Don't select Vista if its not selected. Just hit "Next" and you should get the menu we're talking about. If it is selected by default than you won't be able to unselect. In this case does auto-repair kick in or are you selecting startup repair from the menu? If you're selecting it yourself click "Command Prompt" instead and run:
chkdsk c: /r
Hi I don't select Vista it is already selected I click next and then the start up repair starts immediately - no other options now - I was getting the screen with the different options the first time I used the CD but not anymore??
Addendum:
Sounds like the HDD is totally inaccessible.
1) Check in the BIOS, that there is a HDD visible
2) Eject the HDD and reconnect it a few times to clean up the contacts.
If you still can't get past "repair your computer", and the CD works on another fully functional PC, then it would seem your HDD is in a bad way.
Have you another Laptop with a second bay you could put it in, and try using a working OS to run diagnostics ?
Or get on the website of the HDD manufacturer and look for a free bootable HDD diagnostic program. (they generally make one available that works for HDDs of their own make)
Hi again Terry, I think I might be a little bit out of my depth! The HDD is on the boot set up (Toshiba details are showing there) Is that what you mean? How do I eject the HDD? I'm thinking maybe this is something I can't repair considering I don't even know where to look for the answers you've given! Would like to give it a go though but I am obviously a bit of a dumbo!
Addendum:
The diagnosis repair details are:
"Number of repair attempts: 1
session details:
system disk = \Device\Harddisk0
Windows directory = C:\Windows
AutoChk Run = 0
Number of root causes = 1
Test Performed:
Name: Check for updates
Result: Completed successfully. Error code = 0 x 0
time taken = 0 ms
Test Performed:
Name: System disk test
Result: Completed successfully. Error code = 0 x0
Time taken - 0ms
Test performed:
Name: Disk Metadata test
Result:Completed successfully. Error code = 0 x 0
Time taken = 63 ms
Test Performed:
Name: Target OS test
Result: Completed successfully. Error code = 0 x 0
Time taken = 109 ms
Test Performed:
Name: Volume content check
Result: Completed successfully. error code = 0 x 0
Time taken = 187 ms
Root cause found:
System volume on disk is corrupt
Repair action: File system repair (chkdsk)
Result: Completed successfully. Error code - 0 x 0
Time taken: 601696 ms"
I then get a screen to restart your computer to complete the repairs I click finish, computer restarts. blue screen with white writing flashes up then windows error recovery screen comes on asking me to launch startup repair (recommended) or start windows normally.
When I select launch startup repair - windows is loading files........ but stops about half way through white line then windows boot manager screen comes up with the error message:
"windows has encountered a problem communicating with a device connected to your computer. This error can be caused by unplugging a removable storage device such as an external USB drive while the device is in use, or by faulty hardware such as a hard drive or CD-ROM drive that is failing. make sure any removable storage is properly connected and restart your computer. If you continue to receive this error message, contact the hardware manufacturer. Status: 0xc00000e9 Infor: An unexpected I/O has occurred. Enter=continue ESC = exit" (won't let me continue or exit have to restart the computer again.)
If I select start windows normally it just keeps going back to windows error recovery page.
