It is possible that at some point during using your computer that Windows Vista will be unable to boot. Corruption, viruses and failing hard drives can all cause this, but fortunately Windows Vista can auto-diagnose and fix most problems quite easily.

First, insert the Vista DVD into the computer and restart it (to start the boot process). You will be asked to press any key to boot from the DVD:

Then, fill in the language and location options and click Next:

Now, click Repair your Computer:

Then, select your Vista partition and click Next:

Click Startup Repair from the next menu:

This will launch an automated process to see if there are any problems which may prevent Windows Vista from loading. Your PC may reboot several times during this test, helping the software to detect any faults. If the problem can be fixed, Vista will try to repair the drive and then reboot your PC.

Some Windows Vista users have been getting an error stating “Windows host process (rundll32) has stopped working”. If you have the Nero burning software installed, it could be this that is causing the problem.

Browse to the following directory using Windows Explorer:

C:\Program Files\Common Files\Ahead\DSFilter\

Then rename the following items (if they exist) from .ax to .old, as this will prevent them from being accessed:

• NeVideo.ax
• NeroVideoProc.ax
• lmpgspl.ax

This will prevent some of the Nero codecs from rendering video thumbnails, which is most likely the cause of the problem.

Microsoft are now offering free installation and compatibility support to all Windows Vista SP1 customers, until 18th March 2009.

Some people that have upgraded to the latest Service Pack 1 update have had problems with software incompatibility and buggy drivers. Thankfully this new Microsoft support offering will offer free Telephone, E-Mail and Online chat to help users get SP1 working properly.

Visit the Microsoft Support page to get support if you are experiencing problems.

Hours of operation for phone/chat are as follows:

Hours for Chat (Pacific Time)
Monday - Friday : 5:00 A.M. - 9:00 P.M.
Saturday : 6:00 A.M. - 3:00 P.M.
Sunday : 6:00 A.M. - 3:00 P.M.

Hours for Phone (Pacific Time)
Monday - Friday : 5:00 A.M. - 9:00 P.M.
Saturday - Sunday : 6:00 A.M. - 3:00 P.M.

So Hurry up…