Windows Vista won't start

I try to boot my computer and I basically get a message that says that there
is no operating system. My computer was fine the last time I used it and shut
it down. I had recently upgraded from Windows XP to Windows Vista. I really
have no clue as to how this could have happened.

Do you get a screen listing 2 operating systems?
Like
1. Previous Windows Version
2. Windows Vista


"LB" <> wrote in message
news:420176BB-2FDC-4571-9DE3-...
>I try to boot my computer and I basically get a message that says that
>there
> is no operating system. My computer was fine the last time I used it and
> shut
> it down. I had recently upgraded from Windows XP to Windows Vista. I
> really
> have no clue as to how this could have happened.

You don't provide much information. Depending on the message, you could
have left a floppy disk in the computer. You might try to use your Vista
install DVD and see if the os is recognised when you do a startup repair.

"LB" <> wrote in message
news:420176BB-2FDC-4571-9DE3-...
>I try to boot my computer and I basically get a message that says that
>there
> is no operating system. My computer was fine the last time I used it and
> shut
> it down. I had recently upgraded from Windows XP to Windows Vista. I
> really
> have no clue as to how this could have happened.

The first thing that comes up is normal – the big red Compaq logo.
Then the screen changes and “Missing Operating System� shows up.
Nothing else is listed.


"Dave" wrote:

> Do you get a screen listing 2 operating systems?
> Like
> 1. Previous Windows Version
> 2. Windows Vista
>
>
> "LB" <> wrote in message
> news:420176BB-2FDC-4571-9DE3-...
> >I try to boot my computer and I basically get a message that says that
> >there
> > is no operating system. My computer was fine the last time I used it and
> > shut
> > it down. I had recently upgraded from Windows XP to Windows Vista. I
> > really
> > have no clue as to how this could have happened.
>
>

ok, I thought maybe you installed a dual boot...

I'd insert the Vista DVD and use the startup repair...
http://vistasupport.mvps.org/vista_d...er_options.htm



"LB" <> wrote in message
news:C132FC2A-A56B-4AA0-9147-...
> The first thing that comes up is normal – the big red Compaq logo.
> Then the screen changes and “Missing Operating System� shows up.
> Nothing else is listed.
>
>
> "Dave" wrote:
>
>> Do you get a screen listing 2 operating systems?
>> Like
>> 1. Previous Windows Version
>> 2. Windows Vista
>>
>>
>> "LB" <> wrote in message
>> news:420176BB-2FDC-4571-9DE3-...
>> >I try to boot my computer and I basically get a message that says that
>> >there
>> > is no operating system. My computer was fine the last time I used it
>> > and
>> > shut
>> > it down. I had recently upgraded from Windows XP to Windows Vista. I
>> > really
>> > have no clue as to how this could have happened.
>>
>>

when I had this problem it was the cable that connected the hard drive to the
motherboard. I replaced the cable and it fixed the problem.

cheers

"LB" wrote:

> I try to boot my computer and I basically get a message that says that there
> is no operating system. My computer was fine the last time I used it and shut
> it down. I had recently upgraded from Windows XP to Windows Vista. I really
> have no clue as to how this could have happened.

I tried using my Vista CD and followed the steps under "startup repair" even
though there still was no operating system in the box- this appears to work.
Then the computer reboots and my desktop appears. I wait a minute to make
sure the system has fully loaded as Vista has had to do before this problem.
I click on some Icons such as Microsoft word and Internet Explorer- neither
will appear now, so I try the process over again through the start menu they
both appear Word works fine but Explorer refuses to load the bar on the
bottom that shows the progress in loading isn't going beyond 1/3 full. When
it finally does after about 10 minutes the mouse isn't able to click on
anything other than the start menu.
------
The computer seems to be very slow- slower than before this problem
occurred- I had about 2-3 weeks between the time of loading Vista and this
problem. Now it won't even exit out of programs quickly at all (takes 3-4
minutes).

I don't think my problem could be related to a connection to the motherboard
since the computer itself is only about 8mo. old. This problem is so
frustrating... I don't know what to do next...

"Daniel- Sydney" wrote:

> when I had this problem it was the cable that connected the hard drive to the
> motherboard. I replaced the cable and it fixed the problem.
>
> cheers
>
> "LB" wrote:
>
> > I try to boot my computer and I basically get a message that says that there
> > is no operating system. My computer was fine the last time I used it and shut
> > it down. I had recently upgraded from Windows XP to Windows Vista. I really
> > have no clue as to how this could have happened.

If you can get into event viewer, have a look for errors
under System and Applications, if you find one, and you will, double click
on it and follow the link, there will be information about what caused your
problem.

Event Viewer is found at
Start/Control Panel/Administrative tools/Event Viewer

regards

"LB" wrote:

> I don't think my problem could be related to a connection to the motherboard
> since the computer itself is only about 8mo. old. This problem is so
> frustrating... I don't know what to do next...
>
> "Daniel- Sydney" wrote:
>
> > when I had this problem it was the cable that connected the hard drive to the
> > motherboard. I replaced the cable and it fixed the problem.
> >
> > cheers
> >
> > "LB" wrote:
> >
> > > I try to boot my computer and I basically get a message that says that there
> > > is no operating system. My computer was fine the last time I used it and shut
> > > it down. I had recently upgraded from Windows XP to Windows Vista. I really
> > > have no clue as to how this could have happened.

Thank you all for your great help in getting my computer usable again! It
seems that using the Vista CD did the trick- thanks Dave. My computer still
takes a minute to upload desktop items but it's not as bad as it was an hour
ago!
------
Daniel- Sydney I'm not sure where System and Applications was but most of my
problems seemed to have been solved bu itself.
------
Thanks all