Vista Reinstall

Nasyra · Jun 4, 2016

I don't even know where to begin .. but lets start with I am a computer NOVICE .. I have very light understanding of computers ..

I was trying to clean up my hard drive to sell my laptop and I didn't have a program so I went online and downloaded Nuke & Boot .. apparently there in lies the problem ... after the nuke & boot I received an error saying ...

BOOTMGR is missing .. Press Ctrl+Alt+Del to restart ..

When doing that is starts a vicious circle and nothing ever changes and nothing ever gets better .. to google I went looking for the fix .. apparently I need a window's installation disk and it's a simple fix .. so I called HP since that's what type of laptop I have .. they tell me they no longer support Vista and I have to call Microsoft directly .. called Microsoft and they no longer support Vista either and can not help me .. back to google to find out where to buy the CD ..

Ordered a Window's Vista System Recovery Disk .. Installation, Repair, Restore, Recovery Disk .. it came in the mail today I did as instructed and all was installing fine about half way through and than all of a sudden everything stops and a different screen pops up and I get another error saying ...

(In not so many words) Windows has encountered a problem ... Status: OxcOOOOOe9 Info: An unexpected I/O error has occurred ..

Went to google again and to be completely honest I don't understand a word of what is being suggested for the fixes .. So I took the computer into a local fix it company and they guy behind the counter didn't even look at the computer before telling me it wasn't fixable .. I left there and took it to a local Geek Squad and they told me they could fix it but it would cost me thousands of dollars and for that price I might as well just buy a new one .. I am at a complete loss and don't have the foggiest idea of how to fix this computer ..

If someone could help me or point me in the direction of what to do or where to go or even if it's worth the hassle .. I've been at this for what seems like an eternity and I'm frustrated because I don't understand and I'm ready to set the dumb thing on fire and forget about it !

townsbg · Jun 4, 2016

That sounds like a program designed to completely destroy everything on the hard drive. Is it DBAN's Boot and nuke? If it is then you are receiving those errors because nothing is left on your hard drive. Windows repair is also failing because windows isn't installed. You will have to reinstall windows to get it functional again. So we can be clear please provide the link for the program you used.

Nasyra · Jun 4, 2016

https://sourceforge.net/projects/dban/

^^ That's the link I used .. and from what I read I thought the Window's CD I bought was to reinstall the Window's the computer came with ?

townsbg · Jun 5, 2016

One of the members here has an ISO for download. http://www.vistax64.com/general-discussion/296167-vista-iso-download.html Try that and before you perform the install remove the partition and then create a new one.

Nasyra · Jun 5, 2016

Remove the partition and create a new one .. umm .. I will google how to do that but I have to be honest just reading that sentence scares me .. Although that may be a relatively simple I haven't a clue how to do that .. I appreciate your assistance though and will do as instructed

townsbg · Jun 5, 2016

It is relatively simple using the installation menu. Step 11 in this tutorial shows a screenshot of the menu. Just hit the delete button and then the new button followed by the format button. I don't know if these options are on your disk but they are on the disk available on the thread I previously posted. Here is the tutorial. http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/117366-clean-install-full-version-vista.html

Nasyra · Jun 5, 2016

I clicked on the link you provided for the ISO Vista download which took me to another page and this is the information available ...

copy/paste --->> Windows Vista used to be available for public download on servers owned by Digital River, Microsoft's service provider for e-commerce. As of February 2015, these downloads have been pulled. "Free" access to the OS disk images is no longer possible.

Which I assume is okay because I have a disk that I bought that is supposed to have the information that was in that link (picture below) ? what I am having trouble with is how to access the partition you suggested I delete .. I don't know how to find it .. the only thing the computer does at this point is start up and go directly to a black screen that says ...

BOOTMGR is missing .. Press Ctrl+Alt+Del to restart ..

I am able to push escape to get into the Bios but there isn't a mention of a partition of any sorts .. and I apologize if I am asking dumb questions .. I'm completely confused .. I'm in dentistry and this computer stuff makes my head spin !

Nasyra · Jun 5, 2016

View attachment 29334 These are always my options to choose from ..
View attachment 29336 And no matter which option I choose I always end up with this ..

