Repairing Vista

[Wiley C]

am familiar with the repair option, ' startup repair", from the Vista DVD, or
from the OEM
http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/5c59f8c1-b0d1-4f1a-af55-74f3922f3f351033.mspx

In XP, if a PC developed an error and the fix was to try a repair
installation, if the XP PC had been upgraded from, for example, SP0 to SP1
and the user tried the repair using the XP SP1 installation CD [ not an
upgrade CD ] [ for example http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315341 ], messages
often appeared, informing the user that a file was missing.

If a user tries to repair Vista SP1, with a Vista SP0 DVD, does the same
thing occur? If so, other than buying a Vista DVD, what can be done to fix
the issue?

Thanks for your time & comments.

 

[Rick Rogers]

Hi,

First, Vista does not offer a repair install like XP did due to a change in
the way the installation is done. However, you can do an in-place upgrade as
described here:
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/88236-repair-install-vista.html

Second, like with XP, you can't use an SP0 disk to install over or upgrade
an SP1 installation. It has to be at the same or higher SP level. You don't
need to buy a DVD though, just copy a friend's.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com

 

[Wiley C]

Thank you.
:up:

WC

Hi,

First, Vista does not offer a repair install like XP did due to a change in
the way the installation is done. However, you can do an in-place upgrade as
described here:
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/88236-repair-install-vista.html

Second, like with XP, you can't use an SP0 disk to install over or upgrade
an SP1 installation. It has to be at the same or higher SP level. You don't
need to buy a DVD though, just copy a friend's.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com

am familiar with the repair option, ' startup repair", from the Vista DVD,
or
from the OEM.
http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/5c59f8c1-b0d1-4f1a-af55-74f3922f3f351033.mspx

In XP, if a PC developed an error and the fix was to try a repair
installation, if the XP PC had been upgraded from, for example, SP0 to SP1
and the user tried the repair using the XP SP1 installation CD [ not an
upgrade CD ] [ for example http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315341 ],
messages
often appeared, informing the user that a file was missing.

If a user tries to repair Vista SP1, with a Vista SP0 DVD, does the same
thing occur? If so, other than buying a Vista DVD, what can be done to fix
the issue?

Thanks for your time & comments.

 

[Victek]

First, Vista does not offer a repair install like XP did due to a change

in the way the installation is done. However, you can do an in-place
upgrade as described here:
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/88236-repair-install-vista.html

Second, like with XP, you can't use an SP0 disk to install over or upgrade
an SP1 installation. It has to be at the same or higher SP level. You
don't need to buy a DVD though, just copy a friend's.

FWIW, I've used XP media with an older service pack to do repair installs
and then reinstalled the latest updates & service pack without problems -
maybe I've been lucky?

 

[John Barnett MVP]

Check this link from my website:
http://www.winuser.co.uk/windows_vi...sing_the_upgrade_option_of_the_vista_dvd.html

--

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

Web: http://www.winuser.co.uk
Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org
Web: http://xphelpandsupport.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..

 

[Wiley C]

Dear Mr Barnett:
Thank you.

Please clarify this step:
"3/ After the upgrade has completed the following instruction will be found
useful"
Do "the following instruction" refer to steps 4 - 16, or something else?

You are certainly have more expertise and experience in this issue. But to
me, your solution seems to me to re-install Vista using the SP0 disk, if one
has upgraded to SP1.

Thanks for your time & knowledge.

Sincerely,
WC

Check this link from my website:
http://www.winuser.co.uk/windows_vi...sing_the_upgrade_option_of_the_vista_dvd.html

--

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

Web: http://www.winuser.co.uk
Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org
Web: http://xphelpandsupport.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..

am familiar with the repair option, ' startup repair", from the Vista DVD,
or
from the OEM.
http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/5c59f8c1-b0d1-4f1a-af55-74f3922f3f351033.mspx

In XP, if a PC developed an error and the fix was to try a repair
installation, if the XP PC had been upgraded from, for example, SP0 to SP1
and the user tried the repair using the XP SP1 installation CD [ not an
upgrade CD ] [ for example http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315341 ],
messages
often appeared, informing the user that a file was missing.

