Ci.dll error - startup repair not working

My computer restarted itself last night (think it was after an update)
when it restarted there was a black screen saying that windows could
not restart and a Ci.dll error.

I have tried using the dvd that came with my vista upgrade and have
run startup repair. I left it running overnight but it was still
running this morning. Thinking it had crashed, I did the process
again, but still nothing.

Now I cant access the other repair methods i.e. system restore as it
keeps going straight to the startup repair screen.

It wont start in safemode.

I have also downloaded another vista repair disc thinking that maybe
mine was corrupt, but I get the same thing.

Any ideas?? Bit worried because all my photos and documents are on
there and i havent backed them up!

If I take it to a computer shop, any idea how much they will charge to
get the data off and do a clean install?


Please, please help!

teresathorne.cut RemoveThis @tiscali.co.uk wrote:

> My computer restarted itself last night (think it was after an update)
> when it restarted there was a black screen saying that windows could
> not restart and a Ci.dll error.
>
> I have tried using the dvd that came with my vista upgrade and have
> run startup repair. I left it running overnight but it was still
> running this morning. Thinking it had crashed, I did the process
> again, but still nothing.
>
> Now I cant access the other repair methods i.e. system restore as it
> keeps going straight to the startup repair screen.
>
> It wont start in safemode.
>
> I have also downloaded another vista repair disc thinking that maybe
> mine was corrupt, but I get the same thing.
>
> Any ideas?? Bit worried because all my photos and documents are on
> there and i havent backed them up!
>
> If I take it to a computer shop, any idea how much they will charge to
> get the data off and do a clean install?

Scroll down to the middle of the page and you'll see an excellent
explanation of Ci.dll by Ed Bott.

[URL="http://www.windowsbbs.com/windows-vista/65990-bsod-startup-ci-dll-missing-corrupt.html"]http://www.windowsbbs.com/windows-vista/65990-bsod-startup-ci-dll-missing-corrupt.html[/URL]

Unfortunately, it doesn't sound like you're going to be able to do Mr.
Bott's fixes. You can get your data off even though you can't boot into
Windows. The easiest way is to pull the hard drive, put it in a USB
external drive enclosure, and connect that to a working computer. Copy your
data onto the working machine's hard drive. If you have the ability to do
this, I suggest doing this now. If you don't have the extra equipment or
feel uncomfortable about doing data recovery, definitely choose a shop that
can do this for you. I don't recommend using a BigComputerStore/GeekSquad
type of place.

It sounds to me as though you're going to need a clean install (or return to
factory condition if you have an OEM machine). Someone more clever than I
might have a better idea for you as far as fixing the error. As for how
much a shop will charge, there is no way for me to answer you. It really
depends on the going rate where you live. To give you a rough idea, I
normally charge $100 for a clean install of Windows (which includes
applying any Service Packs, updates, and installing a complement of free
programs). Data retrieval costs depend on how long it takes me and I charge
$40/hr. So a clean install and retrieving ~ 20GB of data would probably run
my client $140. But I don't live in a big market like Los Angeles or New
York City and my prices are reasonable for here. I don't know what is
reasonable for your location. Get some recommendations from family and
friends and call around first.

When this is all over, buy an external hard drive (I like Western Digital
MyBooks) and Acronis True Image. You can then image your system and do
incremental backups regularly. In addition to that, if you have the normal
amount of data as a home user would, you should periodically burn your data
to DVD-R and put those disks in a safe place. If you have tons of data then
instead of burning to DVD-R look into an off-site backup service such as
Mozy.

Malke