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.

​

​

​

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.

​

​

​

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.

​

​

​

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

​

​

​

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)

​

​

​

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

​

​

​

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)​

​

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.​

​

​

​

B) Click on OK to delete it.​

​

​

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.​

​

​

​

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

​

​

That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

---

• 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

 

[Mike Luciano]

While it was trying to finish up after entering the time, etc, I noticed an error that stated that the Windows installation was not valid. I was using a Vista Upgrade disk that I had. I wonder if that was the problem....?

From there, I decided to do a complete install, while keeping the original Windows install and user files. I don't keep much on my laptop, because I use a massive external drive, but I did want my emails. So, I copied the user files off the hard disk to save the appdata to an external drive that I have kicking around. I just did a complete restore back to day one with the Toshiba disks. Once I reinstall the few apps that should be there, I'll restore my email data and with a little bit o' luck, I should be on my way. Ugly stuff...

Thanks!

 

[Brink]

Your welcome Mike. Thank you for posting back your results. I hope the rest goes smoothly for you.

Shawn

 

[Lordpenguin]

I have a question about this procedure; It seems to me that essentially, this is using the update system to update to the same version. My question is this: If I buy an upgrade (for instance, a vista Ultimate upgrade disk), will running that do the same thing as a repair install? Ie, cleaning out my drivers?

Basically, I need to repair my usb printing support but I don't have a disk to run a repair install from (vista was preinstalled on my system). Will buying an Ultimate upgrade disk allow me to do this?

 

[Brink]

Hi Lordpenguin,

I'm not certain if it will work on your currently installed Vista or not since you have a OEM version of it.

If all you want to do is clear the installed drivers, then have you already tried uninstalling them first to see if that helped. Afterwards, you can try newer drivers or reinstall the others again to see if works.

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/171469-uninstall-device-device-driver.html

Hope this helps some,
Shawn

 

[Lordpenguin]

It isn't the actual printer driver I have a problem with, just the windows "USB printing Support" driver. Can I reinstall this on its own?

 

[Brink]

I do not know how with that driver. I suppose you can give the upgrade install a try with the new Vista upgrade DVD and see if it will work. If not do a clean install with it and you will be able to next time if needed.

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/68767-clean-install-upgrade-vista.html

You might post about the "USB printing Support" driver in the Drivers forum to see another member may know how to though.

 

[Lordpenguin]

I already did, but thanks for your help. I'm going to see if I can get a cheap Ultimate update and have a go; like you said, I can always do a clean install if the problem isn't resolved.

 

[Brink]

OK, I hope it goes smoothly for you.

 

[hasan_hzl]

Hi,

I tried to use repair install of my vista OS but it says "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." I have installed vista using Vista SP1 Slipstream Installation DVD. I tried to uninstall SP1 but there is no option like uninstall SP1 in installed updates section. Now, how can I solve this problem? Or there is no way to use repair install in this case?

 

[Brink]

Hello Hasan,

The problem has been caused by your currently installed Vista having one or more Windows Updates installed that has triggered it to be newer than even the Vista SP1 Slipstream Installation DVD. I'm afraid that in this case you will not be able to do a repair install.

Have you already tried using a System Restore using a restore point dated before the problem that you may be having?

Shawn

 

[MWdream]

I went to Office Depot and they burned a CD for me that allowed me to connect an external drive and pull files off my hard drive. I transferred all the files I wanted after about an hour. Then did a clean install of Vista. I'm not installing SP1 again. I was out $60 for the cost of the ext. drive. But cheaper than having somebody else do it and wasting more time trying repairs to no avail.

Good luck.

 

[Brink]

MWdream,

I'm sorry to hear that you had to go through so much trouble. You might also consider a 3rd party program like Acronis True Image that can be used to make backups of your files and a clone of your hard drive that you can restore from a DVD(s) at boot. You can try a 15 day trial version below to see if you like.

Complete hard disk recovery solution, backup, drive copy, clone and image computer software

Shawn

 

[hasan_hzl]

Hello Hasan,

The problem has been caused by your currently installed Vista having one or more Windows Updates installed that has triggered it to be newer than even the Vista SP1 Slipstream Installation DVD. I'm afraid that in this case you will not be able to do a repair install.

