OK, I recently changed my motherboard to a Nvidia 780i...and had to reinstall Windows (I'm running Vista), so I did this no problem. During the reinstall, the program told me that it detected an old version of windows on my computer, and that it would save the files in a Windows.old folder on my drive. I went through some long process from Microsoft on how to go back to an earlier version of windows that was stored in the Windows.old folder. I thought this would be great becuase I wouldn't have to reinstall all my old programs and such...

The installation messed my computer up as far as I can tell. When I restarted my computer hoping I would have my old files on my system, I could not log in. I would click on my user to log in, the screen would go black for 2 seconds or so, and then I would get a logging off screen.

I then restarted my computer again with the Vista Installation disk in, and it attempted to 'repair' my system (what it really did I have no idea). I then restarted after the 'repair' was done, and I got some corruption message when I logged in.

So...I tried to reinstall Vista again. The installation went fine until I was in the completion step, where my computer unexpectedly shut down. I turned my computer back on, and I attempted to log in, but I got an error message saying that the computer shut down unexpectedly, and that the installation process would have to start over.

So....I tried to install again, however, I got the exact same scenerio as above, where the computer shut down.

I now have like 5 different versions of Vista on my computer, and none of them work. I can't log on to any desktop, I just get to a point where I can select which Windows Vista I want to run (of the 5 I have installed)...

Does anybody know what to do? I don't know how to get rid of these 5 non-functioning Vistas that I have installed. I'm thinking maybe I should completely wipe my hard drive and do another attempt at reinstalling Vista, but I'm not even sure if I can clean my hard drive without a working version of Windows. I also would still like to access those files in the windows.old folder if I can, but if I can't..then I won't be too sad to loose them.

Ferrari

Thanks Nick, I will try to wipe my hard drive.

Can you tell me a little more about how to do this? As I said earlier, I really don't know how to wipe my hard drive. I have Googled it, but I get a bunch of programs that would only work if I had a working version of Windows.

When it tells me about the old version of Vista, there is no 'wipe' option. There is only the dialog box that says it will create a windows.old folder, which I am forced to click 'ok' to, there is no 'delete option'. It then continues to install Vista.

Thanks, Ferrari.

If there is nothing on the HD you want to save, then Format it. If there are certain things you'd like to save,then a suggestion would be to buy another HD like a WD Raptor 80GB and use it for your sytem and maybe some other programs, FSX excluded. Leave that on the other drive.
( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136033 )

Just food for thought.

jim

T1MT1M wrote on Dec 29^th, 2008 at 6:06pm:


Excellent point.

well if you don't need to backup anything you have on your system or already have then all you need to do is put your vista disc in, when it gets to the install screen click install now and go custom [might say (advanced) next to it] and when you are in that just delete your C partition. create a new one in its spot and put your new vista on that.

NB: This will delete EVERYTHING off your C: drive. Make sure everything is backed up accordingly.

NB`: Didnt read your first post all the way through . If you have backed up everything (and make sure you have cos your not going to get it back) delete ALL partitions which will delete all of your vista installs. create ONE new partition with all of the unallocated space which should be the total amount of GB in your PC then use that to install windows on.

MAKE SURE YOU HAVE EVERYTHING BACKED UP. i sometimes miss some things .

Your problem could possibly be that you installed two vistas on the one partition which i have never seen before so i don't know symptoms but this would be the way to fix it.

there are ways to back it up if you know the file path. But im not sure how thats a little above me, maybe a little google search can help you there.

Quote:


yeah didn't think about that.

NickN wrote on Dec 29^th, 2008 at 8:49pm:



reseating everything is always a good idea. (pc off of course )

use this and wipe it clean 

http://www.dban.org/

Just before we begin a partition is a part of a hard drive. If you have one partition then your hard drive is whole. but if you have two then that means your hard drive is split in two (not necesserily halves). This decreases performance and you should only have one.

OK here are step by step Instructions.

1. Put your vista disc in the drive
2. restart your PC and as it loads up tap F12 (where you would usually go into bios or the screen with your motherboard logo on it)
3. select CD-ROM
4. press enter until you see the screen "Windows is loading files
5. get a frosty beer while you wait
6. select your language settings
7. next
8. Install now
9. Put your product key in
10. next
11. next
12. Custom (advanced)
13. click "drive options (advanced)" (at the bottom)
14. Go over all partitions and delete them all (make sure there are no periferaly plugged in eg. external hard drives, pen drives.)
15. with ALL unallocated space click on NEW
16. not sure if it gives you the option here but select FORMAT instead of QUICK FORMAT on the screen that may or may not come up. if it doesn't don't worry.
17.When the partition is created click on it
18.Click next
19.Let it install (pretty simple from here)

Your instructions worked. I wiped the hard drive, and the install completed with no issues. I am now in the process of re-installing all of my software. Many thanks for your help

Ferrari

I've never even used DBAN myself but I do know it works very well

I just take the XP cd and delete the partitions to completely wipe the HDDs 

It appears cooling was the issue....
My CPU fan was resistant to sitting down all the way on the processor. After much swearing and cursing...I finally got it to sit down right...and the random shut-downs stopped. I hope this computer is finally working  . Better keep my mouth shut though before something else happens