PC with Vista does not boot

My earlier post showed up as a blank. Therefore, I am posting again.

I have a Dell Dimension 510 that has Vista operating system.

I was using Windows Defender to sanitize a software. It was taking too long
(maybe it froze) so I Exited Defender. It gave me an omenous sounding
message, something like if you remove this program your system will not be
protected. I went ahead and clicked Okay because it was stopping me from
doing anything else.

After that, when I turned on my PC, I got this error message:

Windows could not be started. This maybe due to removal or change in a
software. Please take the following steps to correct the problem:

1. Install the operating system disk that came with the PC
2. Select your language
3. Select "repair my computer."

The it had an error code, and stated that it could not read boot
configuration file.

I was told that I can reinstall Vista, but I will lose all my existing files
and programs. I want to avoid that, if possible.

Please help!

Thanks
Satish

How to use the Bootrec.exe tool in the Windows Recovery Environment to
troubleshoot and repair startup issues in Windows Vista:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/927392/en-us

--
Please use the Communities guidelines when posting.
http://www.microsoft.com/wn3/locales...help_en-us.htm
Use the "Ratings" feature. It helps the new users.
Mark L. Ferguson MS-MVP
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"Satish Gupta" <> wrote in message
news:6129A448-9705-4E9C-972B-...
> My earlier post showed up as a blank. Therefore, I am posting again.
>
> I have a Dell Dimension 510 that has Vista operating system.
>
> I was using Windows Defender to sanitize a software. It was taking too
> long
> (maybe it froze) so I Exited Defender. It gave me an omenous sounding
> message, something like if you remove this program your system will not be
> protected. I went ahead and clicked Okay because it was stopping me from
> doing anything else.
>
> After that, when I turned on my PC, I got this error message:
>
> Windows could not be started. This maybe due to removal or change in a
> software. Please take the following steps to correct the problem:
>
> 1. Install the operating system disk that came with the PC
> 2. Select your language
> 3. Select "repair my computer."
>
> The it had an error code, and stated that it could not read boot
> configuration file.
>
> I was told that I can reinstall Vista, but I will lose all my existing
> files
> and programs. I want to avoid that, if possible.
>
> Please help!
>
> Thanks
> Satish

As I replied earlier, you should be able to boot with your Vista DVD (unless
it's a system recovery disc from a computer manufacturer) and follow the
instructions given on the screen to carry out the repair. If you don't have
a retail DVD, borrow one. This process is safe to carry out and is the only
way you'll resolve your problem without a complete wipe and reinstall.

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User]
* NEW! Catch my blog ... http://msmvps.com/blogs/rgharper/
* PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
* The Website - http://rgharper.mvps.org/


"Satish Gupta" <> wrote in message
news:6129A448-9705-4E9C-972B-...
> My earlier post showed up as a blank. Therefore, I am posting again.
>
> I have a Dell Dimension 510 that has Vista operating system.
>
> I was using Windows Defender to sanitize a software. It was taking too
> long
> (maybe it froze) so I Exited Defender. It gave me an omenous sounding
> message, something like if you remove this program your system will not be
> protected. I went ahead and clicked Okay because it was stopping me from
> doing anything else.
>
> After that, when I turned on my PC, I got this error message:
>
> Windows could not be started. This maybe due to removal or change in a
> software. Please take the following steps to correct the problem:
>
> 1. Install the operating system disk that came with the PC
> 2. Select your language
> 3. Select "repair my computer."
>
> The it had an error code, and stated that it could not read boot
> configuration file.
>
> I was told that I can reinstall Vista, but I will lose all my existing
> files
> and programs. I want to avoid that, if possible.
>
> Please help!
>
> Thanks
> Satish

Thank you Richard.

Where can I get the "retail" Vista DVD from?

I have the installation disc that came from Dell. That does not work. Even
the Dell people could not make it work. Now, they are planning to send a
technician to take a look. My fear is that the technician will conclude that
the only solution is to reinstall, without trying the option you mentioned.
How can I avoid that? Should I ask them to get the retail Vista DVD when
they come, or there is a better way?

