HEIR Services (Human External Intelligence Resource)

Troubleshooting VISTA ( Table of Contents )

Home
Links To Online Articles & Social Networks
Windows 7 Technical Support
Contact Webmaster / Publisher
Troubleshooting No Power, No Post, No Video
Additional Selected Library of Resource Websites
DELL Related Links
Vista_TOC
Article References
Table of Contents_NW&IE
ToC_XP
How-To Sources

Windows Vista Compatibility Center

Vista Boot Process :
 
BIOS > MBR > PBR ( Partition Boot Record ) >
 
Boot mgr BCD ( Boot Configuration Database )
Winload.exe ( OS Loader )
Ntoskrnl
( These last three steps are equivalent to NTLDR in XP. )

1.  How to determine the exact "Blue Screen Error"  ( V -  1, 14 )
2.  Interpretations of Bluescreen Error Codes  ( V - 13, 16 )
3.  How to identify "Problems and Solutions"  ( V - 1, 12, 14 )
     3.1 Verify Error Reporting in Vista  ( V - 12 )
4.  What to do when Windows does not start at all in Vista.  ( V - 3 )
5.  Limitations of Startup Repair  ( V - 4, 11, 41  )
     5.1  How to access Startup Repair  in Vista DVD ( F12 Dell  - V- 3 )
     5.2  Access the Pre-installed Statup Repair  ( in F8  - V - 3 )
     5.3  What you can do if Startup Repair  fails  ( V - 41 )
6.  How to use WinRE to repair Vista  ( V - 5 )
7.  How to utilize System Configuration  ( V - 6 to 9 )
6.  How to enable Administrator Account in Vista ( V - 2 , 44, 45 )
8.  How to stop the Vista problem of  " Skipping Sound "  ( V - 10 )
9.  DELL Factory Image Restore  ( V - 15 )
10.  When to reset BIOS default & clear NVRam  ( V - 16 )
11. How to troubleshoot Windows Update errors  ( V - 18, 19 )
12. Problems with Media Center in Vista  ( V - 20, 21 )
13. Multiple Issues ( V - 22 )
       13.1  Service Pack 1
       13.2  Upgrading from XP
       13.3  Slow to establish netowrk after waking from sleep
       13.4  Direct X
       13.5  Mobile PC
       13.6  Windows Live
       13.7  Windows Media Player
                13.7.a  Media Player 11 - How To  ( V - 27 )
                            >  How to Burn a CD or DVD
                            >  How to Sync to a device
                            >  How to change the appearance of Media Player
                            >  How to play a Video or Audio File
                            >  Other FAQs
14.  Troubleshooting Media Center  ( V - 20, 21 )
       14.1  Identify and filter the version of MCE
15.  How to setup a Windows Vista Network  ( V - 23 to 25 )
       15.1  Requirements to setup a network
       15.2  Steps to setup a home network
       15.3  How to change the TCP/IP settings
16.  How to verify/switch to Admin Acct next time you Log In ( V-26)
17.  Check Disk Tool  (  V - 31, 34  )
       17.1  How to run chkdsk
       17.2  When to run chkdsk ( 2 valid reasons )
       17.3  When you should NOT do chkdsk
18.  Other procedures to fix Vista Errors  (  V - 28 )
       18.1  Sequence of  loading applications to Vista
       18.2  How to repair the Master Boot Record
       18.3  Two ways to fix Winload.exe
19.  DELL Quickset in Vista  ( V - 36 )
       19.1  Shortcut commands for Quickset features
       19.2  How to configure Radio Status to Mobile Broadband
20.  How to utilize Vista Memory Diagnostic Tool  ( V - 37 )
21.  How to disable Automatic Restart of Vista  ( V - 37 )
22.  How to fix Vista when it will not shutdown  ( V - 38 )
23.  How to use Dell Support Center in Vista  ( V -38 )
24.  Forgot of Lost Password for Vista  ( V - 40 )
       24.1  Alternative Resolution # 1
       24.2  Alternative Resolution # 2
25.  How to resolve missing desktop icons in Vista  ( V - 45, 46 )
       > No Start / Round Button, No Task Bar
26.  How to enable Command Prompt whenever it is missing  ( V - 46 )
27.  USB Mouse or Keyboard Disappeared after Windows Update ?
       > ( V - 47 )
28.  IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL  Vista Bluescreen  ( V - 48 )
29.  How to fix errors with Direct X

