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RE: Vista Installation failing

WAW8 — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 08:14:41 GMT

Just pinned a post here about reinstalling a preinstalled Vista environment. Check that out first.

RE: Vista Installation failing

siderity — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 08:02:11 GMT

Thanks WAW8

Would it be better to do a clean install using the Vista DVD? or do you foresee any problem with that method.

RE: Vista Installation failing

WAW8 — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 20:13:41 GMT

It's unlikely that what you're trying to do will work -- because activation is based on the Vista version (the keys are version-unique), and while Dell uses a hidden, encrypted, BIOS-based activation scheme, any DVD that you purchase will use a hand-entered, visible, product-key based scheme. Even if the upgrade works, there's a strong possibility that it will not activate properly.

The only reports I've read of people successfully upgrading from one version of Vista to another is using the Windows Anytime Upgrade program and obtaining it from the provider of the original machine. that way, they are provided a product-key that is compatible with the OEM's activation scheme.

Your chances are worse than most because you're using a Dell. They customize their installs and the DVDs they provide through their upgrade program. Rumours are that the encrypted Vista key is provided on their upgrade DVD -- which is why an update performed through their program works.

Where people have attempted upgrading retail versions, there are reports of such upgrades making it nearly to the end, and then failing. The following suggestions have been provided:
1) Make sure your current version of Vista is activated.
2) Go into the control panel and choose "Uninstall a Program" if you are in Control Panel Home or "Programs and Features" if you are using the Classic View.
3) Look on the left and choose "Turn Windows features on or off"
4) Turn off the following windows features:
-Microsoft .NET 3.0 XPS Viewer
-Remote Differential Compression
-Windows DFS Replication Service
5) Hit "OK" and wait for it to finish the uninstall
6) While still in the Program Uninstall window, remove any 3rd party drivers that may be installed (graphics card, network card, printer, sound drivers)
7) Remove any CD/DVD burning software and any antivirus/antispyware programs
8) Once this is done, go to your hardware manager screen
9) Uninstall your display adapter, network adapter and sound adapter (Vista may reinstall them but this is ok)
10) Begin your Windows Upgrade without restarting your computer

Good Luck. And, before you start, be SURE to make a recovery DVD so that, in the event that the upgrade fails, you can restore your working machine.

[UPDATE] I've pinned a post in the Recovery forum about reinstalling a Vista environment in a preinstalled machine. Check that out and see if it helps.

RE: Vista Installation failing

siderity — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 16:31:48 GMT

Thanks for replying WAW8. To answer your question, I do have a Vista DVD shipped directly from Microsoft. Using the 32 bit DVD to perform upgrade

RE: Vista Installation failing

WAW8 — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 16:26:20 GMT

It needs the complete Vista image files to do the update. So, either you need a Windows Anytime Upgrade DVD or a Windows Vista DVD.

How are you trying to do the upgrade?

Vista Installation failing

siderity — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 13:59:43 GMT

Just bought a Dell xps 420 with Vista home edition installed. I am now trying to upgrade to Vista Ultimate, but the installation fails with the following error message.

"Windows cannot access the required file E:\Sources\Boot.wim. Make sure all files required for installation are available, and restart the installation. Error Code: 0x80070020"

Any help will be much appreciated