eMachines Windows Vista FAQ

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Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) on Windows Vista Backup Media

The Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) can be used when troubleshooting issues where the computer cannot boot into Windows. It can be used for automatic diagnosis and recovery using Startup Repair, or it can be used to manually recover the computer using the tools available from within the environment such as the Registry Editor or System Restore.

1. Place the Windows Vista operating system disc in the optical drive. Close any dialog boxes that open.

2. Restart the computer.

   Note: The computer must be configured to boot to the CD/DVD drive.

3. After the Gateway/eMachines BIOS logo appears, when prompted, press any key to boot from CD or DVD.
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4. Windows loads files.
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5. In the Install Windows dialog box, select the appropriate information, and then click Next.
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6. In the Install Windows dialog box, click Repair your computer.
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7. In the System Recovery Options dialog box, select the appropriate operating system, and then click Next. If controller drivers are needed, click Load Drivers.
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8. In the System Recovery Options window, select the appropriate option.
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From within the Windows Recovery Environment there are a variety of tools that can be used for troubleshooting:

• Startup Repair - Can be used to automatically diagnose and fix problems that are preventing Windows from starting. These problems could be registry corruption and missing/corrupted/damaged system or driver files. It can also diagnose some hardware failures.

• System Restore - Restore Windows to an earlier point in time.

• Complete PC Restore - Restore a system-level backup. This assumes you have done a Complete PC backup prior to attempting to use this tool. This backup point could be stored on DVD/CD discs or a local hard drive.

  Note: This option is only functional within Windows Vista Ultimate.

• Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool - This tool checks your computer for memory hardware errors. For additional information on how to use the Windows Memory Diagnostic tool see the Tools and Troubleshooting - Memory Diagnostic Tool document.

• Command Prompt - Opens a command prompt window. Focus is not on the system drive, but instead on the RAM Drive (X:\Sources).
  • From there you have the ability to use the WinPE image to perform all of the tasks that could be done from the Recovery Console in Windows XP, with additional access and capabilities.
  • You can launch utilities like regedit (Registry Editor) and taskmgr (Task Manager). You can also launch msinfo32 but you need to navigate to your system32 directory on your system drive (i.e.: c:\windows\system32). Note that some of the information from msinfo will be from what is loaded in WinRE rather than what is on the system you are trying to diagnose.
  • You can launch the Malicious Removal Tool (MRT) and scan the drive, which by default would be the system drive. Keep on mind that if you run the tool from the install media, it might not have the latest updated bits and signatures.
  • It is not possible to launch utilities such as msconfig, Device Manager and Computer Manager from within WinRE.

Note: Some of the information in this document was provided by Microsoft.