How To Repair Install Windows Vista - All Possible Scenarios Do Not Work!

::Hello. I have an serious issue with trying to do an installation
repair with my Windows Vista Home Basic using my Windows Home Basic
Upgrade DVD-ROM (not SP1). I am aware that a Vista installation repair
is the same as a Vista upgrade, but it no avail can I get the Upgrade
option to work. Let me explain. I have read on different reliable
websites the different means to do a Vista upgrade as a repair
installation – none are consistent. Some suggest that Vista upgrade
installations run from within Windows and others you are to reboot and
set your BIOS to boot from the Vista DVD-ROM. Also, these same reliable
websites indicate not to input the CD key during the installation
process and not to check the box for online activation and others say to
do it during the installation process. What gives? Therefore, to see
what would work for me and taking into account all the differences I
have found, I performed the following scenarios figuring one of them
should work:::
::1.:: ::Run Vista installation from Windows Vista desktop with CD key
and checked box with online activation.::
::2.:: ::Run Vista installation from Windows Vista desktop without CD
key and not checked the box with online activation.::
::3.:: ::Run Visa installation from Vista system reboot/restart
(changing BIOS first boot device as DVD drive) with CD key and checked
the box with online activation.::
::4.:: ::Run Vista installation from Vista system reboot/restart
(changing BIOS first boot device as DVD drive) without CD key and not
checked the box with online activation.::
::In all case scenarios I have attempted, I cannot perform a Vista
installation repair. What is happening is this for each case scenario:::
::1.:: ::Run Vista installation from Windows Vista desktop with CD key
and checked box with online activation.::
::Result: ::
:uring the Vista installation process when get to the screen “What
type of installation do you want?”, The “Upgrade” choice is grayed-out
and “Custom (Advanced)” is only active choice. Underneath it states,
“Upgrade has been disabled. – The upgrade cannot be started. To upgrade,
cancel the installation and then choose to upgrade to a version of
Windows that is more recent that than the version you are currently
running.” ::
::I need to do an “Upgrade” and not “Custom (Advanced)” as a repair
installation and the option for “Upgrade” is not available.::
::Makes sense in what is says -- I am trying to upgrade from Windows
Vista Home Basic Edition to Windows Vista Home Basic Edition. The point
is that you cannot upgrade to the same Windows version or Windows
edition. It is the same thing! It appears early in the setup and
installation process that this setup program knows what Windows
operating system is already installed (Windows Vista Home Basic) on the
drive and partition. I also think by having inputted the CD key it knows
I have an upgrade version of Windows Vista Home Basic Edition. I see by
inputting the CD key, I am telling the setup installation program what I
have and it is prohibiting me from continuing on with the installation
process. Okay, that is not it. So onto scenario number 2. ::
::2.:: ::Run Vista installation from Windows Vista desktop without CD
key and not checked the box with online activation.::
::Result:::
::The same result as scenario number 2 above. This didn’t work either.
By not entering the CD key, the setup program must know what version and
edition of Windows I have already installed. So onto scenario number
3.::
::3.:: ::Run Visa installation from Vista system reboot/restart with CD
key and checked the box with online activation.::
::Result:::
:uring the Vista installation process when inputting the CD key,
immediately after get a message on the same screen stating, “To use the
product key you entered, start the installation from your existing
version of Windows.”::
::Well, that did not work. Now the setup program knows that the CD key
(since it is an upgrade key) is not to be used during a system
reboot/restart; only within Windows operating system. States that I need
to run from within Windows. …and you know how that goes… …both scenario
1 and 2 above and that did not work. Onto scenario number 4. ::
::4.:: ::Run Vista installation from Vista system reboot/restart
without CD key and not checked the box with online activation.::
::Result:::
::The result is similar to scenarios 1 & 2 above. “Upgrade” is
grayed-out and “Custom (Advanced)” is the only active choice on the
“What type of installation do you want?” screen. It states, “Upgrade has
been disabled. – To upgrade, start the installation from Windows.” ::
::Therefore, it appears that I cannot perform a repair installation of
my Windows Vista Home Basic. From what I hear, anyone can who has
a Windows Vista DVD-ROM! Is there something that I am missing??? :sarc:
There must be a way to do a repair installation with my Windows Vista
Home Basic from my Upgrade DVD-ROM! ::
::Let me add, when I originally installed Windows Vista Home Basic on
my computer; installed using that trick that everyone talks about. That
is, I performed a clean install of Windows Vista Home Basic using the
Upgrade DVD-ROM without CD key. Then performed an upgrade install with
the same DVD-ROM of Windows Vista Home Basic and inputted the CD key.
Things went well. …and online activation worked. From my take, this
should not present any problems to performing a repair installation. ::
::Please elaborate on how I can do a repair installation with my
Windows Vista Home Basic from my Upgrade DVD-ROM. Thanks a lot! ::


