how can I reformat vista hp without losing anything but os?

I have a problem that may require reinstalling vista hp. I do not have a
good image to restore from. I have a dell laptop with the vista cd. I
want to reinstall vista hp and keep everything else.

I have talked with acronis and they say their backups cannot restore without
reinstalling corrupted vista hp os.

Is there a way to reinstall vista hp but keep everything else?

Or is there a backup program that can restore image or applications and
files on a reinstalled vista hp?

thanks

Richard;433593 Wrote:
> I have a problem that may require reinstalling vista hp. I do not have a
> good image to restore from. I have a dell laptop with the vista cd. I
> want to reinstall vista hp and keep everything else.
>
> I have talked with acronis and they say their backups cannot restore
> without
> reinstalling corrupted vista hp os.
>
> Is there a way to reinstall vista hp but keep everything else?
>
> Or is there a backup program that can restore image or applications and
> files on a reinstalled vista hp?
>
> thanks

Hi Richard,

You can do a Upgrade install of Vista from within your current Vista to
have it act like a repair install. It should leave all you programs and
settings intact. Just backup any important data just to be safe. When
you are done and have everything back, run Disk Cleanup to remove the
leftovers from the upgrade install process.

Now do a complete backup with Acronis so you will a clone of a good
setup.

Shawn


--
brink

*There are no dumb questions, just the people that do not ask them.*
_http://www.Vistax64.com (\"http://www.Vistax64.com\")_
*Please post feedback to help others.*

Richard

It depends on a couple of items.
1. What type of disk do you have? If it is a Dell 'recovery disk', then you
will lose everything on the hard drive.
2. If this is a Vista installation disk, and if you can perform an Upgrade
Install with that disk, then all of your programs, files and settings should
be OK.

What is the problem with Acronis True Image? I have used version 10 of this
program to recover many Vista installations.
--

Ronnie Vernon
Microsoft MVP
Windows Shell/User


"Richard" <> wrote in message
news:30680D87-5E19-414B-BFBB-...
>I have a problem that may require reinstalling vista hp. I do not have a
> good image to restore from. I have a dell laptop with the vista cd. I
> want to reinstall vista hp and keep everything else.
>
> I have talked with acronis and they say their backups cannot restore
> without
> reinstalling corrupted vista hp os.
>
> Is there a way to reinstall vista hp but keep everything else?
>
> Or is there a backup program that can restore image or applications and
> files on a reinstalled vista hp?
>
> thanks

Hi Richard,

Backup data to removable media (CD/DVD/Thumb drive, etc.) and then do a
clean install. Programs will need to be reinstalled from their original
installation media. You can't format and reinstall just the OS, it doesn't
work that way.

> I have talked with acronis and they say their backups cannot restore
> without
> reinstalling corrupted vista hp os.

Correct. If you don't have a clean image to restore, then their product
cannot help you right now. It (or another utility like it) can help you
going forward if you have enough foresight to create the image *before*
anything goes wrong.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com

"Richard" <> wrote in message
news:30680D87-5E19-414B-BFBB-...
>I have a problem that may require reinstalling vista hp. I do not have a
> good image to restore from. I have a dell laptop with the vista cd. I
> want to reinstall vista hp and keep everything else.
>
>
> Is there a way to reinstall vista hp but keep everything else?
>
> Or is there a backup program that can restore image or applications and
> files on a reinstalled vista hp?
>
> thanks

Well Rick, you say ' You can't format and reinstall just the OS, it doesn't
>work that way.'

But you are contradicting the other three who responded before you who say
that I can reinstall only the os by doing the 'upgrade reinstall'.

I appreciate everyone's opinion.

But, Now I need to know who is correct? Please discuss amongst yourselves
here so I can get an accurate answer and don't mess anything up.

