Can i reinstall vista with old one on and still access my files and docs

[sdarley]

Hello, long story guys.
I had a virus which was hard to get rid and i think i managed it, then i tried to install a achitecture program but couldnt see activation screen so got told about these methods. Any way after do them i shut laptop down and restarted and can up with error couldnt start due to changes in hardware or softeware.

So i ran a recovery disc because vista was preinstalled. And now i get a black sceen with mouse pointer before windows logo. This happens in safe mode too.
But i have a lot of work that isnt backed up.

Can i reintall vista so it doesnt overwrite the old one and still have access to my files so i can back up.

Thanks guys.

 

[richc46]

Yes you can do an upgrade install or a repair install.
A repair you will boot to the OS
An upgrade you boot to the DVD

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/88236-repair-install-vista.html?filter[11]=Performance Maintenance

Although a clean install is best, you will lose your programs etc.

My adivice is bite the bullet and do a clean install and back up.
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/68767-clean-install-upgrade-vista.html?ltr=C

 

[sdarley]

But if i do a clean install ill loose all my work wont i?
I read about a program called robocopy or knoppix is it worth using them before i do a clean install?

 

[Shadowjk]

I would backup All your Work Manually Before Hand on an External HDD and then Write a List of all your Programs that your Use Often and the Websites you get them For

The Best way to keep out of trouble is a Clean Install but if you would like to keep all your Programs and Files without doing a backup then Please do a Repair Install or a Custom Install

Many Thanks,
Josh

 

[richc46]

As I have said and Josh has agreed, it is your choice. Have the OS working as expected, but have a little more difficulty installing
or
Go the easy route and be back with problems

An upgrade keeps all the old problems; virus, malware, etc. Its like a car that has been washed, painted and detailed. It looks great and you are proud, but under the hood its the same car with all the problems.
Most of the senior staff would agree with everything said.

 

[sdarley]

oh yeah i want to do a clean install but just want to clarify that i can still retrieve my docs before hand. because at the minute im stuck on black screen of death and cannot get in to explore and copy my files to external hd. So just want to know how to get my files before the clean install. Because am i right in thinking that the clean install will format my hd too?

 

[Shadowjk]

Yes there are ways you can use Command Prompt but this is Advanced (Last Resort)

Can you boot into Safe Mode

See http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/123496-safe-mode.html?ltr=S For More Information

Hope This Helps,
Josh

 

[sdarley]

no josh just get the same black screen of death with a pointer, so thats why i need to get into the system to get the files before installing. Thanks for the suggestion anyway

 

[Lorien]

You can use Knoppix http://www.knopper.net/knoppix/index-en.html with a good ISO copier like: http://isorecorder.alexfeinman.com/isorecorder.htm along with a blank CD and then boot to it (make it on another computer that works and has a CD burner and an internet connection). This should give you enough access to the system (if you can't get in any other way) to backup your important data. If that doesn’t work, try slaving the drive to another computer and recovering the data using that other computer to access the disk. Of course, you need someplace to put the data, but that's up to you as we don't know what you have.

Once done, you can do a clean install either using the genuine Windows Vista Installation Disk or the Recovery Disk or the Recovery Partition (whatever process is dictated by your computer manufacturer – you may need to contact them for the procedure and perhaps to get recovery disks). To do a clean install proceed as follows: http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/winvista_install_03.asp (adapted as necessary by the procedures of your computer manufacturer). If given the option, select a full format of the drive rather than a quick format. Then you will need to re-install all your programs, reset all your preferences, reconfigure your network and email settings, restore your backed up data, run Windows Update with possibly nearly 150 updates pending,...

I hope this helps.

Good luck!

 

[Shadowjk]

You can use a LIVE CD TO boot into Linux OS and Transfer your Files but this will need another Computer are you able to Get to another Computer with Internet Access?

Many Thanks,
Josh

 

[sdarley]

yeah im on my personal one now which would be better knoppix or the lunux one?

 

[richc46]

Use Ubuntu Live CD to Backup Files from Your Dead Windows Computer - How-To Geek

 

[sdarley]

ok im downloading that now. anything i should know about it or just follow the instructions on their webpage?

 

[richc46]

If that is aimed at me, I have never done it myself. I have suggested it to others, they followed the instructions and saved their documents.

 

[sdarley]

ok cool thx rich. and once i have done that, can i then do a fresh install of vista from the recovery disc or do i need the full genuine cd?
Sorry about all these questions by the way.

 

[Lorien]

The recovery disk will be fine assuming you mean the Recovery Disk provided by the manufacturer.

 

[richc46]

The recovery CD will bring you back to factory specs. The way it was when you bought the computer. No SP, and bloatware etc

or

You can spend over $100 and buy Windows 7. I dont think you can buy Vista at legit sources anymore.

Dont be sorry about the questions. Either I answer quetsions or I sit here wondering why am I here.

 

[sdarley]

Nearly fininshed dling. So im guessing this will install itself as a seperate os and still allow me to access files from the hd then?

 

[richc46]

That is the way it should work.

 

[sdarley]

there is no option to install along side other os, so shall i click specify partictions manually?