Journal #5051

Install NT, or Server Edition 2003.

Well when I installed an old version of Vegas made before Vista existed it warned me that the file it was installing has been known not to work with Vista. I ignored it thinking the program would just not work..I had to see but for some reason that file had something to do with the system files...It would cause my PC to freeze on boot.

SO my point is don't install old programs on Vista! Cause I got a Dell I just choose reset to factory settings and it returns to the way it was when I first got it. :>

Good luck!

Also you should try System Restore instead of uninstalling stuff.

Run Memtest overnight and see if it's your RAM causing the problems.

BSOD's always say something, what did it say?

And a format may be the only fix, or a repair of Vista at least.

BSOD appears only half of a second, then disappears and pc restarts, so I can't read anything. I don't think it's a hardware problem, but I'll run memtest this night anyways.

@Habboi: The PC sometimes freezes on boot, after BIOS screen. Were can I find the "reset to factory settings" option?

PS. Now I can't open windows on normal mode, so I'm on safe mode.

Here's the email I got when I had similar problems:

To resolve the issue, you may consider restoring the computer back to factory settings by performing the steps below:

NOTE: Factory restore would restore your computer software to the original state in which it was shipped to you from Dell, including:

Microsoft Windows Operating system.
Dell-provided utilities and software.
Drivers for all hardware included in the original shipment.
All default settings.

Restore does NOT restore any changes made after you first received the computer, including:

Any programs you installed.
Any Windows or other software updates you installed.
Your user data (such as files, folders, e-mails, and documents).
Drivers for hardware added post-factory.
Your settings.

NOTE: Please back up all important date before restoriing to facotry settings.

• Turn on the computer.

• As the computer starts, press F8 key on the keyboard until the Advanced Boot Options menu appears on the screen.

Note: You must press F8 before the Windows logo appears on the screen. If you press F8 after the Windows logo appears on the screen, the Advanced Boot Options menu will not appear on the screen. If you do not see the Advanced Boot Options menu, restart the computer, and then repeat this step until you see the menu on the screen.

• Press the <Down Arrow> on the keyboard to select Repair Your Computer on the Advanced Boot Options menu, and then press <Enter>.

• Specify the language settings that you want, and then click Next.

• Log in as a user who has administrative credentials, and then click OK.

• Click Dell Factory Image Restore.

• In the Dell Factory Image Restore window, click Next.

• Click to select the Yes, reformat hard drive and restore system software to factory condition check box.

• Click Next.

The computer is restored to the default factory configuration.

• When the restore operation is completed, click Finish to restart the computer.

NOTE: In case you do not want to restore the computer back to factory settings, please reboot the system to Windows Vista Recovery Environment (WinRE) and run Startup Repair by performing the steps given below:

• Restart the computer.

• Tap the F8 key during startup until the Windows Advanced Options menu appears.

If the Windows Advanced Options menu does not appear, restart the computer, and try again.

• Press the <Down Arrow> key until Repair Your Computer is highlighted, and press the <Enter> key.

The System Recovery Options window appears.

• Click to select your language, and click Next.

• Log in as a user with administrative rights, and click OK.

The Windows Vista Recovery Environment appears.

• From the Choose a recovery tool menu, click Startup Repair.

Startup Repair proceeds to check the system for issues and resolve them.

• Once completed, click Finish.

• Click Restart.

NOTE: PC restore or Startup repair should resolve the issue. So, you do not need to use the Vista DVD disk.

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to assist you.

Thank you again for contacting Dell XPS Hardware E-Support.

Hope that helps!

Erm, that's kinda Dell specific.

Turn off Automatically restart after system failure. Hopefully that'll allow you to check out the BSOD. To do this:

My Computer > Properties > Advanced > Starup and Recovery Settings > Untick "Automatically restart"

Those are the instructions for XP btw, so it'll probably be different of Failsta. You'll have to look for something similar.

Just boot XP, sheesh.

Hmm..
jaguar is looking quite attractive now
too bad it's a mac

Do you mean Leopard? Jaguar is rather old.

I definitely going to install XP because I can't enter even on secure mode :S

At least I'll have more FPS on XP than Vista. I've got legal XP on another PC, do you know if I can get the XP updates on my PC too?

You need to crack Windows Genuine Advantage and change your CD key.
I'll write and PM you a walkthrough soon.
Is it Home or Pro edition?

It?s windows home edition

PM away!

Thanks a lot potatis! gonna try it on 2 hours.

I'm trying to format it and it seems to get blocked at 0%, because I've left it like 1 hour ago and it's still at 0%

Ok, finally it's installed. And I loled so much when windows told me to registry the product, and it activated it with no cracks lol.

Yes, but your updates may stop working soon, if you run Windows Update on two computers running XP with the same key.

Well, I already have SP2 so I'm happy =)