Vista - Repair install?

"Mike" <mikey117@xxxxxx> wrote in message
news:uQIGKQoJJHA.3644@xxxxxx
Pull those last 2 sticks of RAM out that were added to the PC.
Or, run a memtest.
But if the not booting occured after adding that RAM, perhaps it is bad
RAM/mismatched.


--
Ens causa sui
Fit caedes omnibus locis

Hi Mike,

Yes I have reinstalled several times with oem dvd. You can only have one instance of same o/s with same prod. key running at a time, of course.

Not sure why you had to activate - there is an Activate automatically checkbox at the bottom of one the windows that appears during install - untick it if you want to activate manually later.

There is tutorial here

Clean Install with a Full Version of Vista

However, if you want to save the existing files on the drive to a Windows.old folder ( this is from memory - have only done this once, I normally do full clean reinstall ) - just remembered - believe it's only available if you start the process from your existing windows install.


You might like to get the free Paragon Drive Backup Express.

Drive Backup Express - Free Download!

You need to download, install - get free reg. key,. You can then image your installation to a second hd for future use. Also has the option to create bootable recovery media - leave default "typical" and burn as bootable .iso to a cd ( if you neded an app. to do that, get free The Official ImgBurn Website ). That allows you to boot into your pc and copy the partition / drive to your other hd.

Hope that helps

SIW2

Hi,

As you can't boot into your existing Vista , seems you don't get the windows.old option? One way to get your data off the drive is with a bootable app. such as the one above. You could try reinstalling Vista on your second hd skipping the auto activate box, and disconnect from the net - to see if you can transfer your data as you planned. I have not tried this particular combination, but it's worth a go.

By the way I just made the Paragon recovery disc - it does it without any 3rd party iso burning software.

SIW2

"D. Eth" <death@xxxxxx> wrote in message news:gc93f5$r5b$1@xxxxxxRam is back to the way it was originally.
I ran the ram test & no problems found.

Hey Mike
Can you boot into safe mode??

Hi Mike,

As it looks like we are into the realms of Disaster recovery and you wish to recover your personal files before a possible complete re-install.

One option would be, that I have used in the past as a last resort option, and I apologise if anyone is offended for me suggesting this in a vista Forum/Newsgroup, a Linux distro such as Ubunto installed onto a second drive, or partition, which would allow you to transfer your personal files, which would appear to be still there, before you then install a fresh Vista.

I am not in anyway suggesting that you replace vista with Linux simply that I may be a Zero cost method to get around the single copy activation issue.

"pooch" <guest@xxxxxx-email.com> wrote in message
news:e1589403bb05aa2a2f3e10ebe6ec38d0@xxxxxx-gateway.com...No.

Hi Mike,

I do not know why the new install is asking to be activated before you can log in unless it has something to do with the broken copy of Vista that is already installed on the original disk.

My advice would be to remove the original disk from the computer leaving only the new disk installed, next you should then install Vista on this disk, this time you should be given the option to automatically activate this copy. (This is the default option) accept this option and allow it to install, when finished you will have about two days before the activation takes place which will give you time to copy your old files.

To copy the old files I recommend that you purchase an External usb enclosure, normally you can buy one without a disk and they are not to expensive. (Also they are very handy for making backups)

Place the disk with the broken copy of vista into the usb enclosure and attach to the computer this will now allow you to copy your files. When finished and you are happy that you have saved everything you can then format this disk (can also be done over usb) I suggest you use the quick format option to save time.

If you want the original disk back in the computer, switch everything off, swap the disks over, reinstall vista back onto the original disk again leaving the option to activate automatically and copy your files back. Finally format the usb disk when finished.

If you do all this in one day the first copy of Vista should never need to be activated, if however it still asks for activation before you can go into windows you should be given the option to do this by telephone, which is a pain as you will have to do it twice if you want to use the original disk again, but I dont see any reason for it not to work.

My tip when installing vista always make two partitions so that you can keep your personal files on partition D\:
This will save all this trouble should you ever have to Reinstall Vista in the future as you can simply reinstall on Partition C\: Remembering not to format D\: during the install which will leave your personal file intact.

Finaly remember you are only allowed one copy of Vista per activated key and that all other copys on other drives must be destroyed.

By formatting not with a hammer!!

I hope this helps

Pooch

"pooch" <guest@xxxxxx-email.com> wrote in message
news:181fc90ac570f05c20598caa9d5ce149@xxxxxx-gateway.com...Did the clean install & got the option to save files in ma windows.old
folder.
That seems to have worked out fine - thanks for all your help, guys!

Glad it worked out for you

SIW2