#1: Use a Windows startup disk
#2: Use Last Known Good Configuration
#3: Use System Restore
#4: Use Recovery Console
#5: Fix a corrupt Boot.ini
#6: Fix a corrupt partition boot sector
#7: Fix a corrupt master boot record
#8: Disable automatic restart
#9: Restore from a backup
#10: Perform an in-place upgrade
Via: 10 Things from Tech Republic

• Tip 10: Halt background services to improve performance.
• Tip 9: Increase available disk space by scaling back System Restore.
• Tip 8: Scrub your hard drive clean.
• Tip 7: Run two displays on the same PC.
• Tip 6: Force unresponsive applications to close at shutdown.
• Tip 5: Automatically optimize your hard drive.
• Tip 4: Set a custom resolution.
• Tip 3: Stay on top of registry changes.
• Tip 2: Recover lost data.
• Tip 1: Automatically log when and why shutdowns have occurred.
Source: networkcomputing