Easy repair system with Vista boot disk

A boot disk, sometimes called a startup disk, contains startup files that the computer can use to start Windows. Startup files are also stored on your computer's hard disk, but if these boot files are corrupted, you can start Windows by using the files on the startup disk.

Startup disks are particularly useful in older operating systems that use FAT or FAT32 file systems, such as Windows 95 and Windows 98, because Windows can also allow users to access files on the hard disk even if it does not start. This feature also means there is a security risk because anyone with the boot disk and computer Access can start the computer and access any files. Hard disks formatted with NTFS have built-in security features to prevent access to files using the Startup disk (Vista House article).

The Windows installation CD contains the files you need to start Windows, so it is the startup disk itself. If you have problems starting Windows, you can use the Setup CD to start Windows. The installation CD also includes startup Repair, which can be repaired if there is a problem with the normal startup of Windows. Startup Repair automatically solves many of the problems that you previously needed to boot a disk to resolve.

So how do you create a boot disk? Take a look at the following specific procedures:

1. Insert the installation CD. If your computer is not configured to start from a CD or DVD, check the information that came with your computer.

2. Restart the computer.

3. Select the language setting, and then click Next.

4. Click Repair Computer.

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

6. On the System Recovery Options menu, click Start Repair.

If your computer has preinstalled recovery options, you can do the following:

1. Remove all floppy disks, CDs, and DVDs from your computer, and then restart your computer.

2. (1) If the computer installs only one operating system, hold down the F8 key when the computer restarts. You need to press F8 before the Windows logo appears. If the Windows logo appears, you will need to attempt a reboot.

(2) If your computer has more than one operating system, use the arrow keys to highlight the operating system you want to repair, and then hold down F8.

3. On the Advanced startup Options screen, use the arrow keys to highlight repair computer, and then press Enter.

4. Select the keyboard layout, and then click Next. Select a user name and enter a password, and then click OK.

5. On the System Recovery Options menu, click Start Repair.

This makes it easy to fix the computer.