Vista Woes

[[AK]Swae]

So um, I totally jacked up my computer this weekend.

Long story short, I decided to upgrade to 64-bit Vista without doing a whole hard-drive wipe. I spent 4 hours just backing up my documents, pictures, and music, and just couldn't stomach sitting there another 8 hours to back up everything else. So...

I installed Vista. It did *not* give me the option to do an upgrade, only a fresh install. When I got done, all my old stuff was in a file named "Windows.old". According to my limited google research, I thought I could just take the files I still wanted and move them out of the Windows.old folder and put them wherever I wanted.

Now, my crap is all messed up. I did manage to get my documents/music/pictures in the appropriate places, but everything else is a mess. My biggest problem at this point is my program list. NONE of the shortcuts work, and there are oodles of programs on the list that aren't even on my computer anymore (as far as I know). Desktop shortcuts work sporadically, and I can't get my printer driver to install at all.

Help!

[[AK]Bribo]

I'm told the Vista upgrade path is fraught with problems. I've heard the best is to always do a fresh install then re-install all your programs.

[[AK]The Beast]

Wipe the sucker and start over. You've already done the hardest part, which is the backup of your most important files.

[[AK]Swae]

Urgh, I was really trying to avoid a hard drive wipe.

Kidd wiped his a few months back and tried installing Vista (the same copy I installed Saturday) and couldn't get it to install correctly. Apparently because it is an older copy, there are issues that make it go into an endless loop when trying to install. Kidd finally just wiped it again and re-installed XP. I really didn't want to go through that.

I did, however, do a "clean install" at least according to Vista. The "upgrade" option was not available with my version of XP, so I chose the other option - not sure if that matters.

[[AK]Hylander]

I never, ever, never, ever, NEVER do "upgrades" on OSes. I believe the fresh install is always the best way to go IMHO.

My VISTA-64 install went without a hitch. I actually purchased the Ultimate Upgrade Edition, but the Einstein at Best Buy actually gave me the non-upgrade version when I picked it up.

Sorry I don't have any suggestions - but I do think a clean install is the way to go. I love VISTA-64, it's been rock solid for me.

[[AK]Clay]

Sorry if this isn't what you wanted to hear, but you are going to need to do a Format C: I take it one step further and then delete the partition completely after that.

Don't even think about trying to just file copy your old 32 bit programs into a next generation 64 bit OS. It won't work most of the time anyway, since they need to be installed into the registry.

Just wipe it. You'll be surprised how quickly it actually goes. And all of your programs will have nice clean installs. The only thing that matters is your personal files (doc's, pictures, etc). Everything else can be reinstalled much faster than you think. (Including your WoW addins).

[[AK]StitchJones]

Upgrading never goes smooth no matter how hard you try. As it's already been said a few times either get a new hard drive and start fresh. Or do a format (once you've moved your Favorites, Documents and Porn).

OR..... buy a MAC