Repair Install For Vista

How To Perform a Repair Installation For Vista​

   Information

This will allow you to repair your Vista installation and keep all of your personal user account files, settings, and programs. You will be performing a Upgrade Install from within your currently running Vista.

You will have to use the exact same Vista installation media type that you currently have installed.

   Note

• You will not be able to do a upgrade install in Safe Mode.
• You must have Retail Full or Upgrade Vista installation DVD to do this. Some people have had problems with a Full version letting them do a upgrade install though.
• A OEM (retail version) Vista installation DVD that you buy at a store and does not come with the computer are usually the same as a regular retail (full or upgrade) Vista installation DVD, but have a OEM license (product key number) instead of a retail license (product key number).
• If you have a OEM Recovery Vista installation DVD that came preinstalled with your OEM brand computer instead, then it will most likely only be a clone of the hard drive with Vista allowing you to only do a clean install with it instead. These OEM computers often have a Recovery D:\ partition that does the same thing as the OEM Recovery Vista installation DVD.
• If you have a Anytime Upgrade Vista installation DVD, then you will not be able to do this.
• The Vista installation DVD that you use to do the repair (upgrade) install must be the same or newer version of Vista with the Windows Updates and SP level than what you currently have installed. If the DVD is a older version, then you cannot do a repair (upgrade) install with it.
• IF YOU HAVE THE VISTA SP1 INSTALLED:
  • This will not work if you have SP1 installed unless your Vista installation DVD includes the SP1, or you create a Vista SP1 slipstream installation DVD (See below). When the SP1 is installed, it will give Vista a newer version number than what is on the original Vista installation DVD.
  • You can only do a Upgrade install if the currently installed Vista is the same or older version than what is on the Vista installation DVD.
  • To create a Vista SP1 slipstream installation DVD to use to do a Repair (upgrade) install, see: How to Create a Vista SP1 Slipstream Installation DVD. Note that this does not always work to use for a Repair install.
  • Another option is to uninstall the Vista SP1, then run the Repair install and install the SP1 again afterwards. To uninstall the SP1, see: Microsoft Help and Support: How to uninstall Windows Vista SP1 as a troubleshooting step
• IF YOU HAVE THE VISTA SP2 INSTALLED:
  • This will not work if you have SP1 and SP2 installed unless your Vista installation DVD includes SP2.
  • To create a Vista SP2 slipstream installation DVD to use to do a Repair (upgrade) install, see: How to Slipstream Vista SP2. Note that this does not always work to use for a Repair install.
• Be sure to backup any important data you have, just in case something goes wrong during installation. You may need to reinstall some of your drivers. You do not want to do this if you are dual booting with XP and Vista was not installed as the primary boot drive. It can cause XP to not startup anymore.

   Tip

If you are have installation error problems, then see:

• Windows Help and Support: KB935806 Troubleshooting Stop error messages that may occur when you try to install Windows Vista
• Windows Help and Support: KB929777 Error message when you try to install Windows Vista on a computer that uses more than 3 GB of RAM: "STOP 0x0000000A"

   Warning

If you changed the default location of the Program Files or Programs Files (x86) folder, then you will need to change it back to the C: drive, and change any shortcuts that pointed to the other location to also point to the C: drive before doing a repair install.

ITEMS THAT WILL BE RESET TO DEFAULT:

• Computer Sound Event Scheme
• Vista Services
• Visual Effects Options
• Windows Mail - To Save and Restore your messages and settings, see the section: How to Backup and Reset Windows Mail
• Device Drivers - Be sure to have these handy to reinstall. They do not always remain after the repair (upgrade) install.

Here's How:

   Note

• If Vista is still not working properly afterwards, then a Clean Install would be recommended.
• You may need to reinstall some of your drivers after the Repair (upgrade) install.
• You will not be able to do a upgrade install in Safe Mode.

1. While logged in Vista as an administrator, insert the Vista installation DVD into the DVD drive, or connect a Vista installation USB thumb/key drive.

