Repair Vista without a CD - how it works

If there are problems under Windows Vista that cannot be repaired with normal means such as a system restore, the recovery CD is required. Since many users no longer have a Windows CD, the corresponding image can be downloaded from the Internet. We'll show you how it works and how to fix Vista.

Repair Vista without CD using System Restore

• If you can still access the PC, first try to perform a system restore. You can read how this works in this practical tip.
• Only if this does not help should you follow the instructions for repair using the recovery disc. You must first download the appropriate image file and burn it to CD.

Step 1: Burn Recovery CD

If you still have the original DVD, go directly to step 2. Otherwise, follow these instructions:

• Download the recovery file from Microsoft.
• When the download is complete, open the downloaded file and install the included program. The small tool then places an ISO file on your desktop. Now you have to burn them to a CD. If you have already installed a burning program, use this. Otherwise we recommend the "CDBurnerXP". We explain the burning process for this program:
• Download the "CDBurnerXP" and install it. Once the program has started, click the "Burn ISO Image" button. Now click on the "Browse" button and select the path of the ISO file. Finally, create the CD using the "Burn medium" button.
• When the burning process is complete, insert the CD into the drive of your computer and shut it down.

Step 2: start recovery center

To use the recovery CD, your computer must be set up to start the CD first and then Windows. Switch on the PC and start the recovery CD directly, continue with step 3. If Windows starts normally, follow these instructions:

1. Start your computer and you will see a message at the very beginning of the screen on how to access the BIOS menu. Depending on the manufacturer, you usually have to press the "F2", "F8", "F10", or "DEL" keys.
2. If you are in the BIOS menu, you will usually find the menu item "Boot" at the top.
3. Select the "Boot Device Priority" item here.
4. Set the "CD-ROM" to start before the "Hard Drive".
5. You can now exit the BIOS. Your computer will then restart and boot from the CD.

Step 3: repair Vista using the recovery center

1. It now takes a moment for the recovery center to load. Click on "Next" in the lower right corner of the start screen.
2. At the bottom left you will now see the "Computer Repair Options" item. Choose this.
3. Here you have several options to choose from (see picture). If you want to repair your system, you should start with the "System repair" option and continue with the "Windows memory diagnostics". You can also perform a simple "system restore" or a "system image restore".
4. Select one of the options and follow the further instructions. However, please note that after a recovery, all of your data that you have created or changed after this time will disappear.