"The specified domain either does not exist or could not be contacted."

CAG79 · Jul 30, 2011

OK, great!
Please humor me, as I don't think I'm as technologically advanced as some of you may be!
How do I go about obtaining a Vista ISO file in a format I could use to do this?

(BTW, my ultimate goal is to reload Vista on to a laptop that is having numerous Windows problems. I want to just totally dump the computer and reinstall, but this computer doesn't have a working DVD drive, so that's why I'm wanting to use the thumb drive to reinstall.)

Any and all suggestions are GREATLY appreciated!
Thanks!
CGM

Continued from: http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/181538-usb-bootable-vista-installation-flash-thumb-drive-20.html

Brink · Jul 30, 2011

Re: USB Bootable Vista Installation Flash Thumb Drive

CGM,

You can get one from purchasing a legal retail copy of Vista and creating one from the installation DVD on another computer since you do not have a DVD drive, or purchase a subscription to TechNet and download the Vista ISO file.

What did you use previously to install Vista with on your computer? Could you not use the same?

CAG79 · Jul 31, 2011

Re: USB Bootable Vista Installation Flash Thumb Drive

Thanks for the info. Was hoping it was a free download..
The computer came with Vista installed on it when we bought it about 3 years ago... Didn't get a disc with it.
C-

Brink · Jul 31, 2011

Re: USB Bootable Vista Installation Flash Thumb Drive

If it's a store bought OEM computer, then you should have a factory recovery/restore partition on the HDD that is used to reinstall Vista with. What brand is your computer, and is it a laptop or desktop? I'll be happy to see if I can find the instructions on how to do a factory recovery for your brand.

CAG79 · Jul 31, 2011

Re: USB Bootable Vista Installation Flash Thumb Drive

Wow, Brink! That would be awesome!
We bought it through Dell.com and it's a Dell XPS M1530 laptop. Any other specs you need?
Thanks so much!
CGM

Brink · Jul 31, 2011

Re: USB Bootable Vista Installation Flash Thumb Drive

Here's the link from Dell on how to. Be sure to backup anything that you do not want to lose first.

Restoring Your Computer´s Software to the Factory Settings | Dell

CAG79 · Jul 31, 2011

Re: USB Bootable Vista Installation Flash Thumb Drive

OK, so I pressed F8 while the computer was starting and then selected "Repair Your Computer" as described in Step 3 on the link you sent me.
It never gave me the option to select the language, as it says it will in Step 4 (not a big deal because it was in English anyway).
Then, the only user it had for me to log on as was "Other User." This is not the name of any user profile we have on this computer. If I click "other user" it asks me to input a user name and password, and when I entered the user name and password we use, I get a message that says "The specified domain either does not exist or could not be contacted." There's a red circle with a white X in it to the left of the message, and an "OK" button I can click below that takes me back to the screen where I'd have to enter a user name a password.
Thoughts or suggestions?
Thanks!

Brink · Jul 31, 2011

Re: USB Bootable Vista Installation Flash Thumb Drive

CGM,

A factory restore will restore Vista to how it was when the laptop first came out of the box. When it's finished restoring, you most likely will not have a password until you create one for the user account that was setup during the restoration process.

CAG79 · Jul 31, 2011

Re: USB Bootable Vista Installation Flash Thumb Drive

OK, but I don't know how to log in after I select "Repair Your Computer."
The only option it gives me to log in is "other user." The user profile we usually use to log on that has administrator privileges isn't there as an option.

Brink · Jul 31, 2011

Re: USB Bootable Vista Installation Flash Thumb Drive

Start Vista, log into your administrator account, create a new administrator account with a password, and log into the new user account. Next, try doing the factory recovery using the new administrator account's username and password.

CAG79 · Jul 31, 2011

Re: USB Bootable Vista Installation Flash Thumb Drive

Hi, Brink.
OK, same thing where I couldn't log on.
I logged on using our normal account which has admin privileges. I created a new administrator account, then shut the computer down.
Started it up, pressing F8 to get to the repair sequence. Selected Repair Computer, but it takes me to a screen where the only icon I can select is for "other user." I select it, input the user name and password I just created, and it gives me the same "The specified domain either does not exist or could not be contacted" message.

I found this online where folks have described the same problem:
Receiving Message "The specified domain either does not exist or - Microsoft Answers

Could the message I'm getting be the same? Do you know anything about it?

Thanks!

Brink · Jul 31, 2011

Re: USB Bootable Vista Installation Flash Thumb Drive

Did you log on to the new account before restarting the computer to do the factory restore? The new account is not actually setup and created until you log into it the first time.

CAG79 · Jul 31, 2011

Re: USB Bootable Vista Installation Flash Thumb Drive

Yes, I did.
Still the only option for me to log in as is "other user."

Brink · Jul 31, 2011

It wouldn't hurt to use the free Microsoft Standalone System Sweeper on a USB flash drive, boot from it, and do a thorough scan of your system a few times to see if it may me a virus as it was for one person in the link you posted above.

CAG79 · Jul 31, 2011

OK, well this computer for sure has viruses, malware, etc.
So, I'll try to scan it with the Standalone System Sweeper. If the log-in problem is caused by a virus, then the sweeper could potentially get rid of it and then I'd be able to log in to run the recovery?

Brink · Jul 31, 2011

That's the plan to hopefully have happen if that's the case.

CAG79 · Aug 1, 2011

OK awesome.
After I use the USB as the Standalone, will I then be able to reformat it to use as a regular thumb drive?
Thanks!

Brink · Aug 1, 2011

Yes, you sure can.

CAG79 · Aug 1, 2011

And the verdict is....
it didn't work!

It booted from the USB drive and scanned without a problem, finding a repairing several viruses or malware. I scanned again to make sure it didn't come up with anything else.
Switched the BIOS back to boot from the hard drive, and the same thing happened when I tried to go through the repair sequence-- still only gives me the option log on as "other user."
Also, now I can only log on in safe mode, but it won't start up in normal mode.
Any suggestions on what to try next?

Thanks!

Brink · Aug 2, 2011

Ok. It was worth a try. Seems like you got a hold of something real nasty.

While in safe mode, see if you may be able to do a system restore using the oldest restore point listed.

"The specified domain either does not exist or could not be contacted."

My Computer

My Computers

My Computer

My Computers

My Computer

My Computers

My Computer

My Computers

My Computer

My Computers

My Computer

My Computers

My Computer

My Computers

My Computer

My Computers

My Computer

My Computers

My Computer

My Computers