Note: I don't have any repair methods for anyone using pirated versions of Vista, RC1 - RC2, beta's, or installs over old software so these methods of repair probably wouldn't work in these instances. Run the Windows Vista upgrade advisor to check your system out.

Now, [that aside] let's get to work.....

I would try to F8 to the windows advanced options menu and try the 3 safe modes there. I don't use WGA or Last Known Good, I go to win re in Vista and that gives you a choice of Safe mode, Safe mode with networking and Safe mode with command prompt. The safe mode cmd prompt is:

%systemroot%\system32\restore\rstrui.exe

Reason being, one of these offerings might work when the other one doesn't.

Note: a problem is emerging in vista that MS knows about, it does not seem to have the same success rate that a repair install from the "genuine" media did in XP.

OK, nothing worked so far.... right? Let's move on with a basic Vista startup repair:

1] Insert Vista DVD.

2] Vista logo setup screen after lang. with options in the lower left corner, a link called "System recovery options."

3] Select your OS for repair.

Note: at this point, you might even see some causes of the crash from the win re feature:

4] Now, you'll have a choice there of using:

1] Startup repair
2] System restore
3] Complete pc restore
4] Memory test tool
5] Command prompt

Select 'Startup repair' and it will start checking for potential problems to see why the system failed to boot by grinding through the following
questions:

Is the problem a missing or damaged boot configuration file?
Is the problem due to missing or damaged system files?
Is it due to a missing or damaged driver? An incompatible driver? An incompatible OS update?

In all of these cases, if a problem is found, the system will attempt to correct the problem either by restoring a file using a cache of files (for example, a corrupted driver file), using a system restore point, or recreating a database using other data (such as rebuilding a registry hive or the file system). The system will also detect and report a bad hard disk or bad memory, but given that these are hardware issues, Vista can't do much to fix them.

If it finds problems, it will attempt to repair them... and will prompt you to click "Finish" to complete the repair, so do it.

Now the repair details screen will appear. Click "Close" and your computer will reboot, and if windows was successful then you should see the desktop or login screen.

I will have to admit that my install of Vista hasn't needed to be repaired yet, and I have thrown a lot of stuff at it, enough to have crashed it a few times. Having said that, it has done some repairs on it's own but has never stalled or quit.

OK, if it isn't fixed by now, restore your backup image. You do have a backup image, don't you? ............. :-)

I've found some hard to find Vista drivers at this site, but please tell me know if you hear anything bad so I/we can edit this out.
http://www.radarsync.com/vista/vista_more.php?result=0

MORE Stuff about Vista !!!

Installing Vista Clean using an Upgrade DVD:

Only if you have an upgrade DVD and want to do a fresh installation --- you can, BUT you'll just need to take a few extra steps to accomplish it....

Start by booting the computer using the Vista upgrade DVD. Select the 'Install Now' option, but don't enter the Product Key (leave it blank) and deselect the option to automatically activate. Setup will ask you to confirm that you want to install without a product key entered and say yes --- this is what you want to do. Now setup does not know what edition you are installing, so you'll need to tell it so tell it the correct edition you have the upgrade (you will not be able to trick it, so choose the correct edition). Now, you'll get to choose the type of install and you actually want to choose ""Custom (Advanced)"" install and not the ""Upgrade "" install. At this point Vista will copy all the files and do some rebooting. When it is done, you will want to restart the installation process so you can apply your upgrade properly by rebooting the computer to the Vista upgrade DVD a second time. Click ""Install Now"" and ensure the option to check for updates now is deselected. Now you can go ahead and enter your Vista product key (and again deselect the option to automatically activate). This time, choose the type of install you are performing correctly as ""Upgrade"" -- now, this will be doing a proper upgrade. At this time, you may be asked ---- if you wish to boot from the DVD again, you can just wait a few seconds here and the setup process will continue on its own (no interaction should be required). When it is done, go ahead and activate your copy of Vista (as you'll need to within 30 days anyway -- unless you choose to extend the default 30 day period).

To extend the activation period:

Goto your start menu and enter cmd and press enter. In the command prompt, type in
slmgr -rearm
It will take about 20 seconds (or so) but will bring up a message telling you to reboot. Reboot your computer and check the time left by going to your system properties and "Now" you will notice that it now says 30 days again. You may do this three times to reset it to 30 days. To get all 120 days, only run the command when there is one day left to activate.

Later!!