This means that Windows crashes while trying to load a filter driver (which is still written in the registry reffering to a file that no longer exists on the disk since the software that created it (Acronis) has already been removed. What we have to do now is to remove from registry this entry that reffers to a non existent file and help Windows load.
Bellow are the steps to follow in order to do that:
- Insert your Windows Vista DVD and boot up to the DVD boot menu.
- Press OK to get past the language settings.
- Choose Repair Computer.
- Choose cancel at System Restore
- Choose Command Prompt.
- Enter "regedit" without the quotes.
- Highlight HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE (HKLM) in the left pane.
- Go to the File menu and choose Load Hive.
- Navigate to the drive where Vista is installed (C: in most of the cases). Step down to C:\Windows\System32\Config. Choose the "System" file (with no extension). Click OPEN.
- In the next window name the hive "Broken System" without the quotes.
- Hit the plus next to HKLM. You will see a key named " Broken System".
- Drill down to HKLM\Broken System\ControlSet001\Control\Class\{4D36E967-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}.
- Look in the right pane for an Upper Filters line. If you see "snapman" without the quotes, you need to delete it.
- Only delete snapman by using the Modify on the Edit menu entry. Make sure you do not delete any other Upper Filters in the list.
- You should also check HKLM\Remote System\ControlSet001\Control\Class\{71A27CDD-812A-11D0-BEC7-08002BE2092F} for Upper Filter entries. If you see "snapman" remove it from there as well.
- Now unload the Remote System hive. Highlight it in the left pane. Go to the File menu and choose Unload Hive. This will save the changes in the Vista registry.
- Exit the command prompt and hit Restart...
Cheers...for now!!!!
