Solved Windows Vista Restore Problem

Hey, first poster here but I really could use help with my problem here.

First of all, long story short, I upgraded to Windows 7 then later on downgraded to Windows Vista. I followed the instructions on the official Microsoft website to downgrade back using the windows.old file. Problem is I'm not what you'd call a "techy" guy so I was kind of confused with it. I followed it as exactly as I could but I ran into errors along the way. Some such as not being able to move a file called "Documents and Settings" and also not being able to do what they wrote as "Restore the boot sector." They said to use the command "D:\boot\bootsect /nt60 c:" but it didn't work for me. Anyway after I moved the windows.old files and all that I restarted my computer and it actually booted onto Vista!

Here's where the problems start coming, my plan was to go back to Vista and then fully reset it back to original or factory settings. (Either was fine.) I pressed F8 on the boot, went to repair computer to see if I could find anything there but what I saw is that it said I was running Windows 7 on Local Disc C. I find this weird because on the login screen it says I'm running Vista and even the computer properties say so. I thought it would go away when I had reset it but there's the second problem. I could not find anyway to reset it. My computer is a Dell XPS M1330 (Pretty old, but I'm not buying a new computer just yet.) I researched a bit and found out that most Dell computers have an option to factory restore at the F8 menu but I could not find that. So now I need a way to reset all my data. I have backed up everything I wish to save.

I'm thinking I should download a Windows Vista Installation Disk and then run that and use the product key on the sticker on the bottom of my computer. (Picture Included)
I will then run a custom install. Will that work or do I need to do something else?
Any help is greatly appreciated, thanks in advance.

Edit: The error message I got with the D:\boot\bootsect thing was something along the lines of it could not recognize the command so when I did some research I found out a command called /bootsect /nt60 or something, I used that on an elevated command prompt and it said stuff but my problem is still there.

Welcome
Yes, if you have and install DVD and a valid product key, a clean install is best. It includes formatting
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/117366-clean-install-full-version-vista.html

Thanks for the more than quick reply.:D
I will try this and post the results in the morning.

Alright, I've installed Vista again but now I have another problem. I can't connect to the Internet. I have a DVD for my computer that says "For reinstalling Dell XPS Laptop, Computer Software" and another that says "For reinstalling dell xps and dell studio computer software for windows vista 64-bit." I think it has something to do with re-installing vista but I want to be sure of what to do here.

Also when I use any of the two DVDs I can get to a window where it allows me to install drivers and utilities. I follow the instructions to installing some of the drivers but nothing is changing. Help?

Let me make it a more specific, I can't even find ANY connection. All my other devices can see and connect to a network.

Step One
Go to search by the start button
Type device manager
You will see network adapters.
Click on it and update driver.
If you cant because you cant connect. Get the information of the provider it should be in devicemanger, network adapters, properties. Go to that website and download driver to a USB. and then transfer
Tried mine. All I had to do was click on Network adapters and the Name Intel shows. I would go to the Intel site. Yours should show a name in a similar fashion.

Tried it, each one said I had the best driver software already installed.
Right clicking on the network adapter and clicking on properties just leaves a blank window.

Upon closer look one of the drivers has an exclamation mark by the side. Checked it and it said "This device cannot start. (Code 10)"

Go to the website, you may actually not have the most current.
or
It may be deeictive, uninstall and then install again. Boot after each procedure.

After a bit of research it seems I'm not the only one with this problem. The driver is Broadcom 802.11n Network Adapter. I can't connect to the Internet without it, so I'm going to try and see if I can download it through another computer and then use a USB. Results in a bit.

Good, as I suggested above.

After a bit of time I finally got it to work. I couldn't even find the driver on it's own website and had to find it on the DVD which it went by a different name.

Anyway thanks for the AMAZING help richc! Couldn't have asked for a better support.

Glad that we could help solve the problem, come back any time to learn or just have fun.