Repair Install For Vista

INFO: This will allow you to repair your Vista installation and keep all of your personal user account files, settings, and programs. You will be performing a Upgrade Install from within your currently running Vista.

NOTE: You must have a Vista Express or Retail installation DVD to do this. If you have a OEM Recovery installation DVD that came with your computer instead, then it will most likely only be a clone of the hard drive with Vista allowing you to only do a clean install with it instead.

INSTALLATION PROBLEM: See:
Windows Help and Support: KB935806 Troubleshooting Stop error messages that may occur when you try to install Windows Vista

AND

Windows Help and Support: KB929777 Error message when you try to install Windows Vista on a computer that uses more than 3 GB of RAM: "STOP 0x0000000A"

WARNING:
A) IF YOU HAVE THE VISTA SP1 INSTALLED:

• This will not work if you have the SP1 installed unless you create a Vista SP1 slipstream installation DVD (See below). When the SP1 is installed, it will give Vista a newer version number than what is on the original Vista installation DVD. You can only do a Upgrade install if the currently installed Vista is the same or older version than what is on the Vista installation DVD.
• To create a Vista SP1 slipstream installation DVD to use to do a Repair (upgrade) install, see: How to Create a Vista SP1 Slipstream Installation DVD .
• Another option is to uninstall the Vista SP1, then run the Repair install and install the SP1 again afterwards. To uninstall the SP1, see: Microsoft Help and Support: How to uninstall Windows Vista SP1 as a troubleshooting step

B) Be sure to backup any important data you have, just in case something goes wrong during installation. You may need to reinstall your drivers. You do not want to do this if you are dual booting with XP and Vista was not installed as the primary boot drive. It can cause XP to not startup anymore.
Ex: Email messages and settings. See the How to Backup and Reset Windows Mail section for how.


ITEMS THAT WILL BE RESET TO DEFAULT:

• Computer Sound Event Scheme - See: How to Change a Computer Event Sound in Vista
• Vista Services - How to Disable or Enable Vista Services With a Advice Guide
• Visual Effects Options - How to Change the Visual Effects Options for Appearance and Performance in Vista

RELATED LINKS:
1. How to Do a Clean Install of Vista with a Upgrade Version

2. How to Do a Clean Install with a Full Version of Vista

3. How to Repair and Verify the Integrity of Vista System Files with System File Checker

4. How to Use the Memory Diagnostics Tool in Vista

5. How to Do a Startup Repair in Vista

6. How to Reset a User Account Password in Vista

7. How to Generate a System Health Report in Vista

8. How to Troubleshoot the Computer with Reliability Monitor in Vista

9. How to Run Check Disk at Startup in Vista

10. How to Do a System Restore in Vista

11. How to Use the DirectX Diagnostic Tool in Vista

12. How to Fix a Crashing Internet Explorer in Vista

13. How to Get Out of Reduced Functionality Mode in Vista

14. How to Restore Previous Versions of a File and Folder in Vista

15. How to Start Vista in Safe Mode

16. Cannot Rename or Move a File or Folder in Vista Fix

17. How to Create a Vista Recovery Disc

18. How to Create a Vista SP1 Slipstream Installation DVD

19. How to Restore Missing Default Start Menu Shortcuts in Vista

20. How to Restore TrustedInstaller as Owner of a File in Vista


Here's How:
NOTE: If Vista is still not working properly afterwards, then a Clean Install would be recommended. You may need to reinstall your drivers after the Repair (upgrade) install.

1. Insert the Vista DVD into the DVD drive while your current Vista is running.
2. Click Install Now to start the upgrade. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: If AutoPlay does not load the Vista setup screen, then open your DVD drive in Computer and click on the Setup file.

Install_now.jpg

3. If you want Vista to check for updates during the installation, then click on that to select it.
(See screenshot below)
NOTE: It will install faster if you select Do not get the latest updates for installation. You can install them later through Windows Update.

Updates.jpg

4. Do not type in a product key. (See screenshot below)
WARNING: If you do type in the same activated product key that you already have installed, then you can end up in Reduced Functionality Mode. See: How to Get Out of Reduced Functionality Mode in Vista

5. Leave Automatically activate Windows when I'm online unchecked.
6. Click Next.

Product_Key.jpg

7. Click the No button for the Do you want to enter your product key now? prompt. (See screenshot below)

Product_Key_Confirmation.jpg

8. Select which version of Vista you have. (See screenshot below)
9. Check I have selected the edition of Windows that I purchased and click Next. (See screenshot below)

Windows_Version.jpg

10. Click on the Upgrade option. (See screenshot below)

Upgrade.jpg

11. Follow any instructions left until Vista is through installing and has rebooted to the final welcome screen on the Vista desktop.
12. Remove the Vista installation DVD.
13. Run Disk Cleanup.
NOTE: See: How to Use Disk Cleanup in Vista
A) Check Files discarded by Windows upgrade. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: These will be the leftover upgrade files, C:\$INPLACE.~TR and C:\$WINDOWS.~Q, that did not get copied over. If any personal username files are missing, it would be in these folders.
B) Click OK to delete it.

Disk_Cleanup.jpg

14. Now all you need to do is to activate Vista.
NOTE: See: How to Activate Vista Normally and by Phone Activation
A) Right click Computer (Start Menu) and click Properties, or open the Control Panel (Classic View) and click on the System icon.
B) Scroll down a bit and click: Activate Windows Now. (See screenshot below)

Activate.jpg


That's it,
Shawn