Windows Vista Registry Repair?

[YinYangBoy]

Dear all,

I have a serious problem with my Windows Vista Home Premium 32-bit OS (SP2 installed).

It all started when my CD/DVD-Drive was not recognised anymore in Windows Explorer, Windows Device-Manager and even BIOS. This problem was caused by Audiograbber Software Installation & Use.

It is a known bug in Vista. Microsoft has set up an automatic "Fix-this" utility. Or can choose to manually fix the problem. This includes deleting some Registry Entries (UpperFilter and LowerFilter), which are responsible for Disc-Drive control in Vista.

As the automatic fix did not work for me I decided to manually delete Upperfilter and Lowerfilter Registry Entries (without making a backup prior). I screwed it all up! The consequence: Vista-Startup got stuck in bluescreen/restart loop.

The automatic Windows startup repair could not fix the problem. I tried every entry in the F8 Boot Menu without success, even Safe Mode and "start from last known working configuration" won't work.

Unfortunately I havn't set any system restore points or backup (I disabled Vista Restore and backup Center to free up much needed HD space).

The only working thing I can access from F8 Boot Menu is the old MS-Dos Console (also Command prompt).

Acer did not supply any Windows Recovery Disc or Vista installation Disc with my notebook, Vista was preinstalled as OEM software.

So, what can I do now to fix this serious problem? Is there any possibility to repair the registry, maybe with a special program like Registry Mechanic 9? And is this possible from the MS-Dos Console?

Is it possible to import a working registry from another Vista System?

Fortunately I saved my personal data to another partition.

For OEM/System-Builder Software Support, Microsoft charges 75 euro (approx. 80 dollar) !!! :eek:

OEM-Software-Support is handled exclusively by the computer-manufacturer, in my case, Acer.

So I contacted Acer Support for my problem. They did not even reply !!!

I am grateful for any assistance to my problem.

Michel

<--- EDIT --->

Link to the Microsoft "Fix-It"-Tool for UpperFilter and LowerFilter related Disc-Drive problems in Vista. This page does also include a tutorial on manually editing the registry.

!!! Manually editing the registry can harm your system to the extent Windows won't startup at all. Therefore I strongly advice you not to edit/add/delete Registry Entries unless you know what you are doing !!!

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314060/en-us

Scroll down to my next post to see how the dinosaur MS-Dos Console can be a great tool, even today, to restore/edit your system when everything else won't work anymore.

<--- EDIT --->

 

[kenny111111]

hello
If you have access to a working pc with a cd/dvd drive, you can download and burn your own recovery discs..... http://neosmart.net/blog/2008/windows-vista-recovery-disc-download/

If you want to restore to factory settings, hold the alt key down, restart machine and tap the f11 key, should get you back to factory settings....good luck

PS: I think you will lose the data on the other partition.. (unless it's a different hdd)

 

[YinYangBoy]

I'm back,

I found the solution for my problem :D

I located a hidden partition on my HD labled X: where Acer stores the Recovery-Disc of my Vista.

X: is not shown in Windows Explorer, but is accessible from the MS-Dos Console.

A look in the Acer user manual gives the tools to start recovery from X:

Follow these steps:

Press ALT + F10 during Acer Logo-Flashscreen at bootup.

You are offered a choice to do a full recovery of Vista from X: or access data on a Disc.

I restored my system from X:.

Everything works fine again. My data on partitions D: and E: were not deleted :D

Thanks God now I don't have to spend a penny.

@ Kenny: Thx for your quick assistance, much appreciated. By the way, do you know where I can get Vista Service Packs 1 + 2 on Disc? The total download for SP1 + SP2 is somewhat around 1 GB. I have a Max. Data-Transfer-Limit set for my mobile internet-flat which is 5 GB for 20 euro/month. It is reached already for this month :huh: Now for every additional Data-Transfer I pay 0,10 Euro-Cent/MB. Way too much!

Greets from Luxembourg.

Michel

P.S.: On the attached Screenshot you can see how the recovery screen looks like when everything's done. Cheers

 

[kenny111111]

hello:

congrats... I don't know of any sp1 & sp2 on discs.... do you mean you have dial up?

here is a standalone version of sp1... Download details: Windows Vista Service Pack 1 Five Language Standalone (KB936330)

and here is a standalone version of sp2.... Download details: Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2 and Windows Vista Service Pack 2 - Five Language Standalone (KB948465)

But in between sp1 and sp2 i think you have to update from internet explorer 7 to IE8, to be able to install sp2.... maybe you can download over night, or a friend has high speed you can download and burn to disc...... GOOD LUCK !!

 

[YinYangBoy]

--- Post deleted by YinYangBoy --- Reason: unnecessary ---

 

[YinYangBoy]

I want to mark this thread as resolved. How can I do this?

 

[kenny111111]

So in other words it will cost around $10.00 american money, wow
If you download the standalone packages in my links and burn to disc, you will always have them and not have to download again..(if you reinstall) or a friend needs them!!

Do them at the beginning of the month, then be careful not to download too much that month... good luck

***EDIT*** I don't know how to mark it solved. (thats a good question)

 

[YinYangBoy]

@ Kenny: I edited my post above and added a Screenshot.

I want to thank you very much for your kind help.

Cu soon :D

P.S.: I upgraded my Max. Mobile-Internet-Data-Transfer-Rate.

Now I have 25GB for 30 Euro/month. YES!