Do a new install if you can

[Steve Thackery]

Rather than upgrade my existing Vista installation to SP1, I decided to
reformat the disk and build a brand new installation.

I downloaded the stand-alone SP1 file, and applied it immediately I'd
finished the Vista installation, BEFORE plugging in any peripherals (not
even the network cable).

I then connected the network cable and the various USB peripherals (printer,
scanner, etc) one at a time, letting it find and install the relevant
drivers.

The end result is marvellous. The whole system is stable, clean, fast and
responsive, and of course I've got rid of all the little "niggles" that I'd
been living with since messing around with my old Vista installation over
the past year).

The consensus on this newsgroup seems to be that - if your existing Vista
installation is flakey - then SP1 isn't going to be a magic bullet. It
won't fix a broken installation - it only fixes shortcomings in Vista
itself.

If you possibly can, I strongly recommend that you back up all your data,
vapourise the existing installation and start over. I think you'll be very
pleased with the outcome.

SteveT

 

[NoStop]

Rather than upgrade my existing Vista installation to SP1, I decided to
reformat the disk and build a brand new installation.

I downloaded the stand-alone SP1 file, and applied it immediately I'd
finished the Vista installation, BEFORE plugging in any peripherals (not
even the network cable).

I then connected the network cable and the various USB peripherals
(printer, scanner, etc) one at a time, letting it find and install the
relevant drivers.

The end result is marvellous. The whole system is stable, clean, fast and
responsive, and of course I've got rid of all the little "niggles" that
I'd been living with since messing around with my old Vista installation
over the past year).

The consensus on this newsgroup seems to be that - if your existing Vista
installation is flakey - then SP1 isn't going to be a magic bullet. It
won't fix a broken installation - it only fixes shortcomings in Vista
itself.

If you possibly can, I strongly recommend that you back up all your data,
vapourise the existing installation and start over. I think you'll be
very pleased with the outcome.

SteveT

Seems to be par for the course when it comes to Microsoft operating systems.

Cheers.

--

A US president declared war on poverty. Poverty won.
Another US president declared a war on drugs. Drugs won.
This US president declared a war on terror. Terror won.
Next?

 

[John Barnett MVP]

Re-installing is usually something we recommend as a 'last resort' but, as
you say, it is amazing what little niggles are removed when you do a clean
install. However, you haven't mentioned what media you used for the clean
install - a full retail copy of Vista, an OEM copy of Vista or a recovery
disk/partition version. I personally equate a 'clean install' with a full
retail copy of the product, but it could be interesting to find out if the
same success can be achieved with a recovery disk/partition which has all
the usual junk that the PC manufacturer installs.

--
--
John Barnett MVP
Associate Expert
Windows Desktop Experience

Web: http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org
Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org

The information in this mail/post is supplied "as is". No warranty of any
kind, either expressed or implied, is made in relation to the accuracy,
reliability or content of this mail/post. The Author shall not be liable for
any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages arising out of the
use of, or inability to use, information or opinions expressed in this
mail/post..

 

[Frank]

NoStop wrote:

Seems to be par for the course when it comes to Microsoft operating systems.

Cheers.

And just how would you know old man?
You don't have Vista, you can't afford Vista. You hate MS/Vista.
Get lost old fool!
Frank

 

[Steve Thackery]

However, you haven't mentioned what media you used for the clean install -

a full retail copy of Vista, an OEM copy of Vista or a recovery
disk/partition version.

A full retail copy. In fact, an upgrade version. I actually installed XP
first, then as soon as the install had finished (even before activating it
or installing any patches) I stuck the Vista Home Premium Upgrade disk in
and let it carry on. When prompted, I told it to do a clean install, rather
than an in-place upgrade.

After the installation of Vista I deleted the Windows.old folder.

The first program I installed was Acronis Disk Image, and I took a snapshot
of the pristine installation.

And now the whole thing is running absolutely beautifully - better than
ever.

SteveT

 

[Bob Eyster]

Re: "After Vista SP1 is installed"

I did this with Vista the first time I installed it but only I use Norton
Save & Restore ( an off-spring of Ghost)

 

[John Barnett MVP]

Thanks for that additional information, Steve.

--
--
John Barnett MVP
Associate Expert
Windows Desktop Experience

Web: http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org
Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org

The information in this mail/post is supplied "as is". No warranty of any
kind, either expressed or implied, is made in relation to the accuracy,
reliability or content of this mail/post. The Author shall not be liable for
any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages arising out of the
use of, or inability to use, information or opinions expressed in this
mail/post..

 

[MirLand]

Are you speaking about True Image?
Whatever, i've done same

 

[Steve Thackery]

Are you speaking about True Image?

Sorry! You are right: Acronis True Image.

SteveT

 

[John Barnett MVP]

MirLand, Steve would be talking about Acronis True Image; I have only just
noticed that he put 'acronis disk image' of which there is not such program.
There is an Acronis Disk Director but that is not imaging software, so one
can only assume that he meant to say Acronis True Image.

--
--
John Barnett MVP
Associate Expert
Windows Desktop Experience

Web: http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org
Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org

The information in this mail/post is supplied "as is". No warranty of any
kind, either expressed or implied, is made in relation to the accuracy,
reliability or content of this mail/post. The Author shall not be liable for
any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages arising out of the
use of, or inability to use, information or opinions expressed in this
mail/post..