Solved How many times can Vista OS be reinstalled

Computer: Dell XPS 410, 2.13GHz 6420 CPU, 2GB, 320Gb HD
OS: Vista Home Premium 32bit
Knowledge: Just enough to get in trouble
Age:64

Had a virus problem a month ago that prevented anything Windows or Microsoft from running (corrupted rundll.exe ?). E-mail and Google still worked. After trying several things I reinstalled the OS with the disc that came with the computer. I also reinstalled all aplications that I had discs for. I tried to install Office 2010 and it said I needed Vista Service Pack 1. I downloaded this but it wouldn't install. Today, I looked in the Microsoft file and found the SP1 3.5file, found set up and, after about a halfhour my computer said it was successfully installed - but I needed a MS update - one file 52 MB worth. After about an hour of downloading (I'm on satellite) I installed the update. Here's where I really get the problem. During restart, It begins listing files, one-at-a-time from my system(???). It gets to one that says

!!0xc01a001d11 37441/98334 (\Registry\machine\components\deriveddata...

and it hangs up there for about an hour and a half. One quick loss of power and and computer can't start Windows or automatically repair it. Investigation by the repair program says I have a corrupted registry that it can't fix. What do I do?

Can I reinstall the OS again? and then go back to the restore point which was made just before the SP1 3.5 set up?

Is there a counter that prevents you from reinstalling the OS too many times? This would be my second re-installation.

Any help or advice would be appreciated.

georgeinva

Welome
You can reinstall as many times as you like, using these rules:
If the DVD came with computer that had Vista already installed, you can reinstall as many times as you like on that one computer
If the DVD is a regular retail or upagrade DVD from Microsoft, you can reinstall as many times as you like and on as many computers as you like, but it can be installed only on one computer at a time.

richc46,

Thank you for your reply. I had been misinformed that the same OS could only be re-installed a small fixed number of times.

Is there anything I can do short of reinstalling the OS? Will reinstalling the OS fix (eliminate) my corrupted registry? AS you can see, while my knowledge isn't zero, it isn't very great.

georgeinva

For the future,
After you have the system working the way that you want, buy an external hard drive with this software Macrium Reflect FREE Edition - Information and download
Make an image an put it on the hard drive. You will never has to reinstall, again, no matter what. You just take the image and put it on the computers hard drive. Upadate it once a month so always current.
Currently, If you do not have a back up of your registry and if System restore points are not old enough to have the proper registry settings, you must reinstall.
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/76905-system-restore-how.html
Some other methods may be pushed online, such as registry maintenance, etc, but they are not recommened at this forum.

richc46

Again, thank you so much for your time and help. My problem is that now I can't get windows to start on the vista system to even get to restore, so the computer's essentially "dead in the water". If i could, I would choose a restore point before all this started yesterday and restore from there. Right now, I can't start normally or by using the system repair option or from safe mode or by using the choice of "start from the last successful configuration" either. (I'm writing from an older XP unit I also have). This may be a stupid question but, Can I get to the restore point after I reinstall Vista OS?

I have a 320GB external hard that I last backed to during June, before my last reinstall. I backed up using the MS Backup and restore screen which really seems quite useless to restore from unless there is something else I don't understand. Your suggestion of the free image software is appreciated.

georgeinva

If you reinstall there will be no restore points. You are starting fresh, just like the day that you bought the computer home.
With Vista, Im not sure what you backed up, but it was not the OS. You need the software that I mentioned to back up the OS (Operating System, Vista).
You may be able to get to System restore, using this method.
If you create a recovery DVD, you may be able to boot to recovery options
Create Recovery DVD.
Hard Disc Controller must be set to IDE in BIOS and Bios must be set to boot from the CD Boot Priority - Change

The Vista recovery disk is used to boot Vista when it won't boot - to run Startup Repair, System Restore, access a Command Line, Recover using a Vista Backup Image, etc.
System Recovery Options. Choose an option tht will not cause you to lose your stuff.

If Vista will not start now, boot the Recovery CD to run Startup Repair which automates System Restore as well as numerous other tests including System File Checker which can repair system files which are not corrupted beyond repair.

If Vista still will not start, try booting into Safe Mode to run sfc /scannow to repair System files.
Special Thanks Given to Seven Forums.





Below is a bulletin distributed by MS to explain the start up procedure when Windows will not boot.

• Startup Repair. Startup Repair is a Windows recovery tool that can fix certain problems, such as missing or damaged system files, that might prevent Windows from starting. Startup Repair is located on the System Recovery Options menu, which is on the Windows Vista installation disc. If your computer has preinstalled recovery options, it might also be stored on your computer's hard disk. For more information, see Startup Repair: frequently asked questions and What are the system recovery options in Windows Vista? If your computer does not include Startup Repair, your computer manufacturer might have customized or replaced the tool. Check the information that came with your computer or go to the manufacturer's website.
• Change restart settings in safe mode. If your computer is stuck in a loop where Windows fails, attempts to restart, and then fails again repeatedly, restart your computer in safe mode and select the Disable automatic restart on system failure checkbox. For more information, see Advanced startup options (including safe mode).
• Reinstall. If no other options have solved the problem, and you are sure that your computer's hardware is functioning normally, you might need to reinstall Windows. A custom (clean) installation of Windows will permanently delete all of the files on your computer and reinstall Windows, so only use this option if all other recovery options have been unsuccessful. After the installation, you will need to reinstall your programs and restore your files from backup copies. For more information, see Installing and reinstalling Windows**.

You can also reinstall, by booting from the CD.
If you cant boot from the CD
Set the computer to boot from the Vista CD
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/205005-boot-priority-change.html

Hello I am new to this forum.

I trying to install vista home premium 32bit on my Dell Inspiron 1545 using my window DVD that come with my old pc Inspiron 1525. I have tried several tens time But it is never successful. The installation process is stopped at completion stages after it was successfully copying window files, extending, Installing feature and installing update and rebooted...

any ideas

thank you in advance if anyone know how to end this probs:

regard

Did the computer come with Vista?
If soDell has a restoration partition.
Step 2 restoration
http://support.dell.com/support/top...=us&l=en&s=gen&docid=DSN_347576&isLegacy=true