Also, when I boot from the cd, I get the option to install windows vista,
which I assume means a total reformat.
When I browse the cd from the D file, I see the 'upgrade' folder, but when I
click it, I get another folder called 'netfx', and if I click that, I get
four more netfx folders, so what is the correct procedure for doing the
upgrade, if you folks do finally agree that that will work to reinstall the
os only?


thanks


"Rick Rogers" wrote:

> Hi Richard,
>
> Backup data to removable media (CD/DVD/Thumb drive, etc.) and then do a
> clean install. Programs will need to be reinstalled from their original
> installation media. You can't format and reinstall just the OS, it doesn't
> work that way.
>
> > I have talked with acronis and they say their backups cannot restore
> > without
> > reinstalling corrupted vista hp os.
>
> Correct. If you don't have a clean image to restore, then their product
> cannot help you right now. It (or another utility like it) can help you
> going forward if you have enough foresight to create the image *before*
> anything goes wrong.
>
> --
> Best of Luck,
>
> Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
> http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
> Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
> My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com
>
> "Richard" <> wrote in message
> news:30680D87-5E19-414B-BFBB-...
> >I have a problem that may require reinstalling vista hp. I do not have a
> > good image to restore from. I have a dell laptop with the vista cd. I
> > want to reinstall vista hp and keep everything else.
> >
> >
> > Is there a way to reinstall vista hp but keep everything else?
> >
> > Or is there a backup program that can restore image or applications and
> > files on a reinstalled vista hp?
> >
> > thanks
>
>

Richard;433745 Wrote:
> Well Rick, you say ' You can't format and reinstall just the OS, it
> doesn't
> >work that way.'
>
> But you are contradicting the other three who responded before you who
> say
> that I can reinstall only the os by doing the 'upgrade reinstall'.
>
> I appreciate everyone's opinion.
>
> But, Now I need to know who is correct? Please discuss amongst
> yourselves
> here so I can get an accurate answer and don't mess anything up.
>
> Also, when I boot from the cd, I get the option to install windows
> vista,
> which I assume means a total reformat.
> When I browse the cd from the D file, I see the 'upgrade' folder, but
> when I
> click it, I get another folder called 'netfx', and if I click that, I
> get
> four more netfx folders, so what is the correct procedure for doing the
> upgrade, if you folks do finally agree that that will work to reinstall
> the
> os only?
>
>
> thanks
>
>

Richard,

If you have only a "Recovery" disk from HP, then your only option is to
back up your data and do a clean install.

If you do have a actual Vista Installation disk (It will ask for a
product key number), then run the installation dvd from withing Vista
and do the "Upgrade" option after you enter the product key. Everything
should remain intact after installation. It will act as a repair
installation. It will only wipe everything out if you choose the "Clean
Install" instead of the "Upgrade".

This has been verified by many.

Hope this helps,
Shawn


--
brink

*There are no dumb questions, just the people that do not ask them.*
_http://www.Vistax64.com (\"http://www.Vistax64.com\")_
*Please post feedback to help others.*

Hi,

HP's restore media doesn't allow for repair installations, it is wipe &
install clean only. Refer to HP's system documentation for the proper method
of using their restore media (generally it means booting the system with a
disk and following some pretty easy prompts).

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com

"Richard" <> wrote in message
news:25D86898-9D28-434D-A668-...
> Well Rick, you say ' You can't format and reinstall just the OS, it
> doesn't
>>work that way.'
>
> But you are contradicting the other three who responded before you who say
> that I can reinstall only the os by doing the 'upgrade reinstall'.
>
> I appreciate everyone's opinion.
>
> But, Now I need to know who is correct? Please discuss amongst
> yourselves
> here so I can get an accurate answer and don't mess anything up.
>
> Also, when I boot from the cd, I get the option to install windows vista,
> which I assume means a total reformat.
> When I browse the cd from the D file, I see the 'upgrade' folder, but when
> I
> click it, I get another folder called 'netfx', and if I click that, I get
> four more netfx folders, so what is the correct procedure for doing the
> upgrade, if you folks do finally agree that that will work to reinstall
> the
> os only?
>
>
> thanks
>
>
> "Rick Rogers" wrote:
>
>> Hi Richard,
>>
>> Backup data to removable media (CD/DVD/Thumb drive, etc.) and then do a
>> clean install. Programs will need to be reinstalled from their original
>> installation media. You can't format and reinstall just the OS, it
>> doesn't
>> work that way.
>>
>> > I have talked with acronis and they say their backups cannot restore
>> > without
>> > reinstalling corrupted vista hp os.
>>
>> Correct. If you don't have a clean image to restore, then their product
>> cannot help you right now. It (or another utility like it) can help you
>> going forward if you have enough foresight to create the image *before*
>> anything goes wrong.
>>
>> --
>> Best of Luck,
>>
>> Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
>> http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
>> Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
>> My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com
>>
>> "Richard" <> wrote in message
>> news:30680D87-5E19-414B-BFBB-...
>> >I have a problem that may require reinstalling vista hp. I do not have
>> >a
>> > good image to restore from. I have a dell laptop with the vista cd.
>> > I
>> > want to reinstall vista hp and keep everything else.
>> >
>> >
>> > Is there a way to reinstall vista hp but keep everything else?
>> >
>> > Or is there a backup program that can restore image or applications and
>> > files on a reinstalled vista hp?
>> >
>> > thanks
>>
>>

