Re-Installing vista help

[Brianskatesbath]

I was thinking about re-installing vista to fix my blue screen problems, and a few other problems that have been going on with my computer lately. I have the installation disc for the same os I'm using now 32 bit vista home premium.

If i create a partition in my hard drive and put the folder/files/media i want to KEEP on that partition and reinstall on my current one. will they the files be accessible and i can just copy them back to the new re-installed vista?

If this is possible please tell me step by step on how to do this. I'm pretty nooby at these sort of things and i REALLY don't wanna screw up. Thanks

Oh and if this works when I'm on my re-installed os, i just to go start>computer>and my new partition should be there right? wait...idk know how to create a partition lols please help

Oh (sorry all these thoughts are coming to me just now) how long with this take? like a few hours? a day? 2 days? i don't know anything

 

[evilhugbear]

so you want to make a partition to backup your files, and then reinstall vista on the partition vista is on now?

 

[Dwarf]

Hi Brian,

Try a http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/88236-repair-install-vista.html

 

[Brianskatesbath]

Hi Brian,

Try a http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/88236-repair-install-vista.html

wow thanks for all of the fast replies! and yes I'll try this

 

[Brianskatesbath]

yes evilhugbear is correct:
my cd with the Vista Home premium 32 bit is the one that came with my computer. it's a gateway. So i can't do a repair..or atleast i don't think so. When i put the disk in it it only gave me 2 options upgrade or install and the upgrade was grayed out...no repair but will my first plan still work? thanks

i forgot using this link: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/1033/ordermedia/default.mspx i'm pretty sure i can get the 64 bit disc of vista for free (just pay shipping) sooo...will my plan work with that? make a partition put files i need there, install 64 bit vista using that disc on current partition then put the files back on ?
Please reply, this is pretty important not only am i doing this because I'm getting 6GB in RAM but also it will most likely fix my BSOD i keep getting

Thanks

 

[Brianskatesbath]

Fine, I'll make it more simple...if i have 2 partitions one with backup files, and one is my current one. I re-install vista on the current one. WILL THE BACKUP FILES FROM THE OTHER PARTITION BE DELETED?

that would be all, thanks

 

[Brianskatesbath]

If nobody can answer my question could you atleast tell me how to make a partition? Then i'll find out from somewhere else if it will be deleted after i reinstall vista?

 

[Dwarf]

Hi Brian,

I have just had another read of this thread, and I think that the easiest thing to do would be to copy the folder/files/media that you want to keep to an external device such as an external HDD or a USB memory stick. Don't forget to check that they have copied correctly. You can then reinstall Vista and then copy the above folder(s) back when completed.

You can, if you wish, create a new partition on your HDD (see http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/95398-disk-management-shrink-partition.html), and use that instead.

Did you boot to your DVD or did you run it from within Vista? For the upgrade option to be selectable, you need to run it from within Vista (i.e. insert the disk just as you would if you were installing a game or application). The fact that the option was there but not selectable is leading me to think this.

From http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/88236-repair-install-vista.html

 

[SIW2]

Hi Brian,

I believe MS only send alternate media for a nominal fee if you have purchased the full retail packaged version - not if you have an oem preinstall.

If you had a proper installation dvd, you would be able to reinstall Vista on one partition , and leave other partitions untouched.

However - it is difficult to know how your Gateway dvd will work. Often a disc provided by the manufacturer is very different from an MS installation dvd - and will only return your pc to the exact state you received it.

It varies from one manufacturer to another - even between ranges.

Does it give any installation instructions in the manual ?

If not, you could visit the Gateway website and track down the reinstall instructions for your machine there.

These tutorials show how to partition your hard drive:

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/95418-disk-management-delete-extend.html

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/95398-disk-management-shrink-partition.html

The safest way is to copy to an external HD as Dwarf mentioned.

Hope it helps

 

[Brianskatesbath]

Hi Brian,

I believe MS only send alternate media for a nominal fee if you have purchased the full retail packaged version - not if you have an oem preinstall.

If you had a proper installation dvd, you would be able to reinstall Vista on one partition , and leave other partitions untouched.

However - it is difficult to know how your Gateway dvd will work. Often a disc provided by the manufacturer is very different from an MS installation dvd - and will only return your pc to the exact state you received it.

It varies from one manufacturer to another - even between ranges.

Does it give any installation instructions in the manual ?

If not, you could visit the Gateway website and track down the reinstall instructions for your machine there.

These tutorials show how to partition your hard drive:

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/95418-disk-management-delete-extend.html

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/95398-disk-management-shrink-partition.html

The safest way is to copy to an external HD as Dwarf mentioned.

Hope it helps

Thanks, EXACTLY what i wanted to know all if it

I'll contact Best buy where i bought the computer they might be able to tell me if the disk will or will not delete the other partition(s)

Oh and have you ever used MOZY or known anybody to use it? maybe i could upload thing there..re-install then get my files back