Okay, I hope someone can help me with this, I'm seriously stuck...due to my own stupidity. I can't even pin point what the problem IS.
So whereas I'm no where NEAR a computer expert, I don't think I'm a total noob. "Average" would cover it I guess? I can follow Instructions and that's about it.
So my problem is this:
First my specs <also in my profile>
Windows Vista x64 Home Premium Sp2
Manufacturer: MESH Computers
Processor: Intel (R) Core (TM)2 Quad CPU Q9550 @ 2.83GHz 2.83GHz
RAM: 8.00GB
System Type: 64bit Operating System
Graphics Card: Nvidia GeForce 9800GTX/9800GTX+
1tb roughly HD space.
My computer was working fine, there was a few problems with a couple of games aaaand seen as my hard drive was filled with photos/programs/folders whose original purpose is long lost on me, I figured I'd go for a clean install, or restore the computer to it's factory settings.
Now LAST time I did this (last year sometime) I didn't have to go looking for the option, a failed update had prevented Vista from starting and Restoring the OS via the system recovery was the only option.
This time however, I couldn't figure out how to do it from a perfectly working computer. But I DID have a "External Recovery" disc that came with the computer. So, not thinking I used this disc. Put it in the machine, looked at the options, saw a "Install Vista" & a "This will re-write your other windows files" or something to that effect and thinking it was the right one, I used it. Possibly not looking to hard at the other steps (possibly my big mistake) It installed no problem anywho.
Upon loading up this "clean" install, I noticed the same amount of HD space taken up as there was before and a windows.old folder with all my old programs and such in it. There was no internet connection detected either, despite all other computers in the house having no trouble with finding a connection, this clean install of Vista just couldn't detect it. No flash and such either etc.
So I found a WindowsHelp site that told me how to restore the Windows.old files.
How to restore a computer to a previous Windows installation after you install Windows Vista <-- This one.
I thought it would solve my problem, it seemed to work. But again, upon loading the old version up, I found problems. A LOT of programs didn't work or were missing all together. When I tried using them errors would pop up. For example..
When trying to run the Windows Live Messenger Download "http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkId=68748" Application not found."
When clicking on system restore: "'Windows cannot find C:\windows\system32\rstrui.exe' Make sure you typed the file name correctly and try again"
Downloading programs doesn't work either ]: It comes up with a "Launch Application" box.
There is a internet connection there, but I can run very few programs now. Firefox, Photoshop and the Steam client. That's about it but it's more then I could do on the clean one.
There are two versions of Vista on the system now. The "old" one and the "Clean" one. I can't log onto the clean one, I put in the password and as soon as I press enter, it logs out? I don't know why that started to happen. I have to choose which one I want when I boot the computer up. The old one being 'Microsoft Windows Vista' or the clean one being 'Windows Vista (TM) Home Premium.
I'm at a complete and utter loss as to what to do. Is there anything? Is it possible to delete the clean one and fix the old one? Any advice would be welcomed, Thank you. Sorry if this was confusing.
So whereas I'm no where NEAR a computer expert, I don't think I'm a total noob. "Average" would cover it I guess? I can follow Instructions and that's about it.
So my problem is this:
First my specs <also in my profile>
Windows Vista x64 Home Premium Sp2
Manufacturer: MESH Computers
Processor: Intel (R) Core (TM)2 Quad CPU Q9550 @ 2.83GHz 2.83GHz
RAM: 8.00GB
System Type: 64bit Operating System
Graphics Card: Nvidia GeForce 9800GTX/9800GTX+
1tb roughly HD space.
My computer was working fine, there was a few problems with a couple of games aaaand seen as my hard drive was filled with photos/programs/folders whose original purpose is long lost on me, I figured I'd go for a clean install, or restore the computer to it's factory settings.
Now LAST time I did this (last year sometime) I didn't have to go looking for the option, a failed update had prevented Vista from starting and Restoring the OS via the system recovery was the only option.
This time however, I couldn't figure out how to do it from a perfectly working computer. But I DID have a "External Recovery" disc that came with the computer. So, not thinking I used this disc. Put it in the machine, looked at the options, saw a "Install Vista" & a "This will re-write your other windows files" or something to that effect and thinking it was the right one, I used it. Possibly not looking to hard at the other steps (possibly my big mistake) It installed no problem anywho.
Upon loading up this "clean" install, I noticed the same amount of HD space taken up as there was before and a windows.old folder with all my old programs and such in it. There was no internet connection detected either, despite all other computers in the house having no trouble with finding a connection, this clean install of Vista just couldn't detect it. No flash and such either etc.
So I found a WindowsHelp site that told me how to restore the Windows.old files.
How to restore a computer to a previous Windows installation after you install Windows Vista <-- This one.
I thought it would solve my problem, it seemed to work. But again, upon loading the old version up, I found problems. A LOT of programs didn't work or were missing all together. When I tried using them errors would pop up. For example..
When trying to run the Windows Live Messenger Download "http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkId=68748" Application not found."
When clicking on system restore: "'Windows cannot find C:\windows\system32\rstrui.exe' Make sure you typed the file name correctly and try again"
Downloading programs doesn't work either ]: It comes up with a "Launch Application" box.
There is a internet connection there, but I can run very few programs now. Firefox, Photoshop and the Steam client. That's about it but it's more then I could do on the clean one.
There are two versions of Vista on the system now. The "old" one and the "Clean" one. I can't log onto the clean one, I put in the password and as soon as I press enter, it logs out? I don't know why that started to happen. I have to choose which one I want when I boot the computer up. The old one being 'Microsoft Windows Vista' or the clean one being 'Windows Vista (TM) Home Premium.
I'm at a complete and utter loss as to what to do. Is there anything? Is it possible to delete the clean one and fix the old one? Any advice would be welcomed, Thank you. Sorry if this was confusing.
My Computer
System One
-
- Manufacturer/Model
- MESH Computers
- CPU
- Intel(r) Core(tm)2 quad CPU @ 2.83GHZ
- Memory
- 8.00GB
- Graphics card(s)
- Nvidia Geforce 9800 GTX/9800 GTX+
- Screen Resolution
- 1920x1200
- Hard Drives
- 894gb