--
montecarlo1987

montecarlo1987 wrote:
> ::Hello. I have an serious issue with trying to do an installation
> repair with my Windows Vista Home Basic using my Windows Home Basic
> Upgrade DVD-ROM (not SP1). I am aware that a Vista installation repair
> is the same as a Vista upgrade, but it no avail can I get the Upgrade
> option to work. Let me explain. I have read on different reliable
> websites the different means to do a Vista upgrade as a repair
> installation – none are consistent. Some suggest that Vista upgrade
> installations run from within Windows and others you are to reboot and
> set your BIOS to boot from the Vista DVD-ROM. Also, these same reliable
> websites indicate not to input the CD key during the installation
> process and not to check the box for online activation and others say to
> do it during the installation process. What gives? Therefore, to see
> what would work for me and taking into account all the differences I
> have found, I performed the following scenarios figuring one of them
> should work:::

They wont work; since you have already installed and input the CD key on
the installation you have installed...

You will probably have to use the advanced options and install in a
separate directory to get close to what you want to do.

http://vistasupport.mvps.org/repair_..._vista_dvd.htm

James

If you have SP1 installed you may be trying to upgrade when it would in
theory, be a downgrade. SP1 would make your installed Vista a more recent
version and not upgradeable unless you have SP1 on your Vista disk. If this
is the case, SP1 would need to be uninstalled prior to performing the
upgrade.

I have done upgrade installations in this exact manner, and have always done
so from within the Windows environment, not booting from the disk. The only
difference was that I used a full version Vista disk to perform the upgrade.

