Vista Bluescreen Then No Operating System Found

From Help. It would be nice to know who is sending that message "No OS Found".

You may need a DVD to do these steps. 

Start your computer in safe mode

Safe mode starts Windows with a limited set of files and drivers. Startup programs do not run in safe mode, and only the basic drivers needed to start Windows are installed.

Safe mode is useful for troubleshooting problems with programs and drivers that might not start correctly, or that might prevent Windows from starting correctly. If a problem does not reappear when you start in safe mode, you can eliminate the default settings and basic device drivers as possible causes. If a recently installed program, device, or driver prevents Windows from running correctly, you can start your computer in safe mode and then remove the program that is causing the problem.

1. 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.

1. Do one of the following:
   • If your computer has a single operating system installed, repeatedly press the F8 key as your computer restarts. You need to press F8 before the Windows logo appears. If the Windows logo appears, you will need to try again.
   • If your computer has more than one operating system, use the arrow keys to highlight the operating system you want to start in safe mode, and then press F8.
2. On the Advanced Boot Options screen, use the arrow keys to highlight the safe mode option you want, and then press ENTER. For more information about options, see Advanced startup options (including safe mode).
3. Log on to your computer with a user account that has administrator rights.

When your computer is in safe mode, you'll see the words Safe Mode in the corners of the display. To exit safe mode, restart your computer and let Windows start normally.

Advanced startup options (including safe mode)

The Advanced Boot Options menu lets you start Windows in advanced troubleshooting modes. You can access the menu by turning on your computer and pressing the F8 key before Windows starts.

Some options, such as safe mode, start Windows in a limited state, where only the bare essentials are started. If a problem does not reappear when you start in safe mode, you can eliminate the default settings and basic device drivers as possible causes. Other options start Windows with advanced features intended for use by system administrators and IT professionals. For more information, go to the Microsoft website for IT professionals.

 Repair your computer

Shows a list of system recovery tools you can use to repair startup problems, run diagnostics, or restore your system. This option is available only if the tools are installed on your computer's hard disk. If you have a Windows installation disc, the system recovery tools are located on the installation disc. For more information, see Startup Repair: frequently asked questions.

 Safe mode

Starts Windows with a minimal set of drivers and services. For more information, see What is safe mode?

 Safe mode with networking

Starts Windows in safe mode and includes the network drivers and services needed to access the Internet or other computers on your network.

 Safe mode with command prompt

Starts Windows in safe mode with a command prompt window instead of the usual Windows interface. This option is intended for IT professionals and administrators.

 Enable boot logging

Creates a file, ntbtlog.txt, that lists all the drivers that are installed during startup and that might be useful for advanced troubleshooting.

 Enable low resolution video (640 × 480)

Starts Windows using your current video driver and using low resolution and refresh rate settings. You can use this mode to reset your display settings. For more information, see Change screen resolution and Correct monitor flicker (refresh rate).

 Last Known Good Configuration (advanced)

Starts Windows with the last registry and driver configuration that worked successfully. For more information, see Using Last Known Good Configuration.

 Directory services restore mode

Starts Windows domain controller running Active Directory so that the directory service can be restored. This option is intended for IT professionals and administrators.

 Debugging mode

Starts Windows in an advanced troubleshooting mode intended for IT professionals and system administrators.

 Disable automatic restart on system failure

Prevents Windows from automatically restarting if an error causes Windows to fail. Choose this option only if Windows is stuck in a loop where Windows fails, attempts to restart, and fails again repeatedly.

 Disable Driver Signature Enforcement

Allows drivers containing improper signatures to be installed.

 Start Windows normally

Starts Windows in its normal mode.

See also

• What is safe mode?
• Start your computer in safe mode
• Diagnostic tools to use in safe mode

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What are the system recovery options in Windows Vista?

The System Recovery Options menu in this version of Windows contains several tools that can help you recover Windows from a serious error. You can perform repairs to the files that Windows uses to start itself, perform a restore operation using System Restore, and restore your entire computer and system files using backups that you have made previously.

The System Recovery Options menu is on the Windows installation disc. (The menu might also be installed on your hard disk if your computer has preinstalled recovery options.)

Note

• If your computer does not include the System Recovery Options menu, your computer manufacturer might have provided other recovery options. Check the information that came with your computer or go to the manufacturer's website for more information.

 To access the System Recovery Options menu

If you have a Windows installation disc:

1. Insert the installation disc.
2. Restart your computer.

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

1. If prompted, press any key to start Windows from the installation disc. If your computer is not configured to start from a CD or DVD, check the information that came with your computer.
2. Choose your language settings, and then click Next.
3. Click Repair your computer.
4. Select the operating system you want to repair, and then click Next.
5. On the System Recovery Options menu, click a tool to open it.

If your computer has preinstalled recovery options:

1. 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.

1. Do one of the following:
   • If your computer has a single operating system installed, press and hold the F8 key as your computer restarts. You need to 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 your 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 press and hold F8.
2. On the Advanced Boot Options screen, use the arrow keys to highlight Repair your computer, and then press ENTER.
3. Select a keyboard layout, and then click Next.
4. Select a user name and enter the password, and then click OK.
5. On the System Recovery Options menu, click a tool to open it.

To reinstall Windows

If you want to reinstall Windows with a clean installation—possibly to restore the default Windows settings—here's how to do it. (If you're having a problem with Windows, first see What to do if Windows won't start correctly, which explains how to use the Windows installation disc to fix problems without completely reinstalling Windows.)

Warning

• Back up your files before you begin reinstalling Windows, even if you're reinstalling Windows on a hard disk partition. A clean installation replaces the current version of Windows and also erases all personal files.

1. Turn on your computer, insert the Windows Vista DVD or CD, and then restart your computer. If you are asked to press a key to start (or "boot") from DVD or CD, press any key. When the Install Windows page appears, go to step 2.

If the Install Windows page does not appear and you're not asked to press a key to start from a CD or DVD, you might have to specify that your computer use its DVD or CD drive as the startup device. This means that you need to set the DVD or CD drive to the first startup device in the basic input/output system (BIOS). To learn how to do this, see Start Windows from a CD or DVD. After you have selected your DVD or CD drive as the startup device, restart your computer, and then start Windows from the installation DVD or CD as previously described.

1. On the Install Windows page, follow any instructions that might appear, and then click Install now.
2. On the Get important updates for installation page, we recommend getting the latest updates to help ensure a successful installation and help protect your computer against security threats. You will need an Internet connection to get installation updates.
3. On the Type your product key for activation page, we strongly recommend that you type your 25-character product key to help avoid problems during activation.
4. On the Please read the license terms page, if you accept the license terms, click I accept the license terms.
5. Follow the instructions on each page. On the Which type of installation do you want? page, click Custom.
6. On the Where do you want to install Windows? page, click Drive options (advanced). Select the partition where you want to install Windows, and then click Format. This erases all files on the selected partition, so you can install Windows on a clean partition.
7. When the format is complete, select the partition you just formatted as the place where you want to install Windows, and then click Next to begin the installation. You might see a compatibility report.
8. Follow the instructions.

Note

• Be sure to enable existing, or install new, antivirus software after the installation is complete.

See also

Log File %WINDIR%\System32\LogFiles\Srt\SrtTrail.txt

 When I was a Systems Administer some years ago for our CMIS system I could always go in a back door to recover data apparently lost. Does anyone have any ideas? Would greatly appreciate it.

 

Hi,

How to save your Data before you reinstall.