Asking for help reviving an older machine?

[VistaHome32]

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OK, it has been a while since I started this Vista PC (since it having troubles), but am now seeing if I can ask some experts here for a little help? This machine/OS has been giving me sone screwy problems (sys restore not working, win update was giving quite a few problems, even some of the tools were acting like portions of the programs were corrupted). I tried sfc but it found nothing. I finally found a system disk (DVD) with all the versions of Vista Ultimate, and am wondering if I can use it to FIX the files so they actually work again (yes, even though sfc didn't find anything to fix, I am thinking the OS is corrupted somewhere).

I have a few games and programs that I cannot find the disks to (a couple were downloads paid for and maybe stored on the multutude of HDD's scattered around), the hiccups affect the games and programs. I am not sure it is a hardware problem (a few mini-strokes makes this effort harder). I know I can easily wipe the system BUT this was an update to Ultimate from Home, and I have no idea where the new key is (and if it will still be able to validate by phone from Microsoft). Also, the games and programs issue...

So, IS there a way to reinstall/repair without losing everything AND without having to a long convoluted step by step procedure (those mini-strokes sure limit my thinking processes).

Thanks if possible, but if too complicated I just might as well give up completely(?)...

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[wither 3]

Just so you know, I'm not an expert. Have you tried running CHKDSK C: /F /R from the Command Prompt. Win update won't work since there's no available files online.

 

[lmacri]

This machine/OS has been giving me sone screwy problems (sys restore not working, win update was giving quite a few problems, even some of the tools were acting like portions of the programs were corrupted). I tried sfc but it found nothing.

Hi VistaHome32:

Microsoft deactivated their Windows Update servers for Win XP and Vista on 03-Aug-2020, and the Microsoft support article Windows Update SHA-1 Based Endpoints Discontinued for Older Windows Devices includes examples of error messages you will typically see if you try to run Windows Update on a Vista SP2 machine after that date. This means you can no longer use Windows Update to patch a Vista SP2 OS that is missing security updates released before the end of extended support on 11-Apr-2017, and any attempt to repair your Vista system files is not going to fix your Windows Update errors.

See my 12-Jan-2025 post in Vista2025's Error 80072EFE about a tool called Legacy Update that might help you patch your Vista SP2 OS to the end of extended support.

I finally found a system disk (DVD) with all the versions of Vista Ultimate, and am wondering if I can use it to FIX the files so they actually work again ... IS there a way to reinstall/repair without losing everything AND without having to a long convoluted step by step procedure

See Brink's August 2007 tutorial How To Perform a Repair Installation For Vista. I have no idea if those instructions still work in 2025 (especially the final steps that describe how to reactivate your Vista license), but see the warning at the top of that tutorial that states in part:

You must have Retail Full or Upgrade Vista installation DVD to do this....The Vista installation DVD that you use to do the repair (upgrade) install must be the same or newer version of Vista with the Windows Updates and SP level than what you currently have installed. If the DVD is a older version, then you cannot do a repair (upgrade) install with it.

If you own a second computer with a newer, supported OS I'd suggest you just move on and not waste your time trying to revive your old Vista machine. If the hardware for your Vista computer is still in good working order you might consider re-purposing it by installing a fully supported Linux distro like Linux Mint Cinnamon - see my 27-Jun-2025 post in ljubisa86's BSOD when upgrading XP to Vista for more information.

 

[wither 3]

Now there's a real expert.
Nice description.

 

[Vistaar]

...If you own a second computer with a newer, supported OS I'd suggest you just move on and not waste your time trying to revive your old Vista machine. ..

That’s some of the best advice I’ve seen at this forum in recent years. And if you don’t have a newer computer, then buy one! A Vista PC is just an old toy to tinker with. I’m not sure why Imacri thinks VistaHome32 needs a link for that Legacy Update hack though, considering that security updates from previous decades are worthless now. I don’t think it even existed when Imacri had a Vista system to update, and I don’t know of any Vista user who has reported success with it.

 

[wither 3]

I don't think "A Vista Pc is just an old toy to tinker with". I do anything I need to with it. Of course, I no longer have an up to date anti-virus and a lot of my programs have updates that I can't install.