Diagnostic tools to use in safe mode-Windows Help

[donetao]

Hi Cindy thinks I'm to quite so I'm starting a thread. I have started one similar to this before. I'm hoping more members will participate and add to this. I'm sure all you geeks know about these things. Maybe some visitors will find some things interesting. I have copied this from the internet.

When using safe mode to troubleshoot problems with your computer, you might find the following tools and features helpful.

• Open Recovery by clicking the Start button
  
  , and then clicking Control Panel. In the search box, type recovery, and then click Recovery.
  
  You can use Recovery to restore the state of your computer's system to a previous point in time, or restore the contents of your hard disk from a backup. You can also reinstall Windows from a recovery image installed on your hard disk. For more information, see What is Recovery in Control Panel?
  
  
• Open Control Panel by clicking the Start button
  
  , and then clicking Control Panel.
  
  You can use Control Panel to access various tools for changing settings in Windows.
  
  
• Open Device Manager by clicking the Start button
  
  , clicking Control Panel, clicking System and Security, and then, under System, clicking Device Manager.‌
  
  If you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
  
  You can use Device Manager to update device drivers and configure hardware installed on your computer. You must be logged on as an administrator to use this program. If you aren't logged on as an administrator, you can change only settings that apply to your user account.
  
  
• Open Event Viewer by clicking the Start button
  
  , clicking Control Panel, clicking System and Security, clicking Administrative Tools, and then double-clicking Event Viewer.
  
  If you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
  
  You can use Event Viewer to view detailed entries about system and program events on your computer. You must be logged on as an administrator to use this program. If you aren't logged on as an administrator, you can change only settings that apply to your user account. For more information, see What information appears in event logs (Event Viewer)?
  
  
• Open System Information by clicking the Start button
  
  . In the search box, type System Information, and then, in the list of results, click System Information.
  
  You can use System Information to view details about your computer's hardware configuration, components, and drivers. For more information, see What is System Information?
  
  
• Open the Command Prompt window by clicking the Start button
  
  . In the search box, type Command Prompt, and then, in the list of results, click Command Prompt.
  
  Advanced users can use the Command Prompt window to use command line tools. You must be logged on as an administrator to use this program. If you aren't logged on as an administrator, you can change only settings that apply to your user account. For more information, see Command Prompt: frequently asked questions.
  
  
• Open the Registry Editor by clicking the Start button
  
  , typing regedit into the search box, and then pressing Enter.‌
  
  If you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
  
  Advanced users can use Registry Editor to make changes to Windows registry files. You must be logged on as an administrator to use this program. If you aren't logged on as an administrator, you can change settings that only apply to your user account. For more information, see What is Registry Editor?

I will attach some links to this thread! Windows makes it very easy to get your PC back up and running. Here are some recovery options.
What are the system recovery options in Windows-Windows Help?
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/...ns#what-are-system-recovery-options=windows-7


Source - http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/diagnostic-tools-use-safe-mode#1TC=windows-7

 

[donetao]

Some times you won't be able to get to the recovery mode through the safe mode. On my Toshiba lap top, I have to use a system repair CD to get to the repair mode!
From the command prompt you can run a chkdsk to test your HD and a lot more things!
If Windows 7 won't start or starts with significant problems, you may need to use the System Repair Disc to fix problems with Windows 7. The System Repair Disc is designed to let you boot up Windows — even if nothing else works — and provides you with several options for repairing your failing system.


You need to create the system repair disc. If you don’t create one, you limit your recovery options. The system repair disc is not the same thing as the recovery disc that came with your computer. It won’t reinstall Windows 7 and it won’t reformat your computer. It's simply a gateway to Windows' built-in recovery tools.


http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/create-a-system-repair-disc

 

[allheart55 (Cindy E)]

All good tools! Thanks, Gary.

I wouldn't advise most users to enter the registry.

 

[donetao]

All good tools! Thanks, Gary.

I wouldn't advise most users to enter the registry.

Good advise Cindy! Stay out of the registry unless you know absolutely what you're doing. One mess up in the registry and you will have to reinstall windows. Only enter the registry if a qualified tech advises you to! Always have a back up image of your OS on a external drive. I can never say that enough. Backup Backup Backup!!

 

[donetao]

Some times malware will destroy or damage your MBR and you won't be able to boot into windows. You can use the System repair CD to repair your MBR by going into Command Prompt!
Here's how! Windows has made repairing your PC fairly easy if you know what you're doing!
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/927392
How to run a chkdsk from command prompt??
http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/guide-to-using-check-disk-in-windows-vista/

 

[donetao]

Here's the recovery options and what each option does. I start from the top and work down until I solve my problem!
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/...ns#what-are-system-recovery-options=windows-7

 

[donetao]

Hi Before Dougie beats me to it. I don't use any of these tools. I create a system back up image of my OS once a month with Macrium. When I have a problem that refuses to get fixed, I just put my Windows PE3.1 in my disk drive and restore my OS with Macrium Reflect to just like the day I created the image. In 15+ minutes I'm back up a running with no problems. You can do that too or you can use all the above replies to try and fix your PC! It's your choice!!

 

[donetao]

Seriously I do use those tools because the seniors here at Golden Oaks are just like 95% of PC users, they never make a back up image of their OS. I never give up preaching about back ups however, even though I'm fighting a up hill battle. If I get just one person to create a back up image, then it won't be all in-vane.

