BleepingComputer.com: Startup repair cannot repair this problem - Help please

Hello,

I have an acer laptop running window vista an I cannot startup windows any more. I run through the automated "launch startup repair" and when it's finished I get this error "Startup repair cannot repair this problem automatically".

I cannot boot up in safe mode either or boot up in the last known good configuration.

This problem occured when I clicked on switch user. The computer locked up and now I cannot start windows.

Is there any way to fix this without losing any files?

I would like to do this: http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/repair-windows-with-windows-startup-repair/ - but I do not have the install cd that came with the laptop.
I do have a vista upgrade cd that I got when I purchased windows XP that I have never used. Will this upgrade cd work? The upgrade cd is older than the laptop.

Thanks for your help!

The automated process that you've run through is the same that you'll access using the disk. Is there something else in that process that you wanted to try? If so, have a look at this topic for some resources: http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/blogs/usas...?showentry=1261

Have you performed a memory diagnostic or a hard drive diagnostic?

I am trying to get to the point that I can use the system recovery options shown in the tutorial. I am not getting these tools like shown.

How do I do the memory diagnostic or a hard drive diagnostic without being able to start windows?


Thanks

How did you get to the Launch Startup Repair?
One of the choices when you get to the Safe Mode should be "Press F8 for advanced options" or something similar.
At that screen there should be an option for the Windows Memory Diagnostic.

Also, when starting Startup Repair, this link may help: http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/using-vista-windows-memory-diagnostics-tool/
Check out figure 5 for the entry to select the Windows Memory Diagnostic.

The link in my previous post will show you how to make a Startup Repair disk.