ a mousepointer when I run the repair it tells me it cannot fix automatically w/ problem details (which I do not understand) and asks if I want to send info to Microsoft??? what should I do next? Thank you to all who help

Welcome!

I suggest a system restore to get to a point before the troubles began.

 

[broseph]

I tried a system restore and it failed because file \Windows\system32\halmacpi.dll is missing or corrupt and asked me to insert windows installation disc and reset the computer, I have neither the disc, or a disc drive as this is my netbook. Any suggestions?

 

[Brink]

Hello Broseph, and welcome to Seven Forums.

If you have a USB flash drive, then you could use OPTION TWO in the tutorial below to create a "System Repair Disc" on the USB flash drive to use to boot from and try doing a system restore at boot instead.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2083-system-repair-disc-create.html

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[HugoChavez]

Ii Grub is the problem

I have a XP, 7 UBUNTU triple OS that wouldnt boot after an update and the only command that restored access to the windows installations was this;

1. Boot from CD

2. Insert WIN/ restore disc

3. Choose command prompt

4. Write: bootsect /nt60 ALL /force /mbr

That seem to have wiped the corrupt GRUB and made the OS menu return.

Im no techie so you have to explain if this is a good or bad advice, but this helped me where the WIN7 repair disc auto repair didnt.

 

[jack140296]

Hello, I turned my laptop off by the power button and when i turned it back on it directed me to startup repair, my screen looks like piture 4, but my mouse does not show and my keyboard wont work, it says finish and all i have to do is press it but i cant, when i press the power button nothing happens please an you tell me what to do?
Thanks in advance

 

[Brink]

Hello Jack, and welcome to Seven Forums.

Press and hold the power button in until power shuts off for the computer, then release the power button. Afterwards, press the power button as usual to turn the computer back on. If you are prompted by the "Recovery from power loss" screen at boot, select to do a normal startup.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[bagavan]

But brink If the system reserved partition is deleted then it wont work rite??

 

[Brink]

But brink If the system reserved partition is deleted then it wont work rite??

If you have a retail Windows 7 installation disc, then you can boot off of it to do a Startup Repair instead.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/668-system-recovery-options.html

 

[keimanzero]

How do I launch startup repair in Windows 7?

I have no disc and Brink says that although startup repair is built in it won't activate w/o an error. So what good is it? If there's no error then why won't the sytem start and why won't Firefox 3.6.15 launch either?? Does anyone know an answer? Thanks I hope- Jack

 

[Brink]

Hello Jack,

You could use OPTION TWO in the tutorial below to create a system repair disc to boot with into the "System Recovery Options" screen, then select "System Repair".

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2083-system-repair-disc-create.html

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[goldhanter]

my problem solve...

tq very much...really helpfull...

 

[Brink]

You're most welcome Goldhanter, and welcome to Seven Forums.

 

[casiopea]

same problem

Dear guys, I´m new here. I had the same problem last night. PC got frozen, I restarted with the button, and appeared in the window with the options to either go to startup repair or to start windows normally. Either one I chose it gets to the same screen.

I tried the STARTUP REPAIR first,
the first time, it didn´t find any operating system, anyway it ran, but said the problems couldn´be fixed. So I restarted
second time, found the operating system, ran startup repair, checked for half an hour and appeared a sign saying "repairing disk errors, this might take over an hour to complete" and kept like that for eight hours, until I read in this thread that it shouldn´t take so long, so I restarted.
third time, found operating system, running now again startup repair, half an hour to get to the sign about the disk again, now I´m planning to wait no more than 1 hour to make the next step.

What I would like to know your advice about is
1. should I try how many times to do START UP REPAIR?
2. in case I should take a different solution, which is first, system recovery or repair install?

thanks for your advice, I use the pc to work and need to solve this asap.

thanks again

 

[severedsolo]

Hi casiopea,

should I try how many times to do START UP REPAIR?

Sometimes, depending on how bad it is, you may need to run Startup Repair up to 3 times, it should never take more than that though.

In case I should take a different solution, which is first, system recovery or repair install?

Unfortunately, a repair install (I believe) can only be done from within a booting copy of Windows, In which case your only option would be a Custom Install, or recover a system image. Brink or someone else may have a better solution for you, but I'm fairly certain that if Startup Repair is failing, there is probably something seriously wrong with your installation.

 

[Brink]

Hello Casiopea, and welcome to Seven Forums.

Did you make any changes or install anything before this happened?

You might see if doing a system restore at boot (if able) using a restore point dated before you had this issue may help.

If not, then Martin's post above is a good suggestion. If running startup repair up to 3 times cannot fix it, then it may be best to do a custom install if you have files you need to save, or a clean install if you do not.

 

[casiopea]

Hello Casiopea, and welcome to Seven Forums.

Did you make any changes or install anything before this happened?

thanks Brink, as many others here, I´ve done nothing special before the brakedown

You might see if doing a system restore at boot (if able) using a restore point dated before you had this issue may help.

If not, then Martin's post above is a good suggestion. If running startup repair up to 3 times cannot fix it, then it may be best to do a custom install if you have files you need to save, or a clean install if you do not.

I tried to do a SYSTEM RESTORE using the same cd I used for STARTUP REPAIR, but when I click on SYSTEM RESTORE, it stays there, thinks for a second, but don´t go anywhere.-edit- sorry, it just took a long time until a window appeared, saying THERE IS NO POINT CREATED TO RETURN TO. so, I will try one more time to do STARTUP REPAIR, and then...

I think I will try CUSTOM INSTALL then, so that I save some files I preffer to keep. the problem I see is that I will loose programs and drivers installed, that´s not nice

thanks a lot guys

 

[Brink]

You're most welcome Casiopea. Please let us know how it went.

 

[SIW2]

It's probably registry corruption.

 

[casiopea]

It's probably registry corruption.

Thanks SIW2, sorry but I ´m not an expert. In case it is how you say, which would be the better solution? many thanks

 

[SIW2]

This my own method for doing it - don't go making tutorials out of it please.

Boot your 7 recovery cd. Go to command prompt.

Type :

notepad

(then press enter )

when notepad pops up, click File >Save

Navigate to Windows\system32\config\regback

(It's a pain , but you will need to keep selecting "All Files" in notepad dropdown. )

Rt click and copy SOFTWARE (file with no extension )





then navigate to Windows\system32\config rt click and paste - overwrite the existing SOFTWARE .

Now go back to Windows\system32\config\regback , copy SYSTEM

then navigate to Windows\system32\config rt click and paste - overwrite the existing SYSTEM

repeat for DEFAULT, SAM and SECURITY .

Then try startup repair and reboot.

Can you follow that ?