Regards,
Satish

"Richard G. Harper" wrote:

> As I replied earlier, you should be able to boot with your Vista DVD (unless
> it's a system recovery disc from a computer manufacturer) and follow the
> instructions given on the screen to carry out the repair. If you don't have
> a retail DVD, borrow one. This process is safe to carry out and is the only
> way you'll resolve your problem without a complete wipe and reinstall.
>
> --
> Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User]
> * NEW! Catch my blog ... http://msmvps.com/blogs/rgharper/
> * PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
> * The Website - http://rgharper.mvps.org/
>
>
> "Satish Gupta" <> wrote in message
> news:6129A448-9705-4E9C-972B-...
> > My earlier post showed up as a blank. Therefore, I am posting again.
> >
> > I have a Dell Dimension 510 that has Vista operating system.
> >
> > I was using Windows Defender to sanitize a software. It was taking too
> > long
> > (maybe it froze) so I Exited Defender. It gave me an omenous sounding
> > message, something like if you remove this program your system will not be
> > protected. I went ahead and clicked Okay because it was stopping me from
> > doing anything else.
> >
> > After that, when I turned on my PC, I got this error message:
> >
> > Windows could not be started. This maybe due to removal or change in a
> > software. Please take the following steps to correct the problem:
> >
> > 1. Install the operating system disk that came with the PC
> > 2. Select your language
> > 3. Select "repair my computer."
> >
> > The it had an error code, and stated that it could not read boot
> > configuration file.
> >
> > I was told that I can reinstall Vista, but I will lose all my existing
> > files
> > and programs. I want to avoid that, if possible.
> >
> > Please help!
> >
> > Thanks
> > Satish
>
>

A retail Vista DVD is exactly that - one that is sold at retail. Check with
friends, co-workers, whomever you associate with. Anyone with a
store-bought DVD or one of the "Anytime Upgrade" DVDs will be able to loan
it to you so you can do a startup repair. Do NOT attempt to use any sort of
system restore or other Vista DVD since these may well wipe the system
without much in the way of warning.

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User]
* NEW! Catch my blog ... http://msmvps.com/blogs/rgharper/
* PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
* The Website - http://rgharper.mvps.org/


"Satish Gupta" <> wrote in message
news:FDAC6C1C-34F9-42D2-8E36-...
> Thank you Richard.
>
> Where can I get the "retail" Vista DVD from?
>
> I have the installation disc that came from Dell. That does not work.
> Even
> the Dell people could not make it work. Now, they are planning to send a
> technician to take a look. My fear is that the technician will conclude
> that
> the only solution is to reinstall, without trying the option you
> mentioned.
> How can I avoid that? Should I ask them to get the retail Vista DVD when
> they come, or there is a better way?
>
> Regards,
> Satish
>
> "Richard G. Harper" wrote:
>
>> As I replied earlier, you should be able to boot with your Vista DVD
>> (unless
>> it's a system recovery disc from a computer manufacturer) and follow the
>> instructions given on the screen to carry out the repair. If you don't
>> have
>> a retail DVD, borrow one. This process is safe to carry out and is the
>> only
>> way you'll resolve your problem without a complete wipe and reinstall.
>>
>> --
>> Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User]
>> * NEW! Catch my blog ... http://msmvps.com/blogs/rgharper/
>> * PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
>> * The Website - http://rgharper.mvps.org/
>>
>>
>> "Satish Gupta" <> wrote in message
>> news:6129A448-9705-4E9C-972B-...
>> > My earlier post showed up as a blank. Therefore, I am posting again.
>> >
>> > I have a Dell Dimension 510 that has Vista operating system.
>> >
>> > I was using Windows Defender to sanitize a software. It was taking too
>> > long
>> > (maybe it froze) so I Exited Defender. It gave me an omenous sounding
>> > message, something like if you remove this program your system will not
>> > be
>> > protected. I went ahead and clicked Okay because it was stopping me
>> > from
>> > doing anything else.
>> >
>> > After that, when I turned on my PC, I got this error message:
>> >
>> > Windows could not be started. This maybe due to removal or change in a
>> > software. Please take the following steps to correct the problem:
>> >
>> > 1. Install the operating system disk that came with the PC
>> > 2. Select your language
>> > 3. Select "repair my computer."
>> >
>> > The it had an error code, and stated that it could not read boot
>> > configuration file.
>> >
>> > I was told that I can reinstall Vista, but I will lose all my existing
>> > files
>> > and programs. I want to avoid that, if possible.
>> >
>> > Please help!
>> >
>> > Thanks
>> > Satish
>>
>>