WARNING: Do not boot the computer and run the Vista installation DVD from boot. A upgrade install will not work this way.

   Note

If you do not have a Vista with SP1 installation DVD/USB, then you can download an official Vista with SP1 ISO file here: Microsoft: Vista Direct Download Links, and use Windows 7 USB-DVD Download Tool to create a bootable DVD or USB flash drive with the ISO to do the repair install.

2. Click on Install Now to start the upgrade. (See screenshot below)

NOTE: If AutoPlay does not load the Vista setup screen, then open your DVD drive in Computer and click on the Setup file.

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3. If you want Vista to check for updates during the installation, then click on that to select it. (See screenshot below)

NOTE: It will install faster if you select Do not get the latest updates for installation. You can install them later through Windows Update.

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4. Do not type in a product key. (See screenshot below)

WARNING: If you do type in the same activated product key that you already have installed, then you can end up in Reduced Functionality Mode.



5. Leave the Automatically activate Windows when I'm online box unchecked.



6. Click on Next.

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7. Click on the No button for the Do you want to enter your product key now? prompt. (See screenshot below)

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8. Select which edition of Vista you have. (See screenshot below)



9. Check the I have selected the edition of Windows that I purchased box and click on Next. (See screenshot below)

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10. Click on the Upgrade option. (See screenshot below)

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11. Follow any instructions left until Vista is through installing and has rebooted to the final welcome screen on the Vista desktop.



12. Remove the Vista installation DVD.



13. Check to see if any files are missing. If so look in the bolded files shown in step 14 below to see if they are in there. You can then just copy them back.



14. Run Disk Cleanup.

A) If listed, check Files discarded by Windows upgrade. (See screenshot below)​

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NOTE: These will be the leftover upgrade files, C:\Windows.old, C:\$INPLACE.~TR and C:\$WINDOWS.~Q, that did not get copied over. If any personal username files are missing, it would be in these folders.​

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B) Click on OK to delete it.​

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15. Now all you need to do is to activate Vista.

A) Right click on Computer (Start Menu) and click on Properties, or open the Control Panel (Classic View) and click on the System icon.​

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B) Scroll down a bit and click on: Activate Windows Now. (See screenshot below)​

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That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

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• How to Do a Clean Install of Vista with a Upgrade Version
• How to Do a Clean Install with a Full Version of Vista
• How to Repair and Verify the Integrity of Vista System Files with System File Checker
• How to Extract Files from the Vista Installation DVD
• How to Use the Memory Diagnostics Tool in Vista
• How to Do a Startup Repair in Vista
• How to Reset a User Account Password in Vista
• How to Generate a System Health Report in Vista
• How to Troubleshoot the Computer with Reliability Monitor in Vista
• How to Run Check Disk at Startup in Vista
• How to Do a System Restore in Vista
• How to Use the DirectX Diagnostic Tool in Vista
• How to Fix a Crashing Internet Explorer in Vista
• How to Get Out of Reduced Functionality Mode in Vista
• How to Restore Previous Versions of a File and Folder in Vista
• How to Start Vista in Safe Mode
• Cannot Rename or Move a File or Folder in Vista Fix
• How to Create a Vista Recovery Disc
• How to Create a Vista SP1 Slipstream Installation DVD
• How to Slipstream Vista SP2
• How to Restore Missing Default Start Menu Shortcuts in Vista
• How to Restore TrustedInstaller as Owner of a File in Vista
• How to Do a Custom Installation of Vista

 

[Brink]

Hello Daryl,

If you did a phone activation, what did MS tell you for why they will not activate it for you.

 

[rosede]

Hello Daryl,

If you did a phone activation, what did MS tell you for why they will not activate it for you.

Yes, I tried phone activation, I tried customer service, I tried the activation department, around and around we go, where we'll stop, nobody knows. :D

Seriously, When I use the phone activation, I get through the first group of numbers/characters just fine, but the second group I keep getting, "Sorry, I didn't understand that". No matter how many times I speak it, input it in with my key pad, etc... I get the same response.

