How to access the System Recovery Options menu in Vista

In this version of Windows, the Recovery Console in earlier versions of Windows was removed and replaced with several tools in the System Recovery Options menu.

If Windows does not start properly, you can use these tools to fix startup problems, restore system files to an earlier point in time, run tests on your computer's random access memory, and restore your entire computer and system files from backup within some versions of WindowsVista.

How do I access the system Recovery Options menu?

If you have a Windows installation CD-ROM, you can do the following:

Insert the installation CD.

Restart your computer.

Click the Start button, click the arrow next to the Lock button, and then click Restart.

If you receive a prompt, press any key to start Windows from the installation CD. If your computer is not configured to start from a CD or DVD, check the information that came with your computer.

Select the language Settings, and then click Next.

Click Repair Computer.

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

On the System Recovery Options menu, click a tool to open it.

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

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

Click the Start button, click the arrow next to the Lock button, and then click Restart.

Do one of the following:

► If you have only one operating system installed on your computer, hold down the F8 key while the computer restarts. You must press F8 before the Windows logo appears. If the Windows logo appears, you will need to try again by waiting until the Windows logon prompt appears and then shutting down and restarting the computer.

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.

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

Select the keyboard layout, and then click Next.

Select the user name and enter the password, and then click OK.

On the System Recovery Options menu, click a tool to open it.