To help out troubleshoot error messages as well as additional issues, you can start Windows Vista by means of a least set of drivers as well as startup programs. This kind of startup is well-known as a "clean boot." A clean boot helps remove software conflicts. This article describes how to troubleshoot problems in Windows Vista by performing a clean boot. This article also describes how to start the Windows Installer service as well as how to rearrange the PC so that it starts as normal.

Note

When you execute a clean boot, you might for the time being lose some functionality. When you set up the computer as normal, the functionality returns. But, you might get the original error message, or you might experience the unique performance.

Step 1: Perform a clean boot

Note

If the PC is attached to a network, network policy settings might avoid you from subsequent these steps. We strongly recommend that you do not make use of the System Configuration utility to adapt the advanced boot options on the PC unless a Microsoft support engineer directs you to do this. Doing this might make the PC not viable.

a. Log on to the PC by using an account that has administrator rights.

b. Click Start, type msconfig.exe in the Start Search box, as well as afterward press ENTER to start the System Configuration Utility.

If you are provoked for an administrator password or for verification, type your password, or click Continue.

c. On the General tab, click Selective Startup, and afterward click to clear the Load startup items check box. (The Use Original Boot.ini check box is busy.)

d. On the Services tab, click to decide on the Hide all Microsoft services check box, as well as afterward click Disable all.

Note

Following this step lets Microsoft services carry on to run. These services include Networking, Plug and Play, Event Logging, Error Reporting, as well as additional services. If you stop these services, you might eternally remove all restore points. Do not do this if you wish to make use of the System Restore utility together with accessible restore points.

e. Click OK, and afterward click Restart.

Step 2: Enable half of the services

a. Follow steps 1a as well as 1b to start the System Configuration utility.

b. Click the Services tab, and afterward click to choose the Hide all Microsoft services check box.

c. Click to choose half of the check boxes in the Service list.

d. Click OK, and afterward click Restart.

Step 3: Determine whether the problem returns

If the trouble still occurs, do again step 1 as well as step 2. In step 2, click to clear half of the check boxes so as to you originally chosen in the Service list.

If the trouble does not arise, repeat step 1 as well as step 2. In step 2, choose only half of the remaining check boxes that are vacant in the Service list. Repeat these steps pending you have chosen all the check boxes.

If only one service is chosen in the Service list, as well as you still experience the trouble, the chosen service causes the trouble. Go to step 6. If no service causes this trouble, go to step 4.

Step 4: Enable half of the Startup items

a. Perform a clean boot by repeating step 1.

b. Click the Startup tab, and afterward click to choose half of the check boxes in the Startup Item list.

c. Click OK, and after that click Restart.

Step 5: Determine whether the problem returns

If the trouble still occurs, repeat step 1 as well as step 4. In step 4, click to clear half of the check boxes that you initially chosen in the Startup Item list.

If the trouble does not take place, repeat step 1 as well as step 4. In step 4, choose only half of the outstanding check boxes that are cleared in the Startup Item list. Repeat these steps until you have chosen all the check boxes.

If only one startup item is chosen in the Startup Item list, as well as you still experience the problem, the startup item that is chosen in the list is the service that is causing the trouble. Go to step 6.

If no startup item causes this trouble, a Microsoft service most likely causes the problem. To settle on which Microsoft service might be causing the problem, repeat step 1 as well as step 2 without selecting the Hide all Microsoft services check box in any step.

Step 6: Resolve the problem

After you find out the startup item or the service that causes the trouble, contact the program manufacturer to decide whether the difficulty can be determined. Or, run the System Configuration Utility, as well as after that click to clear the check box for the problem item.

Step 7: Reset the computer to start as usual

After you have completed troubleshooting, pursue these steps to reorganize the PC to start as normal:

a. Click Start, type msconfig.exe in the Start Search box, as well as afterward press ENTER.

If you are provoked for an administrator password or for verification, type your code word, or click Continue.

b. On the General tab, click the Normal Startup option, as well as afterward click OK.

c. When you are encouraged to restart the PC, click Restart.