I called customer service and they tell me I have to call the activation department. Activation department tells me to call back customer service to verify my product key. I get it verified, and sent back to the activation department, and they tell me they can't activate the product because its for upgrade only.

I have 10 days left on this install. Can I upgrade this to Windows 7? Perhaps that is the only avenue that I have available.

Thoughts?

Daryl

 

[Brink]

Daryl,

If you decide to go with a upgrade Windows 7, then yes you can upgrade your Vista to it. However, a clean install would be best.

Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version - Windows 7 Forums

or

Clean Install Windows 7 - Windows 7 Forums


For now, you can extend the grace period for you Vista up to 120 days before it must be activated to help out until you get it activated or if you decide to install Windows 7 later.

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/66990-activation-extend-trial-period.html

 

[rosede]

Thanks Brink.

I'll read over the tutorials and figure out which direction I want to go.

I'll let you know how it turns out.

Daryl

 

[Brink]

You're welcome Daryl.

 

[caeebe]

My computer has not been able to use Windows updates since May and I have found that I have some corrupted files. Using your tutorials I have finally managed a chkdsk (which recovered data I thought I had lost) and a sfc which fixed a few of my system files (not all). However, I still cannot use windows update.

On my Dell computer I run Windows Vista Home Premium, 32bit, which came with my computer along with a recovery partition. I had upgraded to SP1 but not SP2 when updates stopped working. I have had troubles finding Vista installation DVDs and my brother-in-law finally sent me a 32bit Installation dvd with Service Pack 2.

I followed your tutorial for the repair install and the Upgrade option was grayed out. It said I must have SP2 installed in order to perform an upgrade. My question is can I download SP2 and install it without using Windows Updater? Or do I have to start the search again to find someone with a Vista SP1 DVD?

Thanks for your great tutorials.

 

[Brink]

Hello Caeebe, and welcome to Vista Forums.

Yes, you can try to install the standalone Vista SP2 at the link below. Hopefully you will not even need to do a repair install afterwards.

http://www.vistax64.com/windows-updates/229199-download-available-standalone-vista-sp2.html

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[caeebe]

Hello Caeebe, and welcome to Vista Forums.

Yes, you can try to install the standalone Vista SP2 at the link below. Hopefully you will not even need to do a repair install afterwards.

http://www.vistax64.com/windows-updates/229199-download-available-standalone-vista-sp2.html

Hope this helps,
Shawn

Unfortunately, I cannot install SP2, I keep getting this error: Element not found
Error: ERROR_NOT_FOUND(0x80070490)

I followed all the troubleshooting recommendations on the Microsoft website for SP2 installation errors and it still does not work. I guess I'll either have to hunt down a SP1 Installation disk or just do a clean install (or revert back to the original installation using my recovery partition).

Thanks for the great website.

 

[Brink]

You might see if what is described in the MS KB958044 article for Vista may be able to help by using the System Update Readiness Tool.

 

[caeebe]

You might see if what is described in the MS KB958044 article for Vista may be able to help by using the System Update Readiness Tool.

I had actually done this a little over a week ago with no change in how my computer runs and did it again today as it looks like they updated it this week. However it still does not change anything nor does it help me install SP2. My CheckSur.log lists 5 errors and none of them are resolved. Although the System Update Readiness Tool appears to finish working I think that it is just timing out without actually doing its job (beyond identifying whats wrong).

I'll try a Vista DVD with SP1 next and if that doesn't work I guess I'll have to do a clean install.

 

[dal987]

Hi Brink, any insights on the cause of
'Update has been disabled' 'Your Windows configuration cannot be upgraded' ?

I can't find a definition in an MS document- from one related to XP I suspect it is to do with path changes in user data areas like the start menu, desktop, My Documents etc.

My Vista is otherwise sound and clean; tried SFC /Scannow, Chkdsk, SUR tool, Win 7 upgrade checker... only WEI doesn't work as far as I know.

and that message is rarely listed on the internet, and not in a list of Upgrade error messages that I've seen.