Thank you Richard. I will let you know how I make out.

"Richard G. Harper" wrote:

> A retail Vista DVD is exactly that - one that is sold at retail. Check with
> friends, co-workers, whomever you associate with. Anyone with a
> store-bought DVD or one of the "Anytime Upgrade" DVDs will be able to loan
> it to you so you can do a startup repair. Do NOT attempt to use any sort of
> system restore or other Vista DVD since these may well wipe the system
> without much in the way of warning.
>
> --
> Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User]
> * NEW! Catch my blog ... http://msmvps.com/blogs/rgharper/
> * PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
> * The Website - http://rgharper.mvps.org/
>
>
> "Satish Gupta" <> wrote in message
> news:FDAC6C1C-34F9-42D2-8E36-...
> > Thank you Richard.
> >
> > Where can I get the "retail" Vista DVD from?
> >
> > I have the installation disc that came from Dell. That does not work.
> > Even
> > the Dell people could not make it work. Now, they are planning to send a
> > technician to take a look. My fear is that the technician will conclude
> > that
> > the only solution is to reinstall, without trying the option you
> > mentioned.
> > How can I avoid that? Should I ask them to get the retail Vista DVD when
> > they come, or there is a better way?
> >
> > Regards,
> > Satish
> >
> > "Richard G. Harper" wrote:
> >
> >> As I replied earlier, you should be able to boot with your Vista DVD
> >> (unless
> >> it's a system recovery disc from a computer manufacturer) and follow the
> >> instructions given on the screen to carry out the repair. If you don't
> >> have
> >> a retail DVD, borrow one. This process is safe to carry out and is the
> >> only
> >> way you'll resolve your problem without a complete wipe and reinstall.
> >>
> >> --
> >> Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User]
> >> * NEW! Catch my blog ... http://msmvps.com/blogs/rgharper/
> >> * PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
> >> * The Website - http://rgharper.mvps.org/
> >>
> >>
> >> "Satish Gupta" <> wrote in message
> >> news:6129A448-9705-4E9C-972B-...
> >> > My earlier post showed up as a blank. Therefore, I am posting again.
> >> >
> >> > I have a Dell Dimension 510 that has Vista operating system.
> >> >
> >> > I was using Windows Defender to sanitize a software. It was taking too
> >> > long
> >> > (maybe it froze) so I Exited Defender. It gave me an omenous sounding
> >> > message, something like if you remove this program your system will not
> >> > be
> >> > protected. I went ahead and clicked Okay because it was stopping me
> >> > from
> >> > doing anything else.
> >> >
> >> > After that, when I turned on my PC, I got this error message:
> >> >
> >> > Windows could not be started. This maybe due to removal or change in a
> >> > software. Please take the following steps to correct the problem:
> >> >
> >> > 1. Install the operating system disk that came with the PC
> >> > 2. Select your language
> >> > 3. Select "repair my computer."
> >> >
> >> > The it had an error code, and stated that it could not read boot
> >> > configuration file.
> >> >
> >> > I was told that I can reinstall Vista, but I will lose all my existing
> >> > files
> >> > and programs. I want to avoid that, if possible.
> >> >
> >> > Please help!
> >> >
> >> > Thanks
> >> > Satish
> >>
> >>
>
>