If a user tries to repair Vista SP1, with a Vista SP0 DVD, does the same
thing occur? If so, other than buying a Vista DVD, what can be done to fix
the issue?

Thanks for your time & comments.

 

[John Barnett MVP]

Sorry WC I suppose I should have changed the numbering sequences to read
3.1, 3.2, 3.3 etc. This I will do as soon as I can. Unfortunately this is a
brand new website and I am experiencing a few niggling problems which are
taking more time than I expected to iron out.

However, in answer to your question the "3/ After the upgrade has completed
the following instruction will be found useful" 'the following instructions'
do refer to item 4 to 16. This is basically because you will be asked to
activate the system once again.

As for the version of the installation DVD if you have purchased a copy of
Vista which already contains SP1 then, by all means, you can ignore my
comment regarding uninstalling SP1. If, on the other hand, you 'updated' via
windows update etc to SP1 you will need to uninstall SP1 because your
original DVD will complain that a higher version of Vista is installed and
will therefore refuse to do the necessary upgrade.

Once again my apologies for the confusion


--

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

Web: http://www.winuser.co.uk
Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org
Web: http://xphelpandsupport.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..

Dear Mr Barnett:
Thank you.

Please clarify this step:
"3/ After the upgrade has completed the following instruction will be
found
useful"
Do "the following instruction" refer to steps 4 - 16, or something else?

You are certainly have more expertise and experience in this issue. But
to
me, your solution seems to me to re-install Vista using the SP0 disk, if
one
has upgraded to SP1.

Thanks for your time & knowledge.

Sincerely,
WC

Check this link from my website:
http://www.winuser.co.uk/windows_vi...sing_the_upgrade_option_of_the_vista_dvd.html

--

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

Web: http://www.winuser.co.uk
Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org
Web: http://xphelpandsupport.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..

am familiar with the repair option, ' startup repair", from the Vista
DVD,
or
from the OEM.
http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/5c59f8c1-b0d1-4f1a-af55-74f3922f3f351033.mspx

In XP, if a PC developed an error and the fix was to try a repair
installation, if the XP PC had been upgraded from, for example, SP0 to
SP1
and the user tried the repair using the XP SP1 installation CD [ not an
upgrade CD ] [ for example http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315341 ],
messages
often appeared, informing the user that a file was missing.

If a user tries to repair Vista SP1, with a Vista SP0 DVD, does the
same
thing occur? If so, other than buying a Vista DVD, what can be done to
fix
the issue?

Thanks for your time & comments.

 

[John Barnett MVP]

WC the site has now been updated.

--

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

Web: http://www.winuser.co.uk
Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org
Web: http://xphelpandsupport.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..

Dear Mr Barnett:
Thank you.

Please clarify this step:
"3/ After the upgrade has completed the following instruction will be
found
useful"
Do "the following instruction" refer to steps 4 - 16, or something else?

You are certainly have more expertise and experience in this issue. But
to
me, your solution seems to me to re-install Vista using the SP0 disk, if
one
has upgraded to SP1.

Thanks for your time & knowledge.

Sincerely,
WC

Check this link from my website:
http://www.winuser.co.uk/windows_vi...sing_the_upgrade_option_of_the_vista_dvd.html

--

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

Web: http://www.winuser.co.uk
Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org
Web: http://xphelpandsupport.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..

am familiar with the repair option, ' startup repair", from the Vista
DVD,
or
from the OEM.
http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/5c59f8c1-b0d1-4f1a-af55-74f3922f3f351033.mspx

In XP, if a PC developed an error and the fix was to try a repair
installation, if the XP PC had been upgraded from, for example, SP0 to
SP1
and the user tried the repair using the XP SP1 installation CD [ not an
upgrade CD ] [ for example http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315341 ],
messages
often appeared, informing the user that a file was missing.

If a user tries to repair Vista SP1, with a Vista SP0 DVD, does the
same
thing occur? If so, other than buying a Vista DVD, what can be done to
fix
the issue?

Thanks for your time & comments.

 

[Wiley C]

Dear Victek:
Thank you for the link. However, if the problem includes a BSOD of 0xf4 and
not being able to access Windows, your link will not work. I apologize for
not including the limitation of not being able to access the desktop.

WC

 

[Wiley C]

RR:
Thank you for the link. However, if the problem includes a BSOD of 0xf4 and
not being able to access Windows, your link will not work. I apologize for
not including the limitation of not being able to access the desktop.

WC

Hi,

First, Vista does not offer a repair install like XP did due to a change in
the way the installation is done. However, you can do an in-place upgrade as
described here:
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/88236-repair-install-vista.html

Second, like with XP, you can't use an SP0 disk to install over or upgrade
an SP1 installation. It has to be at the same or higher SP level. You don't
need to buy a DVD though, just copy a friend's.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com

am familiar with the repair option, ' startup repair", from the Vista DVD,
or
from the OEM.
http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/5c59f8c1-b0d1-4f1a-af55-74f3922f3f351033.mspx

In XP, if a PC developed an error and the fix was to try a repair
installation, if the XP PC had been upgraded from, for example, SP0 to SP1
and the user tried the repair using the XP SP1 installation CD [ not an
upgrade CD ] [ for example http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315341 ],
messages
often appeared, informing the user that a file was missing.

If a user tries to repair Vista SP1, with a Vista SP0 DVD, does the same
thing occur? If so, other than buying a Vista DVD, what can be done to fix
the issue?

Thanks for your time & comments.

 

[Wiley C]

Thank you. My intent, Mr Barnett, was not to spur you into action. I merely
needed clarification.

1. If one has installed Vista SP0 & upgraded to SP1, then received a BSOD
which prevents one from accessing Programs & feathers, to uninstall SP1,
what's a person to do?
1.a. Borrow an SP1 DVD from a friend?
1.b. Use a slipstreamed SP1 DVD?

Thank you, Mr Barnett, for your input.

WC the site has now been updated.

--

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

Web: http://www.winuser.co.uk
Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org
Web: http://xphelpandsupport.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..

Dear Mr Barnett:
Thank you.

Please clarify this step:
"3/ After the upgrade has completed the following instruction will be
found
useful"
Do "the following instruction" refer to steps 4 - 16, or something else?

You are certainly have more expertise and experience in this issue. But
to
me, your solution seems to me to re-install Vista using the SP0 disk, if
one
has upgraded to SP1.

Thanks for your time & knowledge.

Sincerely,
WC

Check this link from my website:
http://www.winuser.co.uk/windows_vi...sing_the_upgrade_option_of_the_vista_dvd.html

--

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

Web: http://www.winuser.co.uk
Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org
Web: http://xphelpandsupport.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..


am familiar with the repair option, ' startup repair", from the Vista
DVD,
or
from the OEM.
http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/5c59f8c1-b0d1-4f1a-af55-74f3922f3f351033.mspx

In XP, if a PC developed an error and the fix was to try a repair
installation, if the XP PC had been upgraded from, for example, SP0 to
SP1
and the user tried the repair using the XP SP1 installation CD [ not an
upgrade CD ] [ for example http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315341 ],
messages
often appeared, informing the user that a file was missing.

If a user tries to repair Vista SP1, with a Vista SP0 DVD, does the
same
thing occur? If so, other than buying a Vista DVD, what can be done to
fix
the issue?

Thanks for your time & comments.

 

[Rick Rogers]

Then you have no repair options and will need to complete a side-by-side
installation. This you can do by not formatting during setup. The existing
installation will be moved to a windows.old folder where you can later
recover data from. You will not be able to recover installed software and
user accounts, these will need to be recreated. It won't matter what service
pack level disk you use for this.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com

RR:
Thank you for the link. However, if the problem includes a BSOD of 0xf4
and
not being able to access Windows, your link will not work. I apologize
for
not including the limitation of not being able to access the desktop.

WC

Hi,

First, Vista does not offer a repair install like XP did due to a change
in
the way the installation is done. However, you can do an in-place upgrade
as
described here:
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/88236-repair-install-vista.html

Second, like with XP, you can't use an SP0 disk to install over or
upgrade
an SP1 installation. It has to be at the same or higher SP level. You
don't
need to buy a DVD though, just copy a friend's.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com

am familiar with the repair option, ' startup repair", from the Vista
DVD,
or
from the OEM.
http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/5c59f8c1-b0d1-4f1a-af55-74f3922f3f351033.mspx

In XP, if a PC developed an error and the fix was to try a repair
installation, if the XP PC had been upgraded from, for example, SP0 to
SP1
and the user tried the repair using the XP SP1 installation CD [ not an
upgrade CD ] [ for example http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315341 ],
messages
often appeared, informing the user that a file was missing.

If a user tries to repair Vista SP1, with a Vista SP0 DVD, does the
same
thing occur? If so, other than buying a Vista DVD, what can be done to
fix
the issue?

Thanks for your time & comments.

 

[John Barnett MVP]

If something is not clear on my website(s) then I would rather know about
it. If I am told then the problem can be fixed, If no one says anything then
I can only assume everything is working as it should be.

Can you access the system through Safe Mode? If you can you should be able
to remove SP1

--

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

Web: http://www.winuser.co.uk
Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org
Web: http://xphelpandsupport.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..

Thank you. My intent, Mr Barnett, was not to spur you into action. I
merely
needed clarification.

1. If one has installed Vista SP0 & upgraded to SP1, then received a BSOD
which prevents one from accessing Programs & feathers, to uninstall SP1,
what's a person to do?
1.a. Borrow an SP1 DVD from a friend?
1.b. Use a slipstreamed SP1 DVD?

Thank you, Mr Barnett, for your input.

WC the site has now been updated.

--

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

Web: http://www.winuser.co.uk
Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org
Web: http://xphelpandsupport.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..

Dear Mr Barnett:
Thank you.

Please clarify this step:
"3/ After the upgrade has completed the following instruction will be
found
useful"
Do "the following instruction" refer to steps 4 - 16, or something
else?

You are certainly have more expertise and experience in this issue.
But
to
me, your solution seems to me to re-install Vista using the SP0 disk,
if
one
has upgraded to SP1.

Thanks for your time & knowledge.

Sincerely,
WC

:

Check this link from my website:
http://www.winuser.co.uk/windows_vi...sing_the_upgrade_option_of_the_vista_dvd.html

--

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

Web: http://www.winuser.co.uk
Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org
Web: http://xphelpandsupport.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..


am familiar with the repair option, ' startup repair", from the
Vista
DVD,
or
from the OEM.
http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/5c59f8c1-b0d1-4f1a-af55-74f3922f3f351033.mspx

In XP, if a PC developed an error and the fix was to try a repair
installation, if the XP PC had been upgraded from, for example, SP0
to
SP1
and the user tried the repair using the XP SP1 installation CD [ not
an
upgrade CD ] [ for example http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315341 ],
messages
often appeared, informing the user that a file was missing.

If a user tries to repair Vista SP1, with a Vista SP0 DVD, does the
same
thing occur? If so, other than buying a Vista DVD, what can be done
to
fix
the issue?

Thanks for your time & comments.

 

[Wiley C]

Mr Barnett:
Unfortunately, the desktop cannot be accessed using:
safe mode [ all variations ];
last known good config.
Startup repair fails.

WC

If something is not clear on my website(s) then I would rather know about
it. If I am told then the problem can be fixed, If no one says anything then
I can only assume everything is working as it should be.

Can you access the system through Safe Mode? If you can you should be able
to remove SP1

--

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

Web: http://www.winuser.co.uk
Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org
Web: http://xphelpandsupport.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..

Thank you. My intent, Mr Barnett, was not to spur you into action. I
merely
needed clarification.

1. If one has installed Vista SP0 & upgraded to SP1, then received a BSOD
which prevents one from accessing Programs & feathers, to uninstall SP1,
what's a person to do?
1.a. Borrow an SP1 DVD from a friend?
1.b. Use a slipstreamed SP1 DVD?

Thank you, Mr Barnett, for your input.

WC the site has now been updated.

--

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

Web: http://www.winuser.co.uk
Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org
Web: http://xphelpandsupport.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..


Dear Mr Barnett:
Thank you.

Please clarify this step:
"3/ After the upgrade has completed the following instruction will be
found
useful"
Do "the following instruction" refer to steps 4 - 16, or something
else?

You are certainly have more expertise and experience in this issue.
But
to
me, your solution seems to me to re-install Vista using the SP0 disk,
if
one
has upgraded to SP1.

Thanks for your time & knowledge.

Sincerely,
WC

:

Check this link from my website:
http://www.winuser.co.uk/windows_vi...sing_the_upgrade_option_of_the_vista_dvd.html

--

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

Web: http://www.winuser.co.uk
Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org
Web: http://xphelpandsupport.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..


am familiar with the repair option, ' startup repair", from the
Vista
DVD,
or
from the OEM.
http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/5c59f8c1-b0d1-4f1a-af55-74f3922f3f351033.mspx

In XP, if a PC developed an error and the fix was to try a repair
installation, if the XP PC had been upgraded from, for example, SP0
to
SP1
and the user tried the repair using the XP SP1 installation CD [ not
an
upgrade CD ] [ for example http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315341 ],
messages
often appeared, informing the user that a file was missing.

If a user tries to repair Vista SP1, with a Vista SP0 DVD, does the
same
thing occur? If so, other than buying a Vista DVD, what can be done
to
fix
the issue?

Thanks for your time & comments.

 

[Wiley C]

Mr R:
Thank you for the information.

Will the previous folders, such as, but not limited to "users" folder and
"program files" remain in a side by side installation of Vista?

Thanks for your time.

WC

Then you have no repair options and will need to complete a side-by-side
installation. This you can do by not formatting during setup. The existing
installation will be moved to a windows.old folder where you can later
recover data from. You will not be able to recover installed software and
user accounts, these will need to be recreated. It won't matter what service
pack level disk you use for this.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com

RR:
Thank you for the link. However, if the problem includes a BSOD of 0xf4
and
not being able to access Windows, your link will not work. I apologize
for
not including the limitation of not being able to access the desktop.

WC

Hi,

First, Vista does not offer a repair install like XP did due to a change
in
the way the installation is done. However, you can do an in-place upgrade
as
described here:
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/88236-repair-install-vista.html

Second, like with XP, you can't use an SP0 disk to install over or
upgrade
an SP1 installation. It has to be at the same or higher SP level. You
don't
need to buy a DVD though, just copy a friend's.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com

am familiar with the repair option, ' startup repair", from the Vista
DVD,
or
from the OEM.
http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/5c59f8c1-b0d1-4f1a-af55-74f3922f3f351033.mspx

In XP, if a PC developed an error and the fix was to try a repair
installation, if the XP PC had been upgraded from, for example, SP0 to
SP1
and the user tried the repair using the XP SP1 installation CD [ not an
upgrade CD ] [ for example http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315341 ],
messages
often appeared, informing the user that a file was missing.

If a user tries to repair Vista SP1, with a Vista SP0 DVD, does the
same
thing occur? If so, other than buying a Vista DVD, what can be done to
fix
the issue?

Thanks for your time & comments.