Richard

Actually everyone was right.

When you mentioned Acronis, I assumed that you already had a backup image
created that you could use. Like Rick said, if the system is already
corrupted, it is too late to make a backup image.

Rick mentioned the fact that you cannot "format" and reinstall just the OS
which is correct, the keyword here being 'format' which means wiping the
hard drive clean.

What you need to do now is follow Shawn's advice and try the upgrade
install.

--

Ronnie Vernon
Microsoft MVP
Windows Shell/User


"Richard" <> wrote in message
news:25D86898-9D28-434D-A668-...
> Well Rick, you say ' You can't format and reinstall just the OS, it
> doesn't
>>work that way.'
>
> But you are contradicting the other three who responded before you who say
> that I can reinstall only the os by doing the 'upgrade reinstall'.
>
> I appreciate everyone's opinion.
>
> But, Now I need to know who is correct? Please discuss amongst
> yourselves
> here so I can get an accurate answer and don't mess anything up.
>
> Also, when I boot from the cd, I get the option to install windows vista,
> which I assume means a total reformat.
> When I browse the cd from the D file, I see the 'upgrade' folder, but when
> I
> click it, I get another folder called 'netfx', and if I click that, I get
> four more netfx folders, so what is the correct procedure for doing the
> upgrade, if you folks do finally agree that that will work to reinstall
> the
> os only?
>
>
> thanks
>
>
> "Rick Rogers" wrote:
>
>> Hi Richard,
>>
>> Backup data to removable media (CD/DVD/Thumb drive, etc.) and then do a
>> clean install. Programs will need to be reinstalled from their original
>> installation media. You can't format and reinstall just the OS, it
>> doesn't
>> work that way.
>>
>> > I have talked with acronis and they say their backups cannot restore
>> > without
>> > reinstalling corrupted vista hp os.
>>
>> Correct. If you don't have a clean image to restore, then their product
>> cannot help you right now. It (or another utility like it) can help you
>> going forward if you have enough foresight to create the image *before*
>> anything goes wrong.
>>
>> --
>> Best of Luck,
>>
>> Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
>> http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
>> Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
>> My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com
>>
>> "Richard" <> wrote in message
>> news:30680D87-5E19-414B-BFBB-...
>> >I have a problem that may require reinstalling vista hp. I do not have
>> >a
>> > good image to restore from. I have a dell laptop with the vista cd.
>> > I
>> > want to reinstall vista hp and keep everything else.
>> >
>> >
>> > Is there a way to reinstall vista hp but keep everything else?
>> >
>> > Or is there a backup program that can restore image or applications and
>> > files on a reinstalled vista hp?
>> >
>> > thanks
>>
>>

shawn or others,

thanks for your help.

The upgrade function is disabled on the cd if bootted from cd, so.....
I am trying to do upgrade from within vista, as I think you suggested.

However as I said before.......