Ztruker · Jun 5, 2016

Add a new reply (Reply to thread) here: Vista ISO download

and ask Peter (Ex_Brit) to send you the link to the versions of Vista you need, 32 or 64. Include your E-mail address mucked up, like abc at xyz DOT com then edit your post and remove it as soon as you receive the link.

The ISO Peter provides has both SP1 and SP2 applied.

Pick up the Tutorial: How to Download a Vista ISO and Create an Installation DVD or USB here:

STEP THREE
To Create Vista Installation DVD or USB Flash Drive with ISO File

During the install, when asked for the key, don't enter it. You will then be given a menu where you can chose the version you want to install.

Activate once the install is completed.

virtual6 · Jun 5, 2016

Your HP laptop would likely have had a "factory image" recovery partition which you could have used to restore your system.
Which option in the DBAN did you run...autonuke?
If so, that was a mistake...you erased the recovery partition, as well as all other partitions (such as your C: drive).

Every project, be it in dentistry or computers, deserves a plan, and you clearly did not have a plan here.

Where did you get that recovery disc? It's not clear that it contains the system installation files. It looks more like a disc you could use to boot the computer and access an existing installation (which you no longer have).

When you were first referred to the thread about downloading a Vista installation file, it was intended that you would request a download from forum member Ex_Brit. Luckily a recent reply from member Ztruker gives more details on how you can do this.

Even if you are successful with the installation (and that includes hunting down all the specific drivers you may need), there may be a problem with getting it up to date with Windows updates.
There is a separate thread about the troubles many have had lately.
In fact, I have had trouble with a Vista system that was about one year behind in updates...I let Windows Update run for over 8 hours, with no results. Another system that was about two months behind took 8 hours for Windows Update, and another 4 hours to download and install.

If you are just going to sell the computer, I wouldn't worry about whether it is up to date. You simply need to demonstrate the computer works, and maybe get some screen shots of system specs (CPU, RAM, etc.).
What do you think the computer is worth? An HP Vista laptop...maybe $50? Is it worth all this time and trouble?

townsbg · Jun 6, 2016

I agree that the disk is likely a recovery/repair disk and doesn't actually contain the files needed to install Vista-deceptive considering that it states install on it. If that is the case then your disk is worthless since it only works with an existing install. The thread both myself and ztrucker posted will get you a copy that you will be able to use to install Vista. A real installation disk will only have 32-bit or 64-bit but not both so I think that you where scammed in buying it. Virtual6 is right in that it will take you quite some time to get Vista installed and updated and it shouldn't be necessary to do so if all you are going to do is sell it.

Nasyra · Jun 6, 2016

My original intention was to sell the computer because it is my children's laptop and the school gives them computers to use through their entire school career so I assumed they would no longer need/want this laptop, I was wrong. They still wanted to use it for their gaming etc that they are not permitted to do with the school computers.

I agree that all this work is not worth the couple dollars I would have been able to sell the laptop for, however now that we are keeping it, I am trying to put forth an effort to fix it for them since I apparently destroyed it by not knowing what I was doing to begin with.

When I purchased this laptop in 2009 it came with a free upgrade disk to window's 7 which was automatically ordered and delivered when window's 7 became available (if I remember correctly) .. the laptop ran window's 7 for years until just recently we upgraded it to window's 10 but the computer ran completely fine until I started the reformat process ..

I apologize I didn't understand the instruction the 1st time .. As much as this may be common knowledge for some for others it is not .. I had a plan I watched video's and read forum's before I even began this entire process, I just failed with the execution ..

The vista disk was purchased through amazon .. I originally googled the vista disk and found multiple links but because amazon was the only name I recognized that's where I went to buy it ..

As for which DBAN I choose I believe it was military version DOD-something .. I didn't know which one to choose so I again googled it and it said it was a safe option to choose .. I ran for a couple hours and was completed ..

I've included the picture of the screen after the DBAN was completed ..

virtual6 · Jun 6, 2016

No need to apologize for the Vista download instructions. That thread is impossibly long and it's not immediately obvious what steps you need to take.
You certainly aren't the only one to need a Vista installation download file.

