"Windows could not update the computer's boot configuration..."

[keyjade]

I am attempting to upgrade from Win XP Pro (SP3) to Vista Home Premium, and
purchased the update from the Microsoft Store online and downloaded my three
files. That is, I am not using the CD or DVD option for upgrade.

The Windows Upgrade Advisor gives me the all-clear for upgrade.

When I commence the upgrade process and get to the 'Installing Windows...'
screen it successfully completes the "Copying Windows Files" task but then
fails at 27% through the "Expanding Files" process.

I receive the error message "Windows could not update the computer's boot
configuration. Installation cannot proceed."

This problem is described in support article KB931697. I have taken the
remedial actions (registry edit) described in that article, but the problem
is not resolved. When I go back into the registry now, the setting is as it
should be according to the knowledgebase article, so it is not the case that
the fix is being reversed by other software.

Has anyone else come across this? Any ideas as to how I can get my upgrade
to work successfully?

Thanks in advance for your comments.

 

[Mick Murphy]

XP Pro to Vista Home Premium is not an upgrade path.
It has to be a clean install.

http://www.microsoft.com/australia/windows/products/windowsvista/buyorupgrade/upgradepaths.mspx

 

[keyjade]

Thanks Mick,

It has always been my intention to use the clean install path rather than
the in-place upgrade, but my uderstanding - and indeed, the link you provided
- suggests that an upgrade copy of Vista is sufficient to perform this clean
install.

Regards

 

[Paul Montgomery]

Thanks Mick,

It has always been my intention to use the clean install path rather than
the in-place upgrade, but my uderstanding - and indeed, the link you provided
- suggests that an upgrade copy of Vista is sufficient to perform this clean
install.

It is... BUT: you have to cheat a little.

http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/winvista_upgrade_clean.asp

 

[keyjade]

Unfortunately, exactly the same error occurs at the first stage of that
work-around, so I can't get any version of Vista to install.

 

[Paul Montgomery]

Unfortunately, exactly the same error occurs at the first stage of that
work-around, so I can't get any version of Vista to install.

Did you start by booting to the DVD??

 

[Mick Murphy]

http://isorecorder.alexfeinman.com/isorecorder.htm

You say to don't have a DVD.
Why didn't you make one?
Above is a good ISO image burner.
Right-click on the ISO file, and burn an image.

 

[keyjade]

Thanks Mick & Paul for your ongoing support.

Here's the issue with that solution... no ISO file. When you purchase the
Vista Upgrade from the MS online store, you are given your license key and
then download three files (bundles) - one of these is an executable that you
run from within your existing windows environment. As such, there are no
files that would make this bootable if I burned them to a DVD.

I get the impression I'm going to have to beg for a refund from the MS
online store and then go out and buy a retail package with a bootable DVD.
What a complete pain in the backside - I would have much rather resolved
whatever issue it was that was preventing the upgrade to proceed. I'm still
open to suggestions...

 

[Mick Murphy]

I thought that you had a choice with MS store for ISO, or not.
I have never delved into it.

Sorry, can't be more help.