1. First clear all external device drives of CDs, DVDs, Floppy disks, etc. Verify that your hardware is compatible with the operating system.
2. Remove all external peripherals such as printers, faxes, cameras, network adapters, sound cards, and serial cards, other USB devices, etc.
3. Try to restart the computer. If you cannot restart it using the mouse or keyboard options, shut down the computer by pressing down the manual Power button for a few seconds. When the computer has completely shut down, press the button again to restart the computer.
4. As the computer restarts, press and hold the F8 key before the Windows Logo appears.
5. Use the arrow keys to select “Repair the computer” in the “Advanced Boot Options” menu.
6. Choose a keyboard layout and login using username and password.
7. Choose Startup Repair from the menu for “System Recovery Options”.
8. The Startup Repair process will try to repair the computer.
9. Add each device or peripheral ONE at a time and restart the system after every addition.
10. Verify that all the software updates are installed for the current Operating system as well as on all device drivers and external third party software on the system.
11. If the computer recovers and is running, then check the “Problem Reports and Solutions” page or VISTA. Click on Start->Control Panel->System and Maintenance->Problem Reports and Solutions. This facility searches online for device driver updates and solutions to problems caused by external hardware or software.
12. If Windows Vista was installed on an older computer, determine from the computer manufacturer’s website whether the BIOS setup for the old computer is compatible with Vista OS. Install updates if required.
13. If the error appears during restart (and the restart is successful in spite of the error) , set the Windows Memory Diagnostic to get more details about the problems during restart:
a. Click on Start->All Programs->Accessories. Right-click on Command-Prompt and choose “Run as administrator”
b. Enter mdshed.exe at the command prompt. Schedule the tool to run at the next restart.
14. You can also monitor and diagnose the Vista system using the Reliability and Performance Monitors to check for CPU faults and real-time monitoring of the system with the Windows performance Diagnostic Console. You will need administrator privileges to run this monitor.