Windows Vista Repair install?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Mike
  • Start date Start date
Re: Repair install?


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.


--
barman58

Regards,
*Nigel*
the beginning of knowledge is the discovery of something we do not
understand.,- frank herbert
 
Re: Repair install?

"Mike" <mikey117@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:utpQiRmJJHA.4672@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
>I am running Vista Home Premium & can't get the thing to boot to Windows.
> I might get as far as the progress bar running across the bottom of the
> screen, but it will inevitably reboot, never getting all the was to the
> log in screen.
> I have been trying various restore points after booting from the DVD &
> selecting the Repair My Computer option, but none of them has worked.
> Is there a repair install option?
> I have an OEM version & there seems to be mixed answers out there.
>


Try the procedure here:

http://blogs.technet.com/askcore/archive/2007/12/18/using-system-file-checker-sfc-to-fix-issues.aspx

It's not a repair install. Vista doesn't have this repair option available.
This is about as close as you can get to an XP repair install. You can boot
from a Vista DVD and run an offline sfc scan.

--
Kerry Brown
MS-MVP - Windows Desktop Experience: Systems Administration
http://www.vistahelp.ca/phpBB2/
http://vistahelpca.blogspot.com/
 
Re: Repair install?

"pooch" <guest@unknown-email.com> wrote in message
news:e1589403bb05aa2a2f3e10ebe6ec38d0@nntp-gateway.com...
>
> Hey Mike
> Can you boot into safe mode??
>
>
> --
> pooch

No.
 
Re: Repair install?

"Kerry Brown" <kerry@kdbNOSPAMsys-tems.c*a*m> wrote in message
news:uM58rGwJJHA.1156@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
> "Mike" <mikey117@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:utpQiRmJJHA.4672@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
>>I am running Vista Home Premium & can't get the thing to boot to Windows.
>> I might get as far as the progress bar running across the bottom of the
>> screen, but it will inevitably reboot, never getting all the was to the
>> log in screen.
>> I have been trying various restore points after booting from the DVD &
>> selecting the Repair My Computer option, but none of them has worked.
>> Is there a repair install option?
>> I have an OEM version & there seems to be mixed answers out there.
>>
>
>
> Try the procedure here:
>
> http://blogs.technet.com/askcore/archive/2007/12/18/using-system-file-checker-sfc-to-fix-issues.aspx
>
> It's not a repair install. Vista doesn't have this repair option
> available. This is about as close as you can get to an XP repair install.
> You can boot from a Vista DVD and run an offline sfc scan.
>
> --
> Kerry Brown
> MS-MVP - Windows Desktop Experience: Systems Administration
> http://www.vistahelp.ca/phpBB2/
> http://vistahelpca.blogspot.com/
>

I tried running SFC.EXE /scannow /offbootdir:c:\ /offwindir=c:\windows like
the page said, but I just get what looks like a help file on the command,
listing all the various ways it can be ran, etc.
 
Re: Repair install?


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!!:D

I hope this helps

Pooch


--
pooch
 
Re: Repair install?

"pooch" <guest@unknown-email.com> wrote in message
news:181fc90ac570f05c20598caa9d5ce149@nntp-gateway.com...
>
> 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!!:D
>
> I hope this helps
>
> Pooch
>
>
> --
> pooch

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!
 
Re: Repair install?


Mike;854049 Wrote:
> "pooch" <guest@xxxxxx-email.com> wrote in message
> news:181fc90ac570f05c20598caa9d5ce149@xxxxxx-gateway.com...> > >
> > >
> > > 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!!:D
> > >
> > > I hope this helps
> > >
> > > Pooch
> > >
> > >
> > > --
> > > pooch > > 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:D :D :D


--
SIW2
 
Re: Repair install?

"Mike" <mikey117@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:OJpQVx2JJHA.1736@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
> "Kerry Brown" <kerry@kdbNOSPAMsys-tems.c*a*m> wrote in message
> news:uM58rGwJJHA.1156@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
>> "Mike" <mikey117@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>> news:utpQiRmJJHA.4672@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
>>>I am running Vista Home Premium & can't get the thing to boot to Windows.
>>> I might get as far as the progress bar running across the bottom of the
>>> screen, but it will inevitably reboot, never getting all the was to the
>>> log in screen.
>>> I have been trying various restore points after booting from the DVD &
>>> selecting the Repair My Computer option, but none of them has worked.
>>> Is there a repair install option?
>>> I have an OEM version & there seems to be mixed answers out there.
>>>
>>
>>
>> Try the procedure here:
>>
>> http://blogs.technet.com/askcore/archive/2007/12/18/using-system-file-checker-sfc-to-fix-issues.aspx
>>
>> It's not a repair install. Vista doesn't have this repair option
>> available. This is about as close as you can get to an XP repair install.
>> You can boot from a Vista DVD and run an offline sfc scan.
>>
>> --
>> Kerry Brown
>> MS-MVP - Windows Desktop Experience: Systems Administration
>> http://www.vistahelp.ca/phpBB2/
>> http://vistahelpca.blogspot.com/
>>
>
> I tried running SFC.EXE /scannow /offbootdir:c:\ /offwindir=c:\windows
> like the page said, but I just get what looks like a help file on the
> command, listing all the various ways it can be ran, etc.
>


The switches may be specific to SP1. I'm not sure. They work in Server 2008
which is equivalent to Vista SP1. Does the DVD have SP1?

--
Kerry Brown
MS-MVP - Windows Desktop Experience: Systems Administration
http://www.vistahelp.ca/phpBB2/
http://vistahelpca.blogspot.com/
 
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