Vista - Repair Install For Vista

Hi all,
Great site, mucho info.
I just took the Vista 64 (SP1) Ultimate plunge on a Dell T7400. Finally got all the apps and hardware to work along with wireless and bluetooth networks. Many installs and backouts of drivers, apps, hardware etc. Event viewer not bad, ran sfc and there were errors, so I decided to run a repair install. I purchased a retail copy (SP1) and started the procedures you outlined. I got to through most dialogs, but just before install start, a compatibility warning popped that said to uninstall powershell (another wonderful tip from this site). Well, I tried. I could not delete all the registry keys. I don't have permissions in the root folder, nor can I alter them. It does not appear in the CP, and I used the appix.cpl app as outlined in MS site with no luck. I must admit I am a confused newbie. I am admin and ran pgms as admin.
I was used to xp install sp2 and then sp3 once in a while as a refresh (I do try lots of apps and hardware).
Any thoughts. I could go thru the sfc log, but that is last resort. If I do go that way, can the bad files be picked off the retail dvd, or is there another step involved? ( I know this depends on the file, so generally speaking is fine).
Thanks for the great forum. Learned a lot so far.
Joe

Hi JoeJoe2,

Usually with that kind of a problem it's easier to do a clean install again.

Sorry,
Shawn

Well, I chickened out of the repair install in terms of moving everything to a new motherboard and processor. Instead, I decided to do a clean install following the procedure for doing so with an upgrade CD and then moving files and programs over via laplink's PCmover. Since my Vista CD was pre-SP1, I created a CD with SP1 slipstreamed in, following your wonderful directions. I then performed a clean install (without entering a product key, etc.). But when I went to do an upgrade install from within Vista, I had the same problem as bngranse: Namely, it wouldn't let me do an upgrade, telling me that the current version (SP1) was more recent than the Vista CDE (the slipstreamed SP1). Very strange, since they were the same version--indeed, I was using the same disc to do the second-stage upgrade as the first stage clean install.

Anyway, I went ahead and finished the transfer, using PCmover. 99% went smoothly, and I was able to take care of a couple small problems without much time or trouble.

Activation, however, was a different matter (since I hadn't completed the upgrade from within Vista and had done a clean install using the upgrade slipstreamed CD). The phone activation people sent me to Microsoft customer service who were finally able to get me activated (through a code they gave me that I entered into Microsoft Diagnostic Tool) and then back to phone activation (with the customer service person staying on the line). Just a head's up, in case others aren't able to do the second (upgrade) install using the slipstream SP! CD....

Anyway, your tutorials are great! Many thanks.

Thank you URTHJ for the feedback on your experience. I'm happy to hear that you got it sorted out and installed and activated now.

Shawn

My system is very messed up, I was unable to repair the files with the SFC command, and the SFC log file is almost 50MB. I'm using a slipstreamed SP1 Vista OEM disc, but it always disables the upgrade option, so I can't repair the installation. I have remade the disc 3 times and the results are always the same. When I try to uninstall SP1, it fails. Is it time to do a clean install?

Hello Pr0grammer1,

It looks that way.

Sorry,
Shawn

I have tried all repair / restore options with no success. Can I repair install from the "upgrade" cd or "restore" cds I was given from HP ? I'm trying not to lose my files, but I don't have a retail version of Vista, only what HP has given me.

As a last resort I will try and save files from HD and do a clean install. Any help is appreciated. By the way, my computer was fine until I did the SP1 update. ??? I'm thinking Bill Gates retired at a good time, much like Alan Greenspan.

Hi MWdream,

Welcome to Vista Forums.

If the CDs from HP are not a Recovery Disk (clean install only), then you may be able to.

Shawn

Thanks for the reply. Yes they are Recovery disks. So that option is out. I also have a "windows anytime upgrade" dvd for vista. Can I repair install from this, or will I need to purchase a Vista Ultimate retail version to try to repair upgrade so that I don't lose files? I have Vista Home Premium currently.

I am amazed at how the Service Pack Upgrade could destroy my OS beyond any repair. I know I'm not alone on this either. You would think Microsoft would send me the Ultimate upgrade free of charge.

Sorry, You will not be able to use the Anytime Upgrade DVD for a repair install either.

I believe you can use a Retail Vista Installation DVD to do the repair if you used the HP install CD/DVDs to install your current Vista, but not if installed with the Anytime Upgrade DVD.