Thread: Windows Vista upgrade fails trying to not delete contents

Hello,all

I tried to upgrade my existing Vista with an upgrade so I could keep my existing programs and files. The reinstall was progressing ok and then I got a blank screen for an hour or so, assuming the reinstall was finish I switch off PC but this was not the case. Now every time I boot up I get the windows install failed message and to restart and reinstall. This process just loops but if I load installation CD from boot I only have the choice to reinstall a clean version that is losing all programs and data. Is there a way I can either roll back the reinstall, access my HDD so I can move all data to an external HD before doing a clean install or access the upgrade install option.

The cause for upgrade was that

a) The PC was actually getting slow and

b) I could not install most applications due to a 'side by side configuration' error message and thought this was due to a manual registry deleting effort on my behalf attempting to remove traces of a program I was attempting to again install that was having problems.

Hi,

I have problem with latest Security updates, causing my Dell to hardware reset & restart after screen goes blank, on third stage of configuring updates. It is IE8 Cumulative security patch dependable on my system, tried updating video driver to most recent etc.

The temporary Solution for me was to start with Dell Vista DVD, and makes use of System Restore to roll back to last checkpoint before update, found in System Repair options.