| Forum Home | ||||
| Press F1 | ||||
| Thread ID: 98984 | 2009-04-15 06:21:00 | Vista installation paradox | marksibly (14825) | Press F1 |
| Post ID | Timestamp | Content | User | ||
| 765180 | 2009-04-15 06:21:00 | Hi, I'm wanting to reinstall Vista because it's starting to get a bit flaky (Rundll32.exe seems to be missing in action which is causing all sorts of weirdness, although the OS is still sort of usable. System restore didn't help so...). However, I've run into a bit of a paradox: * If I try and install Vista from within Vista, it tells me there's not enough room for installation tools and I need to install from reboot to modify a partition. * If I try and install Vista from reboot, it tells me I must reinstall Vista from within Vista if I want to use the same product key. Gotcha! All I want to do is nuke/reinstall Vista on the same partition it currently occupies. Is there any elegant way to do this, or should I reboot into Linux or something and format the partition? Also: Will installing Vista nuke my grub OS-select-at-boot thingy? I'm guessing yes... Bye! Mark |
marksibly (14825) | ||
| 765181 | 2009-04-15 06:25:00 | Try running System file checker to repair system files first Run cmd as admin>sfc /scannow Note space between "c" and "/" It may ask for your vista cd There is also a very good guide here on performing a repair install of Vista www.vistax64.com Blam |
Blam (54) | ||
| 765182 | 2009-04-15 06:31:00 | What about a repair install? chkdsk/r | gary67 (56) | ||
| 765183 | 2009-04-15 06:32:00 | What about a repair install? chkdsk/r There's a space there btw chkdsk /r (Space between "k" and "/" |
Blam (54) | ||
| 765184 | 2009-04-15 06:33:00 | There is a way to get around the same-product-key thing, but it involves two installs. I'm not sure how the EULA likes it, but Microsoft has told customers to use it, so I guess it's alright to post. :) First, install Vista without a product key (so it's a 30 day trial), select the edition you chose, then upgrade that one instead. Presto, a clean Vista! :D |
pcuser42 (130) | ||
| 765185 | 2009-04-15 06:50:00 | Unlike XP you cant do a repair install with the OEM version of Vista You must have Retail Full or Upgrade Vista installation DVD to do this You can do what pcuserwinvista suggested, but looking at the original post you say "there's not enough room ". Your easiest bet would be to save all data from the current Vista Install, format the drive and reinstall Vista from Fresh. IF the boot loader doesn't pick up the Linux, then use something like Easybcd (neosmart.net) |
wainuitech (129) | ||
| 765186 | 2009-04-15 08:42:00 | Unlike XP you cant do a repair install with the OEM version of Vista I seriously hope this is not the case with Win7? IS it? Because that was stupid. And you can't do a reinstall from within it either. You would need to back up your stuff and do a new install. If its that badly damaged......... |
pctek (84) | ||
| 765187 | 2009-04-15 09:44:00 | I seriously hope this is not the case with Win7? IS it? Because that was stupid VERY good point - might try it tomorrow since things are light at the moment (any excuse not to do paper work):D Not holding my breath though- W7 is built from Vista: I think its the way Vista installs, not actually having the same file structure as XP, Found this from the Vista Forums There is not and will not be any repair install like there is with XP and other previous versions of Windows. When you did a repair installation, all the system files were overwritten with ones from the install disk. Everything else was left intact. This is not how Vista installs. Instead of doing file overwrites, it lays down a block by block image of the system, and any existing system folders are moved to a windows.old folder on the root. The result is a clean install versus the older overwritten files. Which = a Pain in the backside |
wainuitech (129) | ||
| 765188 | 2009-04-15 10:08:00 | First, install Vista without a product key (so it's a 30 day trial), select the edition you chose, then upgrade that one instead. Presto, a clean Vista! :D In a similar vein, I have been given a lap-top to look at where someone tried to upgrade from Vista Basic to Vista Enterprise with disasterous results. Will this solution work for me? I've got the legit key for the Basic version. |
decibel (11645) | ||
| 765189 | 2009-04-15 11:12:00 | You can install any Vista version on a PC/laptop as a trial, The upgrade to a different version may go in without the key, BUT the key you have for basic will only work/activate in Basic. The hardware and power of the laptop/PC will also dictate if some features work or not, Eg: if the spec's are to low, Aero wont work, vista turns it off. The Vista DVD you get will have all 7 versions of Vista (yes theres Seven) doesn't matter which version you purchase. The product key is what determines what version is installed, so if you purchase a basic Product key it will install basic, if you purchased an ultimate it will still install from the same DVD, but the product key tells it to install Ultimate. Doing upgrades can / IS always a bit of a gamble - its always better to do a full install, having a system that may be unstable wont be fixed by doing an upgrade - bit like building a million dollar house on shaky/ unstable foundations. |
wainuitech (129) | ||
| 1 2 3 | |||||