How to Optimize Vista Performance

How to force Vista to boot to Safemode :
 
msconfig > Click on "Boot" of the System Configuration ;
click the checkbox beside Safeboot / minimum ;
Restart

How to stop a program from running automatically when Windows Vista starts ( the Microsoft way)
 
1. Click to open Windows Defender.
2. Click Tools
3. Click SW Explorer
4. Under Category Box, click Startup Programs.
5. Select the program.
6. Disable that program.
7. Confirm with YES.

 
How to Activate Vista Administrator
Option # 1
1. Start > Programs > Accessories > Command Prompt > right click
2. Run Command Prompt as Administrator
3. (type) Net user administrator /active:yes
4. Restart Computer
5. Log in as Administrator
6. Thereafter, user will have admin rights to uninstall/reinstall
   SW in pc.
 
Option # 2
Local Security Method to Enable the Administrator Account
Kindly sent in by Dave Waddell
If you prefer a simpler method, visit the Local Security policy, incidentally, this MMC is worth exploring in its own right.
This is how you navigate to the Local Security Policy. 
Firstly click on Vista's Start orb, then in the Start Search dialog box type: secpol.msc.  Note: you must include the .msc extension.
Secondly drill down to Local Policy, Security Options
Thirdly double click Accounts: Administrator account status, and select enable.
 

Resolution for Stop Error Code 0x7e or 0x50 in Vista 64-bit

Resolution for Stop Error code 0x3E when installing Vista Service Pack 2

Various How-To Issues About Vista

To view a Vista Simulator within, click on the first letter of the Vista pageview that you are looking for, e.g. "C" for Control Panel of Vista .

How to perform a Memory Diagnostics in Vista
1, Start > type "memory" on search box.
2. Click on the Memory Diagnostic Tool GUI that will pop-up.
3. Restart now and check for problems with memory.
 

Where to get a FREE Vista Recovery disk - 32 bit and 64 - bit for troubleshooting

Access Vista Factory Image via Command Prompt
 
C:\ path d:\windows;d:\windows\system32
 
d:
CD Tools
PCRestore
 

How to overcome Password Problems in Vista ...Alternative # 1

How To Overcome Vista Passwork Issues...alternative # 2...
 
Read the articles at http://4sysops.com/archives/three-ways-to-reset-a-windows-vista-admin-password/  and consider the following possible alternatives :
 
Forgot Your Windows Password?
A lot of people think that after having lost their Windows admin password, they absolutely have to reinstall their OS. Let me tell you something: They are wrong! Here I’m posting a few methods / utilities which can be used to recover Windows password:
 
1st Method:
The first thing which you check if you forget login password. When we install Windows, it automatically creates an account “Administrator” and sets its password to blank. So if you have forgotten your user account password then try this:
 
Start system and when you see Windows Welcome screen / Login screen, press ++ del keys twice and it’ll show Classic Login box. Now type “Administrator” (without quotes) in Username and leave Password field blank. Now press Enter and you should be able to log in Windows.
 
Now you can reset your account password from “Control Panel -> User Accounts”.
Same thing can be done using Safe Mode. In Safe Mode Windows will show this in-built Administrator account in Login screen.
 

How to overcome a Vista Password problem....Possible Alternative # 3
 
Right before the Welcome Screen, try pressing Ctrl + Alt + Del three times. This will show a screen that will ask for the default Username and Password. Type "Administrator" as username, and leave password "blank".
 
If able to enter Windows, proceed to the Control Panel. Create User Accounts with Passwords. Also create a User Account without password.
 
Always login not as administrator to avoid being hacked. Use admin account only for editing or adding important files into your system.

Assuming you have confirmed that the Hard Drive is still good by performing the corresponding diagnostics, and ALL SW troubleshooting failed, the last option is to DEBUG that hard drive or perform a LOW LEVEL Format ( not Quick Format but Custom Format )... then reinstall Windows Vista. Here are the Microsoft Guidelines.

Enter supporting content here