Vista Corrupt...Should I Upgrade?

Dyrnwyn

Member
Hey all,

Had a boot record error earlier today...after much reading I got my system to boot again (boots fine in safe mode). But about 45 seconds into a non-safe mode boot I am getting a registry error BSOD. I am considering trying to reinstall windows as an upgrade (to preserve files) but the disc I have is SP 1 and the current OS is SP2. So my questions are:

Would an upgrade install of vista work to fix the problem?

Should I just go get Windows 7 and upgrade the whole thing, which would hopefully give me a fresh start?

Thanks
 

My Computer

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There is no right and wrong, the answer is subjective.
If it were me I would use Ubuntu to save my stuff and go with Seven.
I had Visa and now have Seven, I truly like it. We can save your stuff with Ubuntu.
http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/wind...backup-files-from-your-dead-windows-computer/
We can then buy an upgade 7 and actaully do a clean install just like the full cost DVD.

I can get you going with what you have. I will give you a BSOD analysis and a boot DVD if needed, but at the end you have the same old Vista.

You can get an upgrade Home Premium Seven for under 150.00. If these tough times did not leave you short of cash, what a nice way to start the new year.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1649-clean-install-windows-7-a.html

Others may come by and give you another scenario, but it comes out the same.
We can try to save what you have, but then you have an OS that will disappear shortly or go with Seven.

A clean install of seven with formatting will get rid of all problems even malware etc.

We will be here for whatever you decide.
 

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System One

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You installed Ubuntu to make a backup and then a clean install? I am pretty sophisticated but not that sophisticated ;-)

But an upgrade witha full install of Seven would likely fix the registry challenge but keep my old foles correct? I can go get a full version if need be.

Thanks
 

My Computer

System One

  • CPU
    Intel Core i7 940 @ 3.7 ghz
    Motherboard
    Asus P6 WS Revolution
    Memory
    Corsair Dominator 6 gigs
    Graphics Card(s)
    2 x BFG 285 GTX OCX
    Screen Resolution
    1680 x 1050
    Hard Drives
    2 x 1 TB Western Digital RAID 1
    PSU
    Corsair HX 1000
    Case
    Antec P-182
    Cooling
    Corsair H50
If you buy the upgrade version of Seven. You clean install with format everything works like new. You must back up your files. If you do an upgrade to keep your files, you will also keep some problems.
Only hardware problems remain. eg memory, or psu, or cpu, etc.

If you want to do the Ubuntu thing its easy. Its your decision.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS420
    Memory
    6 gig
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD3650 256 MB
    Sound Card
    Intergrated 7.1 Channel Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell SP2009W 20 inch Flat Panel w Webcam
    Hard Drives
    640 gb
    Cooling
    Fan
    Keyboard
    Dell USB
    Mouse
    Dell USB 4 button optical
    Other Info
    DSL provided by ATT
Hello!

As Rich has said, it is subjective. Here is my view on it. You can install 7 instead of Vista if you wish. Install 7 only if you want 7, and not as an easy fix. You cannot do a Repair Install with your current disk. If you upgraded to 7, it is of my opinion that some problems would remain. Some types of registry corruptions, in particular corruptions of the SCHEMA hive, and the COMPONENTS sub-hive will be fixed, but a lot more would not be fixed.

I really would recommend doing a Clean Install. Back up your data, don't format the drive, re-install Vista or 7, whatever you want, and then copy back your documents, reinstall your programs, and have a nicely working computer.

That is just my opinion,

Richard
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS 420
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Quad Q9300 2.50GHz
    Motherboard
    Stock Dell 0TP406
    Memory
    4 gb (DDR2 800) 400MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD 3870 (512 MBytes)
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1 x Dell 2007FP and 1 x (old) Sonic flat screen
    Screen Resolution
    1600 x 1200 and 1280 x 1204
    Hard Drives
    1 x 640Gb (SATA 300)
    Western Digital: WDC WD6400AAKS-75A7B0

    1 x 1Tb (SATA 600)
    Western Digital: Caviar Black, SATA 6GB/S, 64Mb cache, 8ms
    Western Digital: WDC WD1002FAEX-00Z3A0 ATA Device
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    Stock PSU - 375W
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    Dell XPS 420
    Cooling
    Stock Fan
    Keyboard
    Dell Bluetooth
    Mouse
    Advent Optical ADE-WG01 (colour change light up)
    Internet Speed
    120 kb/s
    Other Info
    ASUS USB 3.0 5Gbps/SATA 6Gbps - PCI-Express Combo Controller Card (U3S6)
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