 

[donetao]

Hi I would like some thoughts from all you that work on computers every day. I have a theory about the system repair CD.
If your PC fails to boot windows and you can't get into safe mode with F8. You can boot with the system repair CD which will get you into the windows recovery mode. There you can try a start up repair( try this at least 3 times before moving on to the others; system restore,system image recovery, windows memory diagnostic and command prompt (Where you can run a chkdsk). If you can't get to windows recovery with the System repair CD and you have your boot sequence set to boot from CDDVDW first, you're probably in big trouble. You may have a corrupted OS or possible hardware problems. I like to keep CDDVDW as my first boot order and HDD/SSD as second choice.
I would really like to hear your thoughts about this. I think everyone should have a system repair CD in your drawer!
Thank you!!

 

[donetao]

You can burn a system repair CD from here if your PC won't boot to windows!!
http://maximumpcguides.com/windows-7/create-a-windows-7-system-repair-disc/
Tip! If you want a list of all command prompts that are available, type help in the command prompt.
You must have administrative privileges!!

 

[donetao]

Hi! I'm kind a in my own little world here. These things just pop in my head and I want to share them while I can still remember them!! Maybe I'm being ignored and pampered. Here's how to run startup repair and some more good info!!
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/681-startup-repair.html

 

[lurkingatu2]

wait till you get to work on Windows 8/8.1 just give it time my friend you will come across one lol

mine is not that easy on Windows 8.1 to get to safemode or boot from a cd/dvd i have to use a USB Drive
made from the Recovery Media Creator to create a system recovery drive on a USB flash Drive because of UEFI
(Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) BIOS but i can turn UEFI off and use Legacy BIOS Mode then i can boot
from a cd/dvd

What You Need to Know About Using UEFI Instead of the BIOS
http://www.howtogeek.com/175649/what-you-need-to-know-about-using-uefi-instead-of-the-bios/

now to get to safe mode

5 Ways to Boot into Safe Mode in Windows 8 & Windows 8.1
http://www.7tutorials.com/5-ways-boot-safe-mode-windows-8-windows-81

the Recovery Media that is made by Windows 8/8.1 is like the one that is made by Windows 7 it is just the way it
is used to get booted from

the rest of the troubleshooting is the same though



James

 

[donetao]

Thanks friend! I can use those tips!

 

[donetao]

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

Source - http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/products/features/startup-repair

 

[donetao]

Hi Well I've had two replies to my thread. I was hoping for more, but I guess I'll have to settle for two. Some days you're the windshield. Some days you're the Bug! No agreements and no disagreements. I try to make a hand on Free PC Help Forum!! I'm just thankful I'm allowed to create threads and reply on other threads. That's a good thing that I haven't always had the privilege to do on some help forums; so I'm thankful for that.
I hope some things in this thread help some one. Back up Back up Back up your OS on a external drive. Please!!
Thanks @allheart55 (Cindy E) and @lurkingatu2 for your replies!!

 

[DSTM]

Of course your information posts are appreciated, Gary.
Thanks for your valued contributions and no doubt will help many members and guests.

 

[shortordercook]

All good tools! Thanks, Gary.

I wouldn't advise most users to enter the registry.

I also would be cautious or not randomly suggest 'recovery', until it is decided to do that. I might be leaning to caution, but it seems that would be in a 'more or less' last ditch effort, once one has decided they can't fix a problem any other way. I think that is a way too generic suggestion, but just my thoughts.

 

[donetao]

I also would be cautious or not randomly suggest 'recovery', until it is decided to do that. I might be leaning to caution, but it seems that would be in a 'more or less' last ditch effort, once one has decided they can't fix a problem any other way. I think that is a way too generic suggestion, but just my thoughts.

Not sure where I suggested recovery. I'm suggesting recovery mode, which is always a good place to start. If you make regular system back up images, you won't have to worry. Recovery mode, you just put the macrium recovery Cd in your disk drive and 15+ minutes your back just like the day you made that image! It's so easy to do!
http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/7363/macrium-reflect-is-a-free-and-easy-to-use-backup-utility/

 

[donetao]

No matter how fast or shiny computers might be when they're new, they all seem to get slower over time. That state-of-the-art PC you bought last year might not feel like such a screamer after you install a dozen programs, load it with antispyware and antivirus tools, and download untold amounts of junk from the Internet. The slowdown might happen so gradually that you hardly notice it, until one day you're trying to open a program or file and wonder, "What happened to my poor PC?"

Whatever the cause, there are lots of ways to help speed up Windows and make your PC work better—even without upgrading your hardware.
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/...optimize-windows-better-performance=windows-7

 

[shortordercook]

Not sure where I suggested recovery. I'm suggesting recovery mode, which is always a good place to start. If you make regular system back up images, you won't have to worry. Recovery mode, you just put the macrium recovery Cd in your disk drive and 15+ minutes your back just like the day you made that image! It's so easy to do!
http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/7363/macrium-reflect-is-a-free-and-easy-to-use-backup-utility/

Open Recovery by clicking the Start button

, and then clicking Control Panel. In the search box, type recovery, and then click Recovery.

You can use Recovery to restore the state of your computer's system to a previous point in time, or restore the contents of your hard disk from a backup. You can also reinstall Windows from a recovery image installed on your hard disk. For more information, see What is Recovery in Control Panel?

You suggested recovery, at least it appeared that way to me... ?