I don't know exactly why your Amazon recovery disc had trouble, perhaps a driver problem.
But even without the error, the most you'd be able to do is recover your system from a previous or factory system image.

Regarding the factory system image...maybe it's still on your hard drive?
I say that because you mentioned entering some options in DBAN, rather than just defaulting to "autonuke".
One of those options would be to select which drives to erase.
(To be clear, generally speaking, drive = volume = partition; disk usually refers to the entire physical device.)
Programs aren't always precise in their terminology and will use "disk" and "drive" interchangeably.
So maybe you only erased your C: drive, and didn't erase your factory image [drive]?
What you need is a boot disc that actually works (with no unexpected I/O errors!) and provides some diagnostic tools to let your explore your hard drive and files, and determine if any partitions still exist.

If your goal is ultimately to get back to Windows 10, I wonder if there is a way to skip the Vista step?
How did you get to Windows 7, did you do an "upgrade in place" which preserves your personal files?
It might be possible to do a "clean" install of Windows 7 using your upgrade disc...did that disc come with a new product key?
Perhaps some other members have thoughts about whether this might work.

Nasyra · Jun 6, 2016

The window's 7 disk (picture below) did not come with a separate key it worked in conjunction with my existing key to the Vista preinstalled on the computer .. I attempted to skip the vista step and go straight to the W7 but it doesn't work .. when I spoke to Microsoft on the phone they advised I could purchase a W7 disk for about 1 hundred dollars and when I asked if it would fix the problem I seem to be having she was unsure and told me I could purchase a software support package for another couple hundred dollars ... -_- ...

I read through some other forums before coming to this one to pose my question and others seemed to be having the same issue but they were able to get to a command prompt and give the computer directions that way but I cant even seem to do that .. when I hit the power button the windows logo pops up and in the bottom right it says something like hit esc to interrupt start up or something and that alone allows me to get to the bios .. or if I do not hit esc it takes me to the boot mngr missing screen .. other than that I am unable to do anything .. which I think is the most frustrating part because everything was working as it should and than half way through the install is when the screen popped up telling me I had the I/O error and it hasn't worked since ..

I appreciate everyone's help ! I truly truly do .. this is quite frustrating because I don't understand and your explanations are very much a welcome relief ..

View attachment 29338

virtual6 · Jun 6, 2016

I'm quite sure there was no "install" taking place when you got the I/O error.
If you're referring to your screen shot which says "Windows is loading files...", that is the recovery disc preparing to build a core Windows environment which it will use to give you a Windows-like experience and presentation during the recovery.
I often use a Norton Ghost disc for backups and restores, and I get the exact same screen when booting from the disc.
(If you're interested, a Ghost trial version is still available for download as an iso file, even though it is now a discontinued product...burn the file to a CD...voila! You now have a disc from which you can boot and check things out.)

On the subject of Windows 7 media...
A download was indeed available for free from Digital River and Microsoft servers as late as maybe August 2015.
Now, you can still get a download from a particular Microsoft site, but you must supply a retail product key...the OEM key printed on your laptop's sticker does not qualify.

How exactly did you try to install Windows 7 and what about it didn't work?
This article http://winsupersite.com/windows-7/clean-install-windows-7-upgrade-media discusses how to install and activate using an upgrade disc, although it's not clear whether a manufacturer's disc, like from HP, would work the same way.

townsbg · Jun 6, 2016

I have used dban and according to the screenshot it successfully completed in wiping out your hard drive. No Vista installation and no recovery partition. The disk you bought is only useful in repairing windows but you have to have an existing install to repair. Your only recourse is to use the thread both myself and ztrucker provided to request a download link that another member has of the full Vista install disk. You can't do anything with the disk that you bought from Amazon.

Nasyra · Jun 7, 2016

I have requested and received the Vista copy from the link you provided .. I have to travel out of state for a death in the family but will get back to fixing the laptop for my kids when I return .. I looked through the instructions provided and read them a few times .. I want to make sure I have a better understanding before I start this time .. I remain hopeful .. I again thank you all for your help !

Ztruker · Jun 7, 2016

If you have any questions, ask them here. We'll all do what we can to help.

Sorry to hear of your family's pain. May God bless you.

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