stuck in loop, no desktop

[BDoll]

My vista sys is stuck in loop. It goes from Windows recovery error (Safe mode, normal mode etc.) to Problem detected (on a blue screen) to Service ATA achi, Dell start-up then back to Windows recovery error. I may not have the sequence exact here as these screens come up quickly. As best as I can recall this prob. started after I tried to download a current driver/ sys. Update for my multifunction printer.
I can get to a screen called “Boot Device Menu” by tapping on the F12 key during the loop. But I’m not sure what to do with this screen. Do I use the “onboard or USB floppy drive” or “onboard or USB CD-Rom drive” or “System start up” or “HD diag”, or “Boot utility part”. I don’t want to make the problem worse. Would one of these options help solve the problem and allow me to get back to the desktop?
I’d like to do a restore of my machine w/o losing my docs and pictures.

 

[liquidsnaske]

hi Bdoll,

It sounds like you want to perform a system restore on your pc, this will roll the drivers and settings back to what they were but won't touch your files and pictures. To do this pop your windows vista disc into the machine, go to your Boot Device Menu and choose "onboard or USB CD-Rom drive then hit a key when prompted to boot form CD rom. The steps after that are standard so I'll point you to another tutorial for them at http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/system-restore-from-windows-vista-recovery-environment/ .

Good luck, please post back if you have any problems.

My vista sys is stuck in loop. It goes from Windows recovery error (Safe mode, normal mode etc.) to Problem detected (on a blue screen) to Service ATA achi, Dell start-up then back to Windows recovery error. I may not have the sequence exact here as these screens come up quickly. As best as I can recall this prob. started after I tried to download a current driver/ sys. Update for my multifunction printer.
I can get to a screen called “Boot Device Menu” by tapping on the F12 key during the loop. But I’m not sure what to do with this screen. Do I use the “onboard or USB floppy drive” or “onboard or USB CD-Rom drive” or “System start up” or “HD diag”, or “Boot utility part”. I don’t want to make the problem worse. Would one of these options help solve the problem and allow me to get back to the desktop?
I’d like to do a restore of my machine w/o losing my docs and pictures.

 

[BDoll]

I have followed the instruction recommended by liquidsnake and in the article by bleepingcomputer. With my re-install disk inserted I made many attempts to get back to Windows from the Boot Device Menu and the Windows Error Recovery screens. Every attempt took me right back into the loop. I tried starting in Safe Mode, From last good start and Start Normally. All ideas are appreciated.

 

[BDoll]

hi Bdoll,

It sounds like you want to perform a system restore on your pc, this will roll the drivers and settings back to what they were but won't touch your files and pictures. To do this pop your windows vista disc into the machine, go to your Boot Device Menu and choose "onboard or USB CD-Rom drive then hit a key when prompted to boot form CD rom. The steps after that are standard so I'll point you to another tutorial for them at http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/system-restore-from-windows-vista-recovery-environment/ .

Good luck, please post back if you have any problems.

My vista sys is stuck in loop. It goes from Windows recovery error (Safe mode, normal mode etc.) to Problem detected (on a blue screen) to Service ATA achi, Dell start-up then back to Windows recovery error. I may not have the sequence exact here as these screens come up quickly. As best as I can recall this prob. started after I tried to download a current driver/ sys. Update for my multifunction printer.
I can get to a screen called “Boot Device Menu” by tapping on the F12 key during the loop. But I’m not sure what to do with this screen. Do I use the “onboard or USB floppy drive” or “onboard or USB CD-Rom drive” or “System start up” or “HD diag”, or “Boot utility part”. I don’t want to make the problem worse. Would one of these options help solve the problem and allow me to get back to the desktop?
I’d like to do a restore of my machine w/o losing my docs and pictures.

our

Hello, Liquidsnake I tried your suggestion for a restore. see this note;

I have followed the instruction recommended by liquidsnake and in the article by bleepingcomputer. With my re-install disk inserted I made many attempts to get back to Windows from the Boot Device Menu and the Windows Error Recovery screens. Every attempt took me right back into the loop. I tried starting in Safe Mode, From last good start and Start Normally. All ideas are appreciated.
BDoll