Repair re-install possible

[ginfest]

Hi
I'm running Vista x64 and since I installed it the "Reliability
Monitor/System Stability Chart" has never updated! It show an entry for the
date of install, but none since then. There are no problem reports and the
RAC task does work, just not readings on the chart. I know it's a minor
issue but I'd like it to work as intended
Is it possible to do an in-place repair re-install with the retail disc
similar to XP where the OS and system files are replaced but all the
programs and settings remain?
tia

 

[Chad Harris]

Hi ginfest--

Can you show me where there is information on the reliability monitor
"updating"? What precisely do you mean by "updating" the reliability
monitor and how do you know it "hasn't updated"? Are you referring to dates
when you access it via taskman's performance tab and click the button
"create a data collector set and diagnosis report"? Do you mean events or
logging installation of software installs and uninstalls? Viewing all
available historical data?


See details about your computer's performance using Task Manager
http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/d119bbe6-f604-4eb1-9c75-bbbc45cce1da1033.mspx


Several people have reported a repair install works with the Vista DVD. You
can also try running Startup Repair which is not just confined to fixing
Startups as the Win RE team has incorrectly labled it. I'm not sure that
either would "update" your Reliability Monitor.

Is Vista Reliable? Using Vista's Reliability Monitor
http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1697,2105206,00.asp

CH

 

[ginfest]

When I access "Reliability and Performance Monitor" under "Monitoring
Tools/Reliability Monitor" in the RHS window is the "System Stability Chart"
That chart is "stuck" on 25 April, it is the date of my x64 install. The
data set is for that date and that date only. When I ran x86 Vista, I had
entries from the initial install date up to and including the current date.
I have been trying to figure out why the entries aren't there and finally
decided that maybe a repair reinstall was needed.

 

[Chad Harris]

Ginfest--

Got you. I was remiss in mentioning you should try SFC, and if that doesn't
work try Startup Repair if you have a Vista DVD:

SFC or System File Checker is a bit like the spare tire in your car or a
backup battery I suppose. In Vista of course, they have changed it somewhat
and come up with a new name--Redmond stands for name it something different
twice a year and now it's part of WRP or Windows Resource Protection. It
scans protected resources including thousands of files, libraries, critical
folders, and essential registry keys, and it replaces those that are
corrupted with intact ones. It fixes a lot of problems in Windows XP, OE,
Windows Vista, Win Mail, IE6, and on Vista or if it is installed on XP, IE7.
It protects these things from changes by any source including
administrators, by keeping a spare of most of them.


How to Run SFC:

Type "cmd" into the Search box above the Start Button>and when cmd comes up
at the top of the Start menu>right click cmd and click "run as Admin" and
when the cmd prompt comes up at the cmd prompt type "sfc /scannow" no quotes
and let it run. This may fix things quite a bit. It replaces corrupt files
with intact ones, if you're not familiar with it.

If no help from SFC, you can try a restore point to before this happened or
you try the steps below if you have a Vista DVD, and if those don't work you
can try a repair install (same as Doug Knox's steps for XP):

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/helpandsupport/learnmore/tips/doug92.mspx


You can try a restore point to before this happened or you try the steps
below if you have a Vista DVD:

Pressing F8 repeatedly when you seem the firmware screen may be is a generic
way to launch Windows RE on some OEM Vista computers.

Startup Repair will look like this when you put in the Vista DVD:

http://www.vistaclues.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/12/click-repair-your-computer.png

You run the startup repair tool this way (and system restore from here is
also sometimes effective):

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/925810/en-us

How To Run Startup Repair In Vista Ultimate (Multiple Screenshots)
http://www.windowsvista.windowsreinstall.com/vistaultimate/repairstartup/index.htm

Good luck,

CH

 

[ginfest]

TY for the tips, I had forgotten about SFC. I'll run that now and then
proceed on to the others if need bee. I will post back here with the results
when I am done.

 

[dean-dean]

You could try this, to see if corrupt data is choking it. Go to
C:\ProgramData\Microsoft and move the RAC folder somewhere else, say to your
Desktop. Open the Reliability Monitor/System Stability Chart. This should
create a new RAC folder. System Stability Chart will be blank, for the most
part, but check back in 24 hrs. or so to see if it's configuring. Over
time, if it seems to be working, you can delete the old RAC folder.