How to Fix Errors when Loading Windows

When loading or booting a Windows operating system, there are many things that can go wrong. If you happen to get an error number or warning number, find specific instructions to fix this problem in the Microsoft Support Center at http://support.microsoft.com/.

Otherwise try these tips to see if they solve your problem. These steps are progresively more and more intense; they represent the methods that can ensure resetting erroneous configurations. Before trying any of these, we recommend doing some simple maintenance that may solve a boot-up error or other on-loading error in Windows.  Visit here to see some of the best way to assess your system for errors and clean it up. 

Try a System Restore

1. Start your computer in safe mode


To do this, boot your system and push F8.  This will launch an options menu where you can opt to start Windows in Safe mode.  This mode prevents web communication and also stops non-essential processes from running. 


2. From the main menu, open the control panel

3. Open the backup and restore center

4. Open system restore mode and follow the prompts to restore your computer to a time when it ran correctly

When Windows installs normally, it's automatically set to make restore points at certain junctures.  The good thing about windows restore is that is does not revert your documents or other private data; it leaves those alone and only works to restore system functions.

Try to do a Start Up Repair

If system restore does't work, then try start up repair. In most cases Start up repair is located on one of the disks that came with your computer when you purchased it, namely a Windows Restore disk or a Windows Install disk.

1. Insert the disk with startup repair

2. Start your computer in safe mode

3. Make choices for language, etc. as prompted

4. Choose Start up repair

5. Answer the questions and allow your computer to restart as necessary as start up repair runs through its options and attempts to repair your computer.

Reinstall Windows

Needless to say this is a drastic step. It means erasing all of the data and settings of your current setup. Reinstalling your OS may be dire, but it's certainly a valid option when facing debilitating errors. Before you begin, be sure to back up all of the data, documents and media off of your computer.

If your computer is a single hard drive or is older, you may have to install the operating system from the disks that came with your computer when you purchased it. Keep in mind that this option is a last effort, and will wipe your hard drives clean. Be sure to always back up any files that are important to you using a flash drive, CD, or external hard drive.

1. Turn on your computer and insert Windows Operating System disks


2. Follow instructions and click install now.


3. Get important updates when prompted to do so.


4. When asked, type in the product key, which should be on your disks.


5. Read and accept the terms of the Windows License.


6. Click on custom install when asked what kind of install you would like to perform


7. Choose where you want to install the operating system, generally people opt for the C drive


8. Click next and follow instructions to ensure proper installation.


9. When given the choice to format a partition, you need to format that partition on which your install is going, usually that C drive.  Formatting is the part that erases all of the data of your old setup, but it's a necessary step to keep the new install working correctly. 

Keep in mind that reinstalling a Windows operating system can take up to an hour to fully run. Please be patient during this process.