right well im running mac now so im all good, but my flat mates laptop is behaving very strange.

hes running vista, when it starts up it goes to a screen called windows boot manager.

it states that a possible software change has caused a problem, to fix it it says

1. insert your windows instillation disc
2. choose your language setting
3. click "repair your computer"

the problem is it doesnt get past the first step. the repair process wont start, it wont even open up in safe mode, which i find bizzare, it basically does nothing.

it also displays

File: \windows\system32\drivers\intelide.sys

status: 0xc0000098

info: windows failed to load because a critical system driver is missing or corrupt

can anyone help my distressed freind

cheers

Cheeks:
Thats a windows system file and would assume that something nasty has buggered with that file.

I'd suggest using the above pinned repairs and let us know how it goes.

what is the "about pinned repairs" thats new to me.

Go to Operating Systems on the forum, and check on Windows Vista:
Click to view attachment

then click on the pinned Vista repairs subject.
Click to view attachment

the basic problem (aside from the computer being buggered) is that the vista dvd does not autorun once inserted. So, the only options available are the safe mode boot options that dont even work. what can i do about that?

Do you know how to boot to your BIOS....? If not, what brand / model computer do you have?

problem solved, thanks for your time.