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Windows Vista computer will not boot to Safe Mode, and says Open Service Control Manager

I have a Vista workstation that when I try to boot to Safe Mode, it reboots just when files are just about loaded. It will boot to production mode but I cannot get to the internet. When I try to run diagnostics it says to open Service Control Manager. Services opens, but not sure what to look for. I connected hard drive to another computer (as a slave drive) and ran Malwarebytes. It found only low risk issues. Any ideas what is causing these issues?

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John

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syssolut

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I ran SFC /SCANNOW, but it did not work. Doesn't Vista have a repair similar to XP where it will re-install just the Windows files without destroying any files/pictures, and you don't need to restore to an earlier point in time?

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nobus

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John

Vista's repair procedure is not the same as XP and you should for sure back up first before repairing. However, when you load the Vista DVD, you should see a Repair option and if it works, it will leave programs and data intact.

syssolut

ASKER

I tried repair, but that doesn't do anything. I tried restore, that at least got the computer back onto the internet for now, but in the near future computer is going to have to be completely re-installed or upgrade to Win 7/8. Thanks for suggestions

John

@syssolut - Thanks for the update and I was happy to assist. Vista is pretty much dead (although I have a working Vista virtual machine). Upgrading to Windows 8.1 makes sense at this point.