Vista upgrade install problem

[Dad]

I am trying to upgrade my wifes Dell computer withthe upgrade to Vista disk
that they sent me. Upon tryingto upgrade, it goes through everything util
it gets partially through the "Expanding files" display when it reboots for
the first time. Problem is that after it attemps to reboot, nothing comes
on the screen. Just a blank black screen. NO messages no nothing.

The only way that I can get the computer to come on at all now is to reboot
by holding the power button in until it shuts off then pressing the power
button to turn it on again. Then I have to be there for when it briefly
asks if I want to boot from the old Windows system to which I have to
immediately move the curser up to that and hit enter. Then it will reboot
back to Windows XP.

How do I either get Vista to finish the install or get back to windows xp to
where it will reboot normally to XP?

This Vista is a pain in the you know what!

Thanks

Mike in TX

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

What did Dell say to do when you contacted Dell Support?

 

[Tom Livings]

They told him that unit is not vista compatible.

What did Dell say to do when you contacted Dell Support?

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

I assume you are being funny. If they sent him a Vista upgrade disk then
the laptop is only a few months old, probably from around November or
December since that's when the upgrade coupon offers were current.

 

[Juan I. Cahis]

I don't know if this is the case for Dell machines, but in the case of
machines of other manufacturers (Sony, IBM/Lenovo), you should upgrade
the BIOS to the latest one first, prior to try to install Vista.

I am trying to upgrade my wifes Dell computer withthe upgrade to Vista disk
that they sent me. Upon tryingto upgrade, it goes through everything util
it gets partially through the "Expanding files" display when it reboots for
the first time. Problem is that after it attemps to reboot, nothing comes
on the screen. Just a blank black screen. NO messages no nothing.

The only way that I can get the computer to come on at all now is to reboot
by holding the power button in until it shuts off then pressing the power
button to turn it on again. Then I have to be there for when it briefly
asks if I want to boot from the old Windows system to which I have to
immediately move the curser up to that and hit enter. Then it will reboot
back to Windows XP.

How do I either get Vista to finish the install or get back to windows xp to
where it will reboot normally to XP?

This Vista is a pain in the you know what!

Thanks

Mike in TX

Thanks
Juan I. Cahis
Santiago de Chile (South America)
Note: Please forgive me for my bad English, I am trying to improve it!

 

[Frank Bright]

Hi,
I'm not familiar with Dells and you probably are already aware, Vista is
supposed to do several restarts automatically in the process of upgrading.

I've noticed when I've upgraded (HP Pavilion Media PC) - and I've done about
3 or 4 upgrade installs - that my computer seems to hit a plateau in the
'Expanding Files' stage and it stays on "Expanding Files 21%...." for quite
a long time. It might be worth seeing how long you can wait during the
reboot to see if Vista finally comes around. You may have already done
that - but I thought I'd share what's happened to me there in case it helps
at all.

Good Luck, Frank



I don't know if this is the case for Dell machines, but in the case of
machines of other manufacturers (Sony, IBM/Lenovo), you should upgrade
the BIOS to the latest one first, prior to try to install Vista.

I am trying to upgrade my wifes Dell computer withthe upgrade to Vista disk
that they sent me. Upon tryingto upgrade, it goes through everything util
it gets partially through the "Expanding files" display when it reboots for
the first time. Problem is that after it attemps to reboot, nothing comes
on the screen. Just a blank black screen. NO messages no nothing.

The only way that I can get the computer to come on at all now is to reboot
by holding the power button in until it shuts off then pressing the power
button to turn it on again. Then I have to be there for when it briefly
asks if I want to boot from the old Windows system to which I have to
immediately move the curser up to that and hit enter. Then it will reboot
back to Windows XP.

How do I either get Vista to finish the install or get back to windows xp
to
where it will reboot normally to XP?

This Vista is a pain in the you know what!

Thanks

Mike in TX

Thanks
Juan I. Cahis
Santiago de Chile (South America)
Note: Please forgive me for my bad English, I am trying to improve it!

 

[Lang Murphy]

They told him that unit is not vista compatible.

For real? I mean, not compatible at all or not compatible with certain
features, e.g., Aero?

Lang

 

[Frank]

Backup your data and perform a clean install. Go to DELL site to download
the appropriate Vista drivers