Mark

"montecarlo1987" <> wrote in message
news:...
>
> ::Hello. I have an serious issue with trying to do an installation
> repair with my Windows Vista Home Basic using my Windows Home Basic
> Upgrade DVD-ROM (not SP1). I am aware that a Vista installation repair
> is the same as a Vista upgrade, but it no avail can I get the Upgrade
> option to work. Let me explain. I have read on different reliable
> websites the different means to do a Vista upgrade as a repair
> installation - none are consistent. Some suggest that Vista upgrade
> installations run from within Windows and others you are to reboot and
> set your BIOS to boot from the Vista DVD-ROM. Also, these same reliable
> websites indicate not to input the CD key during the installation
> process and not to check the box for online activation and others say to
> do it during the installation process. What gives? Therefore, to see
> what would work for me and taking into account all the differences I
> have found, I performed the following scenarios figuring one of them
> should work:::
> ::1.:: ::Run Vista installation from Windows Vista desktop with CD key
> and checked box with online activation.::
> ::2.:: ::Run Vista installation from Windows Vista desktop without CD
> key and not checked the box with online activation.::
> ::3.:: ::Run Visa installation from Vista system reboot/restart
> (changing BIOS first boot device as DVD drive) with CD key and checked
> the box with online activation.::
> ::4.:: ::Run Vista installation from Vista system reboot/restart
> (changing BIOS first boot device as DVD drive) without CD key and not
> checked the box with online activation.::
> ::In all case scenarios I have attempted, I cannot perform a Vista
> installation repair. What is happening is this for each case scenario:::
> ::1.:: ::Run Vista installation from Windows Vista desktop with CD key
> and checked box with online activation.::
> ::Result: ::
> :uring the Vista installation process when get to the screen "What
> type of installation do you want?", The "Upgrade" choice is grayed-out
> and "Custom (Advanced)" is only active choice. Underneath it states,
> "Upgrade has been disabled. - The upgrade cannot be started. To upgrade,
> cancel the installation and then choose to upgrade to a version of
> Windows that is more recent that than the version you are currently
> running." ::
> ::I need to do an "Upgrade" and not "Custom (Advanced)" as a repair
> installation and the option for "Upgrade" is not available.::
> ::Makes sense in what is says -- I am trying to upgrade from Windows
> Vista Home Basic Edition to Windows Vista Home Basic Edition. The point
> is that you cannot upgrade to the same Windows version or Windows
> edition. It is the same thing! It appears early in the setup and
> installation process that this setup program knows what Windows
> operating system is already installed (Windows Vista Home Basic) on the
> drive and partition. I also think by having inputted the CD key it knows
> I have an upgrade version of Windows Vista Home Basic Edition. I see by
> inputting the CD key, I am telling the setup installation program what I
> have and it is prohibiting me from continuing on with the installation
> process. Okay, that is not it. So onto scenario number 2. ::
> ::2.:: ::Run Vista installation from Windows Vista desktop without CD
> key and not checked the box with online activation.::
> ::Result:::
> ::The same result as scenario number 2 above. This didn't work either.
> By not entering the CD key, the setup program must know what version and
> edition of Windows I have already installed. So onto scenario number
> 3.::
> ::3.:: ::Run Visa installation from Vista system reboot/restart with CD
> key and checked the box with online activation.::
> ::Result:::
> :uring the Vista installation process when inputting the CD key,
> immediately after get a message on the same screen stating, "To use the
> product key you entered, start the installation from your existing
> version of Windows."::
> ::Well, that did not work. Now the setup program knows that the CD key
> (since it is an upgrade key) is not to be used during a system
> reboot/restart; only within Windows operating system. States that I need
> to run from within Windows. .and you know how that goes. .both scenario
> 1 and 2 above and that did not work. Onto scenario number 4. ::
> ::4.:: ::Run Vista installation from Vista system reboot/restart
> without CD key and not checked the box with online activation.::
> ::Result:::
> ::The result is similar to scenarios 1 & 2 above. "Upgrade" is
> grayed-out and "Custom (Advanced)" is the only active choice on the
> "What type of installation do you want?" screen. It states, "Upgrade has
> been disabled. - To upgrade, start the installation from Windows." ::
> ::Therefore, it appears that I cannot perform a repair installation of
> my Windows Vista Home Basic. From what I hear, anyone can who has
> a Windows Vista DVD-ROM! Is there something that I am missing??? :sarc:
> There must be a way to do a repair installation with my Windows Vista
> Home Basic from my Upgrade DVD-ROM! ::
> ::Let me add, when I originally installed Windows Vista Home Basic on
> my computer; installed using that trick that everyone talks about. That
> is, I performed a clean install of Windows Vista Home Basic using the
> Upgrade DVD-ROM without CD key. Then performed an upgrade install with
> the same DVD-ROM of Windows Vista Home Basic and inputted the CD key.
> Things went well. .and online activation worked. From my take, this
> should not present any problems to performing a repair installation. ::
> ::Please elaborate on how I can do a repair installation with my
> Windows Vista Home Basic from my Upgrade DVD-ROM. Thanks a lot! ::
>
>
> --
> montecarlo1987

