Boot issues with Vista

[GenericName]

Hello, I'm getting an error every time I go to start up my 'backup' computer. It goes into Windows Boot Manager every time with the following info:

File: \windows\system32\drivers\ecache.cyc

Status: 0xc00000e9

Info: Windows failed to load because a critical system driver is missing, or corrupt.

I'm not sure if this is Vista Ultimate, Home, etc, or exactly how much RAM this computer has. It's a Toshiba Portege.

I have had it for a couple years, got it second hand, and don't have any of the original stuff that goes with it. I've been thinking of doing a clean 7 install to bring it up to speed, since there's nothing of use on it. How can I wipe the hard drive if I can't even boot into safe mode? Any help is appreciated.

[catgate]

Download one of the free live CD partition managers (Gparted, Super Fdisk).
/>http://gparted.sourceforge.net/livecd.php
/>http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/Hard-Disk-Utils/Super-Fdisk-Bootable-CD.shtml

[GenericName]

So what exactly am I going to do with that once it's downloaded?

Thanks for the quick reply.

[alexpwnsn0b2]

you don't necessarily have to get into safe mode to format and install windows 7. All you have to do is get into the BIOS setting and change the boot sequence so that your CD/DVD drive is the first thing to boot up. Insert your Windows 7 CD and follow the instructions.

[Vendetta]

when booting windows at the bios press f8 untill yout get a option that says repair windows then windows satrtup repair will check windows for problems/fails