When I browse the cd in the D file, I see the 'upgrade' folder, but when I
click it, I get another folder called 'netfx', and when I click that, I get
four more netfx folders, so what is the correct procedure for doing the
upgrade?

thanks


"brink" wrote:

>
> Richard;433745 Wrote:
> > Well Rick, you say ' You can't format and reinstall just the OS, it
> > doesn't
> > >work that way.'
> >
> > But you are contradicting the other three who responded before you who
> > say
> > that I can reinstall only the os by doing the 'upgrade reinstall'.
> >
> > I appreciate everyone's opinion.
> >
> > But, Now I need to know who is correct? Please discuss amongst
> > yourselves
> > here so I can get an accurate answer and don't mess anything up.
> >
> > Also, when I boot from the cd, I get the option to install windows
> > vista,
> > which I assume means a total reformat.
> > When I browse the cd from the D file, I see the 'upgrade' folder, but
> > when I
> > click it, I get another folder called 'netfx', and if I click that, I
> > get
> > four more netfx folders, so what is the correct procedure for doing the
> > upgrade, if you folks do finally agree that that will work to reinstall
> > the
> > os only?
> >
> >
> > thanks
> >
> >
>
> Richard,
>
> If you have only a "Recovery" disk from HP, then your only option is to
> back up your data and do a clean install.
>
> If you do have a actual Vista Installation disk (It will ask for a
> product key number), then run the installation dvd from withing Vista
> and do the "Upgrade" option after you enter the product key. Everything
> should remain intact after installation. It will act as a repair
> installation. It will only wipe everything out if you choose the "Clean
> Install" instead of the "Upgrade".
>
> This has been verified by many.
>
> Hope this helps,
> Shawn
>
>
> --
> brink
>
> *There are no dumb questions, just the people that do not ask them.*
> _http://www.Vistax64.com (\"http://www.Vistax64.com\")_
> *Please post feedback to help others.*
>

"Richard" <> wrote in message
news:E0AF30C2-B586-4D62-A96B-...
> shawn or others,
>
> thanks for your help.
>
> The upgrade function is disabled on the cd if bootted from cd, so.....
> I am trying to do upgrade from within vista, as I think you suggested.
>
> However as I said before.......
>
> When I browse the cd in the D file, I see the 'upgrade' folder, but when I
> click it, I get another folder called 'netfx', and when I click that, I
> get
> four more netfx folders, so what is the correct procedure for doing the
> upgrade?
>
> thanks
>
>
> "brink" wrote:
>
>>
>> Richard;433745 Wrote:
>> > Well Rick, you say ' You can't format and reinstall just the OS, it
>> > doesn't
>> > >work that way.'
>> >
>> > But you are contradicting the other three who responded before you who
>> > say
>> > that I can reinstall only the os by doing the 'upgrade reinstall'.
>> >
>> > I appreciate everyone's opinion.
>> >
>> > But, Now I need to know who is correct? Please discuss amongst
>> > yourselves
>> > here so I can get an accurate answer and don't mess anything up.
>> >
>> > Also, when I boot from the cd, I get the option to install windows
>> > vista,
>> > which I assume means a total reformat.
>> > When I browse the cd from the D file, I see the 'upgrade' folder, but
>> > when I
>> > click it, I get another folder called 'netfx', and if I click that, I
>> > get
>> > four more netfx folders, so what is the correct procedure for doing the
>> > upgrade, if you folks do finally agree that that will work to reinstall
>> > the
>> > os only?
>> >
>> >
>> > thanks
>> >
>> >
>>
>> Richard,
>>
>> If you have only a "Recovery" disk from HP, then your only option is to
>> back up your data and do a clean install.
>>
>> If you do have a actual Vista Installation disk (It will ask for a
>> product key number), then run the installation dvd from withing Vista
>> and do the "Upgrade" option after you enter the product key. Everything
>> should remain intact after installation. It will act as a repair
>> installation. It will only wipe everything out if you choose the "Clean
>> Install" instead of the "Upgrade".
>>
>> This has been verified by many.
>>
>> Hope this helps,
>> Shawn
>>
>>
>> --
>> brink
>>
>> *There are no dumb questions, just the people that do not ask them.*
>> _http://www.Vistax64.com (\"http://www.Vistax64.com\")_
>> *Please post feedback to help others.*
>>

Don't brows the folders on the DVD, these folders are there for setup to
use. You don't do an upgrade from the upgrade folder.

Simply start the setup from within Vista and choose to upgrade, that's all
you have to do.

Backup your important data before doing the upgrade, just to be safe.

Mic