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Windows 7: Startup Repair

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Startup Repair

How to Run a Startup Repair in Windows 7
Published by Brink
24 Nov 2008
Published by
Brink's Avatar

How to Run a Startup Repair in Windows 7

information   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   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   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.



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)
Startup Repair-repair.jpg
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.
Startup Repair-startup_repair-1.jpg
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.
Startup Repair-startup_repair-2.jpg

A) Click on the Restart button to return to the Windows 7 log on screen. (See screenshot below step 2)
Tip   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
01 Jun 2009   #1
ANormalUsername1

Windows Vista Home Edition x64
3 posts
 
 
I am having this issue, but it keeps saying that it cannot recover itself.


My System SpecsSystem Spec
01 Jun 2009   #2
Brink

64-bit Windows 10 Pro
69,678 posts
 
 
Hello, and welcome to Seven Forums.

Depending on what issue you are having, you should be able to do a repair install to fix this also.

Hope this helps,
Shawn
My System SpecsSystem Spec
01 Jun 2009   #3
Night Hawk

W7 Ultimate x64/W10 Pro x64 dual boot main build-remote pc W10 Pro x64 Insider Preview/W7 Pro x64
8,557 posts
 
 
One thing I tried out here on both RCs lately is using the upgrade option while booted in each to perform a repair install. Each went well from the start. So you know the guide there does work.
My System SpecsSystem Spec
.

01 Jun 2009   #4
ANormalUsername1

Windows Vista Home Edition x64
3 posts
 
 
I cannot do so, as I cannot log in to my account.
My System SpecsSystem Spec
01 Jun 2009   #5
Brink

64-bit Windows 10 Pro
69,678 posts
 
 
You can boot from your Windows 7 installation disc to perform a repair install instead without losing anything. :)
My System SpecsSystem Spec
01 Jun 2009   #6
Night Hawk

W7 Ultimate x64/W10 Pro x64 dual boot main build-remote pc W10 Pro x64 Insider Preview/W7 Pro x64
8,557 posts
 
 
That would remove Windows out of the equation entirely when booting from the 7 dvd. You can still use the same user name for the new administrator account created through the upgrade process.
My System SpecsSystem Spec
02 Jun 2009   #7
ANormalUsername1

Windows Vista Home Edition x64
3 posts
 
 
Hmm... I'll check for the disk.
My System SpecsSystem Spec
18 Jun 2009   #8
svyatko

windows 7
1 posts
 
 
startup recovery tool from cmd
guys,

can anyone give me some clues how to recover an installation using Startup Recovery tool from command line?

my issue is, i have windows 7 installation disk on USB, and there is no option to repair the installation. Dont ask how did this happen i just dont have it.

i have an image i am reapplying to the partition, but the system just wont start. black screen and nothing happens.
clean installation results in a black screen on the first reboot as well.

i had windows 7 installed on this disk before, but it just failed to start one beautiful day. i do also suspect the disk, but the fact that files are copied successfuly makes me wonder...
anyone found how to call the tool from a PE boot???

thanks
My System SpecsSystem Spec
18 Jun 2009   #9
Night Hawk

W7 Ultimate x64/W10 Pro x64 dual boot main build-remote pc W10 Pro x64 Insider Preview/W7 Pro x64
8,557 posts
 
 
Welcome to the Se7enforums! svyatko

Were you installing from the external or to it? Installations on external drives are advised against since they are simply too fragile. One boot runs the next won't when the configuration is off.

To avoid that hassle I simply yanked the drives out of external enclosures and see them installed internally solving a list of problems. There you would have to rebuild the BCD store every other time. Plus booting from the dvd won't be much help for any repairs on an external usb drive to start with.

"Boot Configuration Data Editor Frequently Asked Questions" Boot Configuration Data Editor Frequently Asked Questions

I don't think the
Step Four: Nuclear Holocaust approach will work for you there not because the information on that was originally written for Vista but where the installation is to start with. Recovering the Vista Bootloader from the DVD - NeoSmart Technologies Wiki

7 and Server 2008 also use the same type of BCD store as seen with Vista.
My System SpecsSystem Spec
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