Have you already tried using a System Restore using a restore point dated before the problem that you may be having?

Shawn

Yes this can be the reason because I installed many updates after installing Vista. Anyway I will not use this option then.

Also I cannot use System Restore bucause I accidentally delete all system restore points with CCleaner before.

Thank you for your help.

 

[Brink]

You're welcome Hasan. Sorry you will not be able to do a Repair (upgrade) install.

 

[Barryco]

I have a DVD of Vista with SP1 (got it in August 08).

Is the warning right at the top of this thread that the repair instal doesn't work if you have SP1 installed still correct now that DVDs have been shipping for some time with SP1 on them?

Thanks

 

[Brink]

Hi Barryco,

Yes, if your retail Vista installation DVD includes the SP1, then you may be able to use it to do a repair (Upgrade) install since it will be the same version. I will update the tutorial for this.

Shawn

 

[GPiddy]

Quick question. Maybe the wrong place but though I might get help here. I am going to do a repair install and may need to do a clean one if it doesn't fix my problem. I use Ghost 11.0 to back up. I have 2 backups going. One that is my whole computer and another that is just my documents. I found out that the my docs backup is compressed and I would rather have a straight uncompressed backup. If I have to do a clean install, is there a way for Ghost to restore just the my documents backup? I assume I can't use my image of the whole HD to re-install Vista Ultimate. So far I can only find a way to restore individual documents, not entire folders, which would be such a time waster and impossible to know if you got it all. There must be an easier way an I hope you guys can help. Thanks in advance.

 

[Brink]

Hi GPiddy, and welcome to Vista Forums.

I'm not sure with Norton Ghost 11.0, you will need to ask about that program in the Software forum for more chances of replies for it..

Usually for certain items I keep everything in one folder, then just manually backup that folder to DVD or some other external media to be safe. This way it's easier to restore if needed by being able to see everything that is in the backup using this method since there is no compression or encryption preventing you fom seeing the backup files.

If you have a whole HD image, you should be able to restore it to have Vista Ultimate back as it was at the time the image was made. I'm not sure on how to restore it if you had made the image from Ghost. If you used the Vista Complete PC Backup feature, then this tutorial below will show you how to restore it.

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/99718-restore-complete-computer.html

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[Spencerr]

I have Windows XP Ultimate Edition, and I've been unable to start my computer or get into my desktop. I came across this tutorial since you recommended it in this thread and his/her problem seemed to be similar to mine. I've read through the tutorial, but there is one major problem. I'm unable to get into my desktop through safe mode or through any other method, which doesn't allow me to do an Upgrade Install!

I've tried everything mentioned in this thread: chkdisk /f /r, going through Startup Repair multiple times, and attempting to boot from the CD that came with it, even though I didn't run it through Windows. Regardless of what I've tried, nothing seems to be working.

A clean install would be horrible for me, and it would be the ABSOLUTE last option that I would like to have. If there is any way whatsoever in getting the files that are on my desktop, that would be immensely helpful. I've read in the post above (or two posts above) that somebody took their files and put it on an external hard drive. That would be fine for me, as long as I have the files on my desktop. I cannot stress this more: these files are of the utmost importance! I've indeed learnt my lesson about backing up frequently, and hope that this problem never happens again. If there is anyway that you or anybody here could help me with my problem, I would be entirely grateful.

Thanks Shawn and others,
Spencer


P.S. I have the full edition, not an upgraded one.

 

[Brink]

Hello Spencer, and welcome to Vista Forums.

I assume that you meant Vista Ultimate and not Windows XP Ultimate Edition.

Are you able to boot into Safe Mode at all? If so, see if you can manually copy the files from the C:\Users\(user name)\Desktop folder to a DVD, or other form of backup.

If you are not able to boot into Safe Mode at all, then you might consider plugging your hard drive into another computer to see if you can access the C:\Users\(user name)\Desktop folder from within that other computer's Vista.