[Crusnik]

So with XP, you could boot from an XP disk and do a repair install of the OS. This would delete all the OS files, and reinstall them, while still leaving your applications and data intact. Where is this option on the Vista disk? I see there is a nice set of repair tools, and even a startup repair, but nothing equivalent to the XP repair option?

[Mumbodog]

No, repair not available any more.

But someone found a work around if you have the proper DVD

http://vistasupport.mvps.org/repair_..._vista_dvd.htm

[leroys1000]

Vista does not have a repair install option.
It has a backup utility in the control panel.
You can make a backup image of the main drive
and restore it from the CD.
Start/control panel/backup and restore.

[Crusnik]

Thanks for the advise! So this is where I am at!

Machine is now in an infinate booting loop after SP1 was installed. I've tried the "Upgrade" repair trick, but the option is greyed out. I tried this with retail SP0 and SP2 disks, still greyed out.

[Mumbodog]

Reboot loop

http://www.thehotfix.net/forums/inde...0e5cd362845859

[Crusnik]

Originally Posted by Mumbodog

Reboot loop

http://www.thehotfix.net/forums/inde...0e5cd362845859

Gave that a try, problem is still the same. Safe mode acts the same way as well. Boots till it almost to the point of getting into windows... and then reboot. No BSOD or anything.

[joeten]

Hi this is the upgrade repair for vista wit service packs http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/88...all-vista.html

[Crusnik]

Originally Posted by joeten

Hi this is the upgrade repair for vista wit service packs http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/88...all-vista.html

Appreciate the reply. I've actually ran into that site a few times now and have tried what they recommend, except.. The upgrade option is disabled for me... Even though I'm using a SP2 disk.

[Mumbodog]

Even though I'm using a SP2 disk.

You will need to use a disc with the same sp level as the installation you are trying to repair.


.

[Crusnik]

I thought it was the same SP or greater? SP1 failed to install, so I thought obtaining an SP2 disk would be the right way to go.

[joeten]

Hi you need to make a slipstreamed disc with the original os and sp2 on it the info is in the first part of the page

[Crusnik]

Originally Posted by joeten

Hi you need to make a slipstreamed disc with the original os and sp2 on it the info is in the first part of the page

I will give this a try. I thought this would be the same as a normal SP2 disk.

[Mumbodog]

You cannot slipstream a Vista DVD.

[joeten]

Hi please read this
IF YOU HAVE THE VISTA SP1 INSTALLED:

• This will not work if you have SP1 installed unless your Vista installation DVD includes the SP1, or you create a Vista SP1 slipstream installation DVD (See below). When the SP1 is installed, it will give Vista a newer version number than what is on the original Vista installation DVD.
• You can only do a Upgrade install if the currently installed Vista is the same or older version than what is on the Vista installation DVD.
• To create a Vista SP1 slipstream installation DVD to use to do a Repair (upgrade) install, see: How to Create a Vista SP1 Slipstream Installation DVD . Note that this does not always work to use for a Repair install.
• Another option is to uninstall the Vista SP1, then run the Repair install and install the SP1 again afterwards. To uninstall the SP1, see: Microsoft Help and Support: How to uninstall Windows Vista SP1 as a troubleshooting step

IF YOU HAVE THE VISTA SP2 INSTALLED:

• This will not work if you have SP1 and SP2 installed unless your Vista installation DVD includes SP2.

Be sure to backup any important data you have, just in case something goes wrong during installation. You may need to reinstall some of your drivers. You do not want to do this if you are dual booting with XP and Vista was not installed as the primary boot drive. It can cause XP to not startup anymore.

[Mumbodog]

They are using an old term "slipstream" which has nothing to do with the process they are touting.

Yes you can create a new image of Vista with the SP you need. Much harder and time consuming than slipstreaming. "Around 3.5 hours or so"

I think I would be easier to boot into the recovery environment and do a system restore, pick a date before SP1 was installed.

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tuto...torial142.html