montecarlo1987;729039 Wrote:
> ::Hello. I have an serious issue with trying to do an installation
> repair with my Windows Vista Home Basic using my Windows Home Basic
> Upgrade DVD-ROM (not SP1). I am aware that a Vista installation repair
> is the same as a Vista upgrade, but it no avail can I get the Upgrade
> option to work. Let me explain. I have read on different reliable
> websites the different means to do a Vista upgrade as a repair
> installation – none are consistent. Some suggest that Vista upgrade
> installations run from within Windows and others you are to reboot and
> set your BIOS to boot from the Vista DVD-ROM. Also, these same reliable
> websites indicate not to input the CD key during the installation
> process and not to check the box for online activation and others say to
> do it during the installation process. What gives? Therefore, to see
> what would work for me and taking into account all the differences I
> have found, I performed the following scenarios figuring one of them
> should work:::
> ::1.:: ::Run Vista installation from Windows Vista desktop with CD key
> and checked box with online activation.::
> ::2.:: ::Run Vista installation from Windows Vista desktop without CD
> key and not checked the box with online activation.::
> ::3.:: ::Run Visa installation from Vista system reboot/restart
> (changing BIOS first boot device as DVD drive) with CD key and checked
> the box with online activation.::
> ::4.:: ::Run Vista installation from Vista system reboot/restart
> (changing BIOS first boot device as DVD drive) without CD key and not
> checked the box with online activation.::
> ::In all case scenarios I have attempted, I cannot perform a Vista
> installation repair. What is happening is this for each case scenario:::
> ::1.:: ::Run Vista installation from Windows Vista desktop with CD key
> and checked box with online activation.::
> ::Result: ::
> :uring the Vista installation process when get to the screen “What
> type of installation do you want?”, The “Upgrade” choice is grayed-out
> and “Custom (Advanced)” is only active choice. Underneath it states,
> “Upgrade has been disabled. – The upgrade cannot be started. To upgrade,
> cancel the installation and then choose to upgrade to a version of
> Windows that is more recent that than the version you are currently
> running.” ::
> ::I need to do an “Upgrade” and not “Custom (Advanced)” as a repair
> installation and the option for “Upgrade” is not available.::
> ::Makes sense in what is says -- I am trying to upgrade from Windows
> Vista Home Basic Edition to Windows Vista Home Basic Edition. The point
> is that you cannot upgrade to the same Windows version or Windows
> edition. It is the same thing! It appears early in the setup and
> installation process that this setup program knows what Windows
> operating system is already installed (Windows Vista Home Basic) on the
> drive and partition. I also think by having inputted the CD key it knows
> I have an upgrade version of Windows Vista Home Basic Edition. I see by
> inputting the CD key, I am telling the setup installation program what I
> have and it is prohibiting me from continuing on with the installation
> process. Okay, that is not it. So onto scenario number 2. ::
> ::2.:: ::Run Vista installation from Windows Vista desktop without CD
> key and not checked the box with online activation.::
> ::Result:::
> ::The same result as scenario number 2 above. This didn’t work either.
> By not entering the CD key, the setup program must know what version and
> edition of Windows I have already installed. So onto scenario number
> 3.::
> ::3.:: ::Run Visa installation from Vista system reboot/restart with CD
> key and checked the box with online activation.::
> ::Result:::
> :uring the Vista installation process when inputting the CD key,
> immediately after get a message on the same screen stating, “To use the
> product key you entered, start the installation from your existing
> version of Windows.”::
> ::Well, that did not work. Now the setup program knows that the CD key
> since it is an upgrade key) is not to be used during a system
> reboot/restart; only within Windows operating system. States that I need
> to run from within Windows. …and you know how that goes… …both scenario
> 1 and 2 above and that did not work. Onto scenario number 4. ::
> ::4.:: ::Run Vista installation from Vista system reboot/restart
> without CD key and not checked the box with online activation.::
> ::Result:::
> ::The result is similar to scenarios 1 & 2 above. “Upgrade” is
> grayed-out and “Custom (Advanced)” is the only active choice on the
> “What type of installation do you want?” screen. It states, “Upgrade has
> been disabled. – To upgrade, start the installation from Windows.” ::
> ::Therefore, it appears that I cannot perform a repair installation of
> my Windows Vista Home Basic. From what I hear, anyone can who has
> a Windows Vista DVD-ROM! Is there something that I am missing??? :sarc:
> There must be a way to do a repair installation with my Windows Vista
> Home Basic from my Upgrade DVD-ROM! ::
> ::Let me add, when I originally installed Windows Vista Home Basic on
> my computer; installed using that trick that everyone talks about. That
> is, I performed a clean install of Windows Vista Home Basic using the
> Upgrade DVD-ROM without CD key. Then performed an upgrade install with
> the same DVD-ROM of Windows Vista Home Basic and inputted the CD key.
> Things went well. …and online activation worked. From my take, this
> should not present any problems to performing a repair installation. ::
> ::Please elaborate on how I can do a repair installation with my
> Windows Vista Home Basic from my Upgrade DVD-ROM. Thanks a lot! ::

Hi MonteCarlo,

You can create a Vista SP1 slipstream installation dvd, then use it to
run the repair (Upgrade) install. This way the slipstream DVD will be
the same version that you currently have installed allowing the upgrade
now.

For Vista SP1 Slipstream Installation DVD:
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/15...ation-dvd.html

For Repair Install:
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/88...all-vista.html

Hope this helps,
Shawn


--
Brink

*There are no dumb questions, just the people that do not ask
them.*
'*VISTA FORUMS*' *Please post feedback to help others.*

::Hello again. Boy, I have been busy and have learned a lot abou
Windows Vista Repair Installations with many tests for the last 1
days! I think I have become an expert on this area! ::
::Bottom line, my issue was that I it was the Windows Vista Servic
Pack 1 that is giving me issues on why I cannot do a repair (upgrade
installation. Many of you have addressed this as the cause. It was
Also, bottom line, repairs (upgrade) installations do not work wit
Windows Vista regardless what is stated out there from the experts
There is a logical reason for it. I will explain. However, in my cas
based on the issue of having SP1 installed separately (via a Window
Update) on my current Windows Vista (originally installed Windows Vist
without the SP1) operating system …and also creating a Windows Vist
Home Basic slipstream DVD with SP1 integrated into it installation disc
I just realized I had one try and only one lucky token shot to do
repair (upgrade) installation to my currently operating system. Now
after performing my repair (upgrade) installation I am finished an
never capable again to do any further repair (upgrade) installations o
my Windows Vista Home Basic SP1 operating system. FACT for me and I a
sure for everyone out there. If any more corruption ever exists on m
computer, I am now forced to do a clean install and no more repai
(upgrade) installations. Geese, Windows XP had that recovery consol
that was more flexible than that! ::
::Let me explain the logical reason that I just mentioned that I hav
learned. When a repair (upgrade) installation is performed it is jus
that, an upgrade. I have learned an upgrade can come in three ways wher
Windows will provide the user the choice to “Upgrade”. The three way
are hierarchical in terms of: service pack (SP0, SP1, SP2,…), editio
(Home, Professional, Home Basic, Home Premium, Ultimate…), and versio
(i.e.: Windows 2000, XP, Vista,…). They are hierarchical in terms o
themselves and one another. These are the factors that Windows looks a
(specifically Vista) to permit and allow the “Upgrade” option in th
installation process to be available. I have read articles that Window
(Microsoft) does not pay attention to what you have currently installe
when conducting an upgrade, and that is a bunch of malarkey! They do o
I wouldn’t have all the problems I am having. It is built into thei
Windows installation program to check your current Windows installatio
(if you are upgrades) and whether to grant the user the option t
upgrade. So, in the Windows version of Vista (what my issue surrounds
going from Vista Home Basic SP0 (the original release) to Vista Hom
Vista Home Basic SP1 will allow for me to upgrade and ultimately perfor
a Windows Repair installation. …or another example, from Windows XP Hom
SP3 to Windows Vista Home Basic SP0 or SP1 would allow me to upgrade a
well. Yes, I know the few exclusions too like you cannot upgrade fro
Windows XP Professional to Windows Vista Home Basic that is not widel
known. Now, here is the real confusion start that everyone believe
…that is wrong! Based on what I have learned, an upgrade is not
lateral move!!! Meaning, I have a corrupt files and want to do a repai
installation of my Windows Vista Home Basic (What was happening to me.
and I have SP1 installed from a recent Windows Update and I have
created slipstreamed Vista Home Basic SP1 DVD to perform a Window
Repair/Upgrade install, it WILL NOT WORK! They are the same and Window
will not permit me to choose the “Upgrade” option to fix it. I could g
out and now buy Windows Vista Home Premium Upgrade and do an upgrad
now. I would get the “Upgrade” option this time since I am coming fro
the lower edition of Windows Vista Home Basic edition to repair th
corruption. So any website that states that you can do a repai
installation and provides all the instructions and diagrams of the step
to do a repair installation of your Windows Vista operating system usin
your current Windows Vista Installation DVD-ROM is a bunch of bull. Yo
will not have the “Upgrade” option available to do your repair, only th
“Custom (Advanced)” option to select that is basically a clean install.
Yes, you have to be technically specific about your operating system in
order to determine of you can repair (upgrade). ::
::I outsmarted the system: When I removed/uninstalled SP1 from my
original Windows Vista Home Basic installation (SP1 was recently added
via Windows Update), and used the slipstreamed Windows Vista Home Basic
SP1 DVD-ROM, I was able to get the Repair (Upgrade) to work [STEPS
TRANSPIRED: Windows Vista Home Basic SP0 (purchased and installed
as)àWindows Vista Home Basic SP1 (SP1 installed via Windows Update)à
Windows Vista Home Basic SP0 (SP1 uninstalled via Windows Update)à
Windows Vista Basic SP1 (installed via slipstreamed Windows Vista Home
Basic SP1) ]. Now I cannot do anything more. No, I now cannot remove SP1
since it is not available for me to remove because it is integrated into
Windows Vista Home Basic operating system now using the slipstreamed
technology. I wish I could because I could just remove SP1 each time and
do a repair installation anytime with my slipstreamed Windows Vista Home
Basic SP1 DVD-ROM. I permanently have Windows Vista Home Basic SP1 now.
I guess I have to wait for Windows Vista Service Pack 2 to do the next
repair (upgrade) install (slipstreamed with my original Windows Vista
DVD-ROM). ::


--
montecarlo1987