I back up to two seperate HDD's, one external, daily so I was able to recover most of my data. Thank you for your attempt to help.
Microsoft needs to be criticized heavily for issuing an OS that is so disrespectful of exisiting software drivers, and it's OWN former OS! I have more than 500 computer clients in this area and the complaints about Vista have forced many to seek new computers with the old XP on them. That is a sorry state. Old printers don't work. the software sent with the scanners don't support Vista, beloved games don't work, etc.
Sheer arrogance on Microsoft's part is the only explanation. "We will issue the OS and the other mfg's and software companies can go pound sand", seems to be their mindset.
I attempted to use Vista Ultimate in both a 64 bit and 32 bit format. The 32 bit had possibilities but not the 64 bit. The 64 bit cannot even load Adobe Flash Player. Apparently Adobe does not have a 64 bit driver.
Even the 32 bit was extremely skittish. After two days of searching and loading Vista drivers and getting green lights on the device drivers, I got messages like " Local Active Permission" needs to close or cannot load": or, " Com service app w clsid processor is missing": or, "Open component services administration tool to correct LRPC". When faced with messages like these the average computer user asks, "why did I ever leave XP"?
I won't make the mistake again. As to the rumor Microsoft is withdrawing support of XP in order to force everyone to Vista. I assure you many will go to Linux or still not go to Vista.
An OS is only good if the average user can use it seemlessly
.