Troubleshoot and fix Vista startup problems with the Bootrec.exe tool

You can use the Bootrec.exe tool in the Windows Recovery Environment (Windows RE) to troubleshoot and repair problems with the following items in Windows Vista:

* Master boot Record (MBR)

* Boot Sector

* Launch configuration data (BCD) store

Note: When using Windows RE to troubleshoot startup problems, you should first try the "Start repair" option in the System Recovery Options dialog box. If the Start Repair option does not resolve this issue, or if you must resolve the problem manually through a number of steps, use the Bootrec.exe tool.

More information

To run the Bootrec.exe tool, you must start Windows RE. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Put the Windows Vista installation disk into the CD-ROM drive, and then start the computer.

2. Press a key when prompted by the system.

3. Select the language, time, currency, keyboard, or Input method, and then click Next.

4. Click Repair Computer.

5. Click the operating system that you want to repair, and then click Next.

6. In the System Recovery Options dialog box, click Command Prompt.