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

 

[casiopea]

yes.

If startup repair doesn't work , scroll down thru the list it gives all the way and see what it tells you.

Thanks, it is running now, it scanned for about 13 minutes and then appeared the sign saying
"repairing disk errors, it might take over an hour"
My question was because the other tries I did, the process took way over an hour (8 to be exact) and kept doing the same, processing, so the only thing I can do is restart the computer, so then, I dont get any listing as result.

I´ll wait and hope this time the startup repair works normally, but if it keeps rolling and rolling endless, I guess I will have to shut down, and go for the custom or clean install,
that´s why I was asking if the choice in that case would be that disk

many thanks

 

[Brink]

Hopefully the other bad installation disk was all that was wrong, and it will work this time for you.

 

[casiopea]

Hopefully the other bad installation disk was all that was wrong, and it will work this time for you.

Hi guys, nothing worked, I´ll follow this on the Clean Install thread, as the story goes in that direction

 

[Brink]

I hope that will go smoother for you.

 

[Chephren]

i really need your help

My problem is, the start up repair option doesn't start. I have no win 7 disk and no matter what I do, I can't get the screen to go beyond compressed bootmgr. Believe me I have tried everything known to man other than taking it into the geek squad. I cannot get in......I have an HP touchsmart system

 

[Brink]

Hello Chephren, and welcome to Seven Forums.

If you have a friend that you can borrow a Windows 7 installation disk from, or create a system repair disc on another computer to use on yours, you could try the tutorial below to fix the compressed bootmgr with it.

BootMGR Compressed Message at Boot Fix - Vista Forums

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[BlueBird]

If I do a start up repair will it replace the startup with old files.

What I mean is my disc is Windows 7 with no SP and my computer is SP1.

So all the updated files start up files will be replaced with old files?

 

[Brink]

Hello BlueBird, and welcome to Seven Forums.

No. A startup repair only attempts to fix the partition code, bootmgr, bcdBCD, MBR (Master Boot Record) if needed. This is what affects the bootloader to be able to boot Windows. This is not for the startup programs.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[bergessio]

Hey.
First, sorry for my poor english.

Two weeks ago, my laptop couldnt start Windows 7 normally, so I created a Win 7 Repair Disk, used the "startup repair" option and it worked great. I could use my computer normally.

Yesterday, again I had problems starting Windows 7 (didnt start) and used the Repair Disk thinking that it will help me out again. This time I had no luck.

My startup repair is running (8 hours and counting) and still I have the blue block coming and going with the "trying to fix problems" below.

Should I turn it off? Meaning, is it a given that it wont solve any problem since it has been 8 hours since I started the startup repair?

Thanks!

 

[SIW2]

It is not working if it has been running that long.

Try system restore to a point before you had the problem.

 

[bergessio]

It is not working if it has been running that long.

Try system restore to a point before you had the problem.

Already tried and says there are no restore points available. So option 1 and 2 dont seem to work

 

[Game Rockerr]

Startup Problem

I'm facing same problem.I have window setup in my local disk (E). Plzzz tell me how can i get it from there.n my local disk (E). Plzzz tell me how can i get it from there.

 

[Brink]

Hello Game Rockerr, and welcome to Seven Forums.

Could you be more specific on what issue you are having?

If you click on the "System Recovery Options" link in step 1, it will help show you how to boot to it to then be able to select and do a Startup Repair.

 

[iggy1974]

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/104341-bootmgr-missing-fix.html

insert your OS CD
go to DOS window and type in your OS drive (usualy C:\)
type in bootrec /FixMbr
then type in bootrec /fixboot
then type in bootrec /rebuildbcd
then type in exit
restart your computer
it will work 100% only if you prompt at the same order
good luck

 

[callmemorpheus]

Dove and Branch screen, nothing else

I have a Dell Latitude E6400. It crashed one day and I haven't been able to get back despite racking my head with the multitude of possible fixes.

Using the Windows system repair disk, I can get through that option on the boot menu, but when it gets to the loading screen of the dove and branch, there are no windows from which to select language or start system repair. It just sits there.

Using the diagnostics, I've gotten error 2000-0142
http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/kcs/document?c=us&l=en&s=dhs&docid=266787#HDD
which is a HDD error. (I fear it is hardware related and I'm merely here covering my bases).

Additionally, I've used a couple different Linux usb keys and couldn't mount the drive.

Advice, sympathy, hard truth, let me hear it, thanks for your help.

 

[cyclic]

The hard truth is that code means hard drive failure, which is irrevocable. So you need a new hard drive.

 

[Mediokrates]

I encountered this error after doing a factory recovery using the discs I made when I took the computer out of the box.

The recovery seems to go well, and does initial setup... restarting a few times. But once I initiate a restart, windows fails to boot, instead giving me the boot manager page.

like most people, I don't have a windows' disc... just my recover cds since windows came pre-loaded on the computer.

 

[Capt.Jack Sparrow]

Not sure if it's posted here. The Startup Repair log can be found

%WINDIR%\System32\LogFiles\Srt\SrtTrail.txt.

in case you forgot to check in Recovery screen.

This article will explain how to interpret them How Windows RE Works

 

[RichPasco]

Startup Repair says "This might take several minutes... Attemting Repairs... [Cancel]" but in my computer it has been running for several HOURS. If I click "Cancel" it says, "The current repair operation cannot be cancelled." Now what do I do?

 

[SIW2]

Shut down the machine.