Thanks!

 

[Brink]

Hello Dal,

What type od Vista do you have? For example, retail, OEM, Anytime upgrade, student, etc......

You might see if the Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor may be able to give you a reason why it will not let you do a upgrade install.

 

[dal987]

Hi Brink, thanks for yr reply.
It's Home Premium 32 bit preinstalled on an HP laptop, SP2 + latest hotfixes.

Vista Upgrade Advisor is no longer available - and would not connect to the internet. (Two attempts).
Maybe the service has been discontinued by MS...
Windows Upgrade Advisor for Windows Vista - Microsoft Windows
I have already tried the Win 7 upgrade advisor as above- no problems found.

What I suspect is this:
The pre-upgrade check requires quite a number of prerequisites to be true.
Failing these leads to the second message after 'Update has been disabled'.
Many of these messages are documented.
'Your Windows configuration cannot be upgraded' points to some way that a working installation is configured that prohibits upgrade.
Quite a number of tweak tools (and some professionals) support the idea of moving user data of C:\
However, unlike the XP and earlier in-place reinstall (no longer available with Vista) we are left with a much less robust upgrade/repair path.

So such user configuration may preclude any upgrade or in-place reinstall.

The designers clearly know what gives rise to this message. The difficulty lies in finding out.
After all, it's even hard finding out which log files to look at to try to interpret it.

I hope I'm wrong.. and somewhere there's an accessible specification. At present I feel like the IT equivalent of Poirot.

Maybe you have some contacts who can help?

 

[Brink]

Dal,

The issue is that you have a OEM factory recovery Vista instead. Usually you can only do a clean install with these instead. That's why you are getting that error message.

 

[dal987]

Hi Brink.. uh..sorry, I thought you meant the Vista on my PC. If only it were that simple..

What is installed on my PC is OEM pre-installed, but the DVD I'm using is not, and was separately obtained, being a full bootable Vista DVD with SP2 slipstreamed and should be able to do the in-place upgrade repair.

I have read in some places that the DVD you are using must include not only the service packs, but also the hotfixes - ie be at least the same or more recent build. Is that true?

Or can a Vista DvD with Sp2 be used to do an in-place upgrade on any SP2 Vista PC, irrespective of hotfixes?

 

[Brink]

Since the installed OS is a preinstalled OEM version, you will not be able to use a retail slipstreamed Vista DVD to do a in-place upgrade like this since they are not both the same type of Vista.

Plus, if you did a clean or custom install with the slipstreamed DVD, you will not be able to use your OEM product key number to activate it since it is not a OEM Vista copy.

 

[dal987]

Hi Brink - Ouch! I'd read of the limitations regarding the disk used to do the upgrade, but maybe missed that one.

So what you are saying is that for all the (outside the US?) owners of PCs with Vista preinstalled, who have no DVD, upgrading is not possible.. they must reinstall-

So if they want Win 7, they must do a reinstall.

Mm, if so, maybe MS wants to deter such Vista users from Win 7. That sounds somewhat contrary to their marketing policy...?

- I guess there's no chance the Vista on my PC is not OEM, is there? How can I be sure? Yes, it was preinstalled...

 

[Brink]

No, they can do a upgrade install from say Vista to Windows 7, but just not a inplace-upgrade (repair install).

 

[dal987]

Hi Brink, ah, thanks for making that clear... and yes, the installed serial no is OEM.

So that means MS has denied us both the old repair install from a Vista boot disk (which was possible with XP) AND any option of a repair install by in-place upgrade. Mmm, I wonder how long it will take the MS escalation engineer to realise this..

And it begs the question as to why the error message is so obscure..

Thanks for yr help..

 

[Brink]

You're most welcome Dal.

Yep, that's them giving you an incentive to purchase a full retail copy instead.

It's just a general "Cannot do it" error that could be caused by more than one reason than yours.