How to Fix Windows Vista Blank Blue Screen

When upgrading an operating system, there are many things that can occur to give you some kind of system error. Microsoft Windows Vista has been maligned by some computer technicians for having a large amount of bugs; one of the most famous is a blank blue screen nicknamed "The Blue Screen of Death." This is usually a problem that is repairable, but there can be many different causes for your blue screen.


Instructions

1. Restart your computer by hitting "Ctrl"-"Alt"-"Del" twice; if your keyboard is disabled, hold down your "Power" switch for 10 seconds or so to turn the computer off and then turn it back on. When your computer boots back up, hit the "F8" key over and over until an option screen comes up.
2. Choose "Safe Mode without Networking" from the menu and then "Start." If your computer starts up with a desktop and without the blue screen, you can assume the cause of the blue screen is a driver for the operating system. Move on to Step 3. If there is still a blue screen, you may need to replace your RAM; see Warnings.
3. Click on the Start menu and type "ipconfig" in the search prompt. Double click on "ipconfig" and then on the "Startup" tab. Click "Disable All" and then restart your computer in regular mode. If there is no blue screen, the problem may be one of your startup items; move on to Step 4. If there is still a blue screen, move on to Step 5.
4. Go back to ipconfig and try adding one startup item at a time and then restarting your computer. If you receive a blue screen after adding a particular startup item, you can pinpoint that program as the problem. Keep testing until you determine which item has caused your blue screen and keep that item disabled for the future.
5. Restart your computer and hit the "F8" key as described in Step 1. Click "Enable VGA mode" from the menu. When you start your computer, go to "Start," "Control Panel," "Personalization" and then "Display Properties." Lower your screen resolution one or multiple settings lower (for example, if it is 1,280 by 800, try lowering it to 800 by 600). Restart your computer in regular mode. If it works, you can assume that your resolution was too high for your monitor. If you still have a blue screen, move on to Step 6.
6. Repair faulty system files on your machine by using a system scan. Start your computer in Safe Mode again. Click "Start," "All Programs" and Accessories." Right-click "Command Prompt" and select "Run as administrator."
7. Type the following into the command prompt "SFC [/SCANNOW] [/VERIFYONLY] [/SCANFILE=<file>] [/VERIFYFILE=<file>] [/OFFWINDIR=<offline windows directory> /OFFBOOTDIR=<offline boot directory]. Hit "Enter" and then type "sfc /scannow". This will search and repair faulty files. Restart your computer in normal mode.

Tips & Warnings

If your computer is relatively new and still under warranty, it may be worth your time to skip these steps and let your manufacturer's technical support department handle the problem.

Installing your own RAM is a very difficult task and it is only recommended for those well-versed in repairing a computer. There are instructions on the Foner Books site (see References).