User name and password are lost Installing and Upgrading Vista Discuss User name and password are lost in the Windows Vista forums; yeah i don't think it will but worth a shot....

[ProCookie]

yeah i don't think it will but worth a shot.

[jjw277]

Thank you both. I will take your advises and give up trying to "hack" my own computer. Now I would like to re-install the Vista instead of updating it. What steps I take since I have only "partially" done the updating process? Please advise.

[felix8406]

First thing, you must realize that you'll lose all the applications that were installed. However, programs that were not install or that you saved in the PC, may be restore. For example, you downloaded Nero and saved it to the PC; you should be able to restore that file. We’ll talk about that later, for now let us installed Vista.

1. Make sure the DVD is clean; a fingerprint may be enough to give you problems down the road.
2. Make sure your PC is on stable area. Many people place their PC on dining tables and so forth during application installation; but all it takes is a little bump to the table to make the CD/DVD skip. You only want to install it once, well in your case it will be more than one, but from this point forward it will be only once. Place the PC on a hard, solid and stable surface.
3. Verify that all electrical connections are well in place.
4. Connect your PC to the internet; this can save a lot of time later. During the installation process, if Vista has access to the Internet, it will download drivers and other important updates.
5. Boot up from the DVD and follow the instructions. The only type of installation you’ll be allowed to do is a custom installation.
6. When ask to select the hard drive you want Vista installed, select the HD where your old Vista is. The Vista installation will save all current data to a folder call windows.old.
7. You don’t want to format the hard drive and Vista will not ask you to do it, but there is an option. Do not select that option.
8. Don’t get too anxious, let Vista do its thing.

Once finish, read this article about the windows.old folder: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/933209

[jjw277]

Thank you again, Felix 8406. I did boot up from the DVD. But after the product key was entered, it says "to use the product key you entered, start installation from the existing version of Windows". I called the Microsoft customer support, the rep said I cannot do full installation from the updated version. I need to call customer service, return the DVD and get a new full installation DVD. Is it the case? It has been very frustrating. Is there a way to uninstall the Vista and go back to my old XP? Sorry to bother you again.

jjw277

[felix8406]

I see, you have an upgrade version of Vista. I think there's a way to get around that. Install Vista, but do not enter product key; make sure to instal the version that the product key calls for. After it installs, go to welcome center and select to install the product key. If that doesn't work, insert the DVD and choose to upgrade and this time enter your product key. That shhould work.

[Snuffy]

Originally Posted by jjw277

Thank you again, Felix 8406. I did boot up from the DVD. But after the product key was entered, it says "to use the product key you entered, start installation from the existing version of Windows". I called the Microsoft customer support, the rep said I cannot do full installation from the updated version. I need to call customer service, return the DVD and get a new full installation DVