Windows Vista Unable to start laptop

Hi,
I am only able to start my laptop in safe mode. When I turn it on I get a "Windows unable to start" message & have an option of accessing a repair menu or start as normal. When I choose start as normal option a BSOD screen appears very briefly (unable to read this screen as it is only on for half a second) & it then goes back to the "Windows unable to start" screen. When I access the repair screen it tries to repair but is anable to & shuts down. I've tried running a virus scan in safe mode, but, it stops half way through the scan.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Rich.

 

A Stop error occurs, or the computer stops responding when you try to start Windows Vista
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/925810/en-us

If you don't have an "installation disk ", you will need to search for information about startup problems at the laptop manufacturer's website.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/927525/en-us
Is there any option to start in "Last Known Good Configuration "?

"If Windows Vista starts in safe mode, go to the "Resolve the cause of the startup problem" section." I suppose you find that through Help and Support [Edit: I have not been to Vista Safe Mode, it may be a selection when you first enter].

In Safe Mode, look in Device Manager for any problems listed. If you have not installed any new hardware or software recently, I suggest opening Windows Update, finding which updates were installed recently and uninstalling them.

Try going to Help and Support and typing in restore. There are some suggestions there.

Matt

 

Cheers Mattman,
OK, the laptop starts in normal mode, now & again, but, I still get the repair screen on start up. Shall I post a Hijack log?

 

You can, but what might help more is if you can remember what changes may have been made just prior to it starting to happen.

If you have UAC running, it would have asked you for permission to allow any "changes ". The changes may be installing new hardware or software or updating Windows or a third party program.

Check Device Manager if any problems are listed.

Go to Start -> Computer, right-click on the "Hard Disk Drive" (do each drive if you have more than one), select Properties -> Tools tab and run Error Checking on the drive, also select to test the disk surface.

If the machine has run perfectly up until now, it may due to a change in something "normal" and a Hijack This log will not tell us much.

Matt
PS If you have any USB or other peripheral devices connected, disconnect them.

 

Another place to check is Event Viewer. Look for series of Critical events dating from when it started.