[prashant]

Advanced Boot Options in Vista

While bootup, if you press F8, you can see the Advanced Boot Options available to assist you to manage a particular problem. Understanding how each works will enable you to make an informed choice about which tool is going to get your system up and running the fastest. The choices are as follows:

1) Safe Mode: Loads a minimum driver set and set of services.

2) Safe Mode with Networking: This loads safe mode settings but also loads network connections, permits logon scripts to run, allows security settings and Group Policy settings (for system that connect to a domain) to be applied. If you know it is not a network problem that is stopping your system from booting, this mode can be helpful to allow you access to other resources and to back up your system if you haven’t done so already.

3) Safe Mode with Command Prompt: Boots up your system but with a command prompt instead of the GUI. If you believe the system will not start due to a problem regarding a process started through the Explorer shell, this prevents the Explorer shell from executing in the first place.

4) Enable Boot Logging: Creates a log file that lists all the services and drivers that load (or do not load). This log file is called Ntbtlog.txt and is located in the Windows folder. The modes listed previously also create boot logs, but this one does it without going into a safe mode.

5) Enable Low-resolution Video (640×480): This used to be called VGA mode in XP. Useful for difficulties you meet with video drivers or incorrect video display settings, it provides a standard (ugly), stable (low-resolution and refresh rates settings), VGA driver to allow you to see your screen so you can fix your difficulty.

6) Last Known Good Configuration (Advanced): The last time you logged on successfully, your Registry took a snapshot and saved it. In the event you did something to your system and it prevents you from logging in again. In that case, just use the last known good to go back in time to your last logon. However, if you are able to log in after a poor installation of a driver or service, this option will not help you in the least. So, if you know something isn’t right, don’t log in first and then see whether you are right. Instead, go with your gut feeling and last known good. It doesn’t solve problems caused by corrupted or missing drivers or files—that requires WinRE.

7) Directory Services Restore Mode: This setting applies only to domain controllers, so you don’t need this for your desktop operating system.

8) Debugging Mode: This allows Vista to send debugging information through a serial cable to another computer for troubleshooting the kernel and other analysis of the system.

9) Disable Automatic Restart on System Failure: This is useful for when your system is in a loop of restarting because it prevents the blue-screen restart loop so you can troubleshoot the cause of the problem.

10) Disable Driver Signature Enforcement: Allows drivers with improper signatures to be installed. This setting does not continue with multiple reboots. You use it; you install the driver you need; and when you reboot, the Driver Signature Enforcement is enabled again.

11) Start Windows Normally: Starts the system normally.