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Startup Repair
How to Run a Startup Repair in Windows 7
Published by Brink

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.

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 Repair Windows 7 System Files with System File Checker
How to Boot to the Advanced Boot Options in Windows 7 How to Create a System Recovery Shortcut in Windows 7
How to Boot to the System Recovery Options in Windows 7 Startup Repair - Run 3 Separate Times to Repair Boot Issues
How to Create a Windows 7 System Repair Disc How to Recover from an Infinitely Looping Startup Repair Loop without
How to See Windows 7 Reliability and Problem History with Reliability Reinstalling Windows
Monitor Bootmgr is missing - Fix
How to Run Disk Check in Windows 7 How to Use the Bootrec.exe Tool in Windows Recovery Environment
How to Do a System Restore in Windows 7

01 Jun 2009 #1

I am having this issue, but it keeps saying that it cannot recover itself.

ANormalUsername1

Posts : 3
Windows Vista
Home Edition x64

 My Computer   Quote

01 Jun 2009 #2

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.
Brink
Hope this helps,
Posts : 72,387 Shawn
64-bit Windows 11
Pro for Workstations
Thread Starter

 My Computer   Quote

01 Jun 2009 #3

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.

Night Hawk

Posts : 8,375
W7 Ultimate
x64/W10 Pro
x64/W11 Pro Triple
Boot - Main PC W7
Remote PC Micro
ATX W7 Pro
x64/W11 Pro

 My Computers   Quote

#4
 01 Jun 2009

I cannot do so, as I cannot log in to my account.

ANormalUsername1

Posts : 3
Windows Vista
Home Edition x64

 My Computer   Quote

01 Jun 2009 #5

You can boot from your Windows 7 installation disc to perform a repair install instead without losing anything. :)

Brink

Posts : 72,387
64-bit Windows 11
Pro for Workstations
Thread Starter

 My Computer   Quote

01 Jun 2009 #6

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.

Night Hawk

Posts : 8,375
W7 Ultimate
x64/W10 Pro
x64/W11 Pro Triple
Boot - Main PC W7
Remote PC Micro
ATX W7 Pro
x64/W11 Pro

 My Computers   Quote

02 Jun 2009 #7

Hmm... I'll check for the disk.

ANormalUsername1

Posts : 3
Windows Vista
Home Edition x64

 My Computer   Quote

#8
 18 Jun 2009

startup recovery tool from cmd

guys,
svyatko
can anyone give me some clues how to recover an installation using Startup Recovery tool from command line?
Posts : 1
windows 7 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

Last edited by svyatko; 18 Jun 2009 at 14:21. Reason: addon

 My Computer   Quote

18 Jun 2009 #9

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
Night Hawk fragile. One boot runs the next won't when the configuration is off.

Posts : 8,375 To avoid that hassle I simply yanked the drives out of external enclosures and see them installed internally solving a list of
W7 Ultimate
x64/W10 Pro problems. There you would have to rebuild the BCD store every other time. Plus booting from the dvd won't be much help for
x64/W11 Pro Triple any repairs on an external usb drive to start with.
Boot - Main PC W7
Remote PC Micro
ATX W7 Pro "Boot Configuration Data Editor Frequently Asked Questions" Boot Configuration Data Editor Frequently Asked Questions
x64/W11 Pro

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 Computers   Quote

 Page 1 of 18 1 2 3 11 ... Last

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