Unable to install upgrade

[kennymclachlan]

I have been successfully running Windows Vista - Home Basics version - for a number of months, pre-installed on my new computer.

I recently bought Vista Home Premium from Aria and have been unable to install it, in spite of 8 attempts at doing so.

I have followed all the instructions given on the installation disc as follows:-

1. Ran Windows Upgrade Advisor programme which showed that my computer was capable of running Vista Home Premium with no potential problems being identified.

2. Installation ran a compatability check which showed there was a potential issue with my printer - an Epson Stylus CX3600, but said that this would not prevent the installation from going ahead.

3. I allowed the installation to go ahead.

4. At the final stages I was told that \"windows could not configure one or more components\" - which were not specified, installation was exited automatically and my original OS re-instated.

5. After a number of other attempts as above I un-installed all programmes relating to my printer, thinking that this was the cause of the problem.

6. I ran the installation once gain and had the same result as before - very frustrating.

Is anyone able to advise me what, if anything, I am doing wrong?

I must tell you that I am no computer expert, so please give any explanation in plain english.

I thank you in anticipation.

Kenny.

[Micky007]

Hi,

Have you tried taking all unneeded USB devices out?

Also, if i was you what i would be doing is booting the PC up from the CD and installing it that way. When you restart you PC you will have the option to press any button to boot from CD. Just press Enter and let Windows Vista load. Follow the installtion and it SHOULD be fine that way.

Booting from a CD is a simple matter of starting up your computer with the relevant CD inserted. If this doesn?t work for you automatically, you?ll need to change your system?s boot order in the BIOS. Restart your computer and press whichever key you are told is needed to enter Setup or BIOS.

In the Boot section you should then be able to adjust the settings labelled Boot Order, Boot Device Priority or possibly some other variation on this wording. Make sure that your CD/DVD drive is set to be your first boot device and you should be able to boot from a CD.

[kennymclachlan]

Thanks, my friend, I will try your suggestions and let you know how I get on.

Cheers
Kenny

[Hosser]

If you boot from the DVD in this way you won't be able to upgrade - you'll have to perform a clean install which will involve formatting your hard drive which erases all data you have on it.

[cleggypdc]

A clean installation with a FULL format is always going to be the best way to install an OS, it may sound like a slow process, but a clean install will eliminate any upgrade issues and a full format will map out and bad sectors on your hard drive. :) i do it every time.

[Micky007]

[quote:faee2c9bee=\"cleggypdc\"]A clean installation with a FULL format is always going to be the best way to install an OS, it may sound like a slow process, but a clean install will eliminate any upgrade issues and a full format will map out and bad sectors on your hard drive. :) i do it every time.[/quote:faee2c9bee]

Exactly :wink:

[Hosser]

I agree with you guys, it is the best option - upgrades are a waste of time, I just thought he should be warned, as he probably doesn't want to lose all his data. ;D

[kennymclachlan]

Thanks to all you guys who have replied to my query.

I do not, however, want to lose all the data etc. I have on my hard drive.

Are you all telling me that the only way to install this new OS is using the clean install option, which will also involve losing all my files, programmes etc that I have?

Is that really what everyone does when a new OS is installed?

Sorry if I sound a bit naive, but it is simply because of my lack of knowledge when it comes to the technicalities of a computer.

I would appreciate any further advice you are able to give me.

Regards
Kenny

[Micky007]

Hi,

Dont you have anotrher hard drive you can transfer all the stuff you want to keep etc... or stick them onto CD/DVD.

Thanks

[cleggypdc]

Do Not try and use the 'File and settings transfer wizard' that comes with XP to transfer your files to Vista, all you need is another hard drive, and a night to go through your files, or if your really lazy you could just buy a completely new hard drive and install vista on that :P. Remember to backup your email in outlook aswell, thats what i always forget to copy across, no worries now though as i use gmail

[Sl4x0r]

[quote:7a10091538=\"cleggypdc\"]Do Not try and use the 'File and settings transfer wizard' that comes with XP to transfer your files to Vista[/quote:7a10091538]

Why not? I've never had any issues with it...