Stuck in "Start Up Repair" mode

My computer has crashed.

The problem: no matter how I try, all I can do is to boot into the "Start
Up Repair" utility. I am looking for some way to bypass this utility and
get into Safe Mode or some other option to be able to repair whatever the
problem.

My system: Dell Inspiron 531s
Vista Home Basic
1.5GB Ram
80GB SATA internal hard drive
Read only CD/DVD optical drive.
500GB Maxtor OneTouch 4+ USB external hard drive (2
partitions)

Things I've tried:
Using the F8 key to choose different boot
options. The results, I always wind up in Start Up Repair Mode. Safe Mode,
LKG, Disable Automatic Restart, Start Normally, etc. all fail I just get
sent to the Start Up Repair utility.
Utilizing other options under the Start Up
Repair utility. System Repair will not restore a restore point, I have only
been able to do this successfully from Safe Mode in the past (hence the
request to help me get back to Safe Mode.
Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool reports no memory
problems.
I have not tried any other options as they
appeared that they might destroy existing files.

Using the Dell diagnostic disk. It booted fine
and all tests reported that everything was fine.
Using the original Windows Vista disk. I don't
have one, all I have is the OEM Dell reinstall OS disk. It will boot, but I
could not find any options/utilities to repair my system.
I was able to use my Acronis 11 boot repair disk
(I just bought the Maxtor and Acronis and was reading the instructions on
how to backup my drive), to boot the system and backup the system to the
Maxtor drive. The Acronis disk lets me look at the file and folder system
and everything appears to be intact.
Went to MS and found the information in the
Knowledge Base to be of no use.


Things I did shortly before the crash (don't remember if I got a successful
boot after which of these, so I'm listing them all)
Partitioned the Maxtor drive with Easus (first
time using this software).
Restored the registry with ERUNT (I have done
this successfully before).

Anomalies:
The Lexar 2GB USB drive that I keep "permantaly"
plugged in to my system has asked several times in the last two(?) weeks to
be scanned and repaired.

I am quite experienced with Windows 95,98, and 2000. I have used and
repaired XP on friends systems. But I consider myself to be little better
than a novice to the nuts & bolts of Vista.


ANY help will be greatly appreciated,
Dan Hacker


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Madness takes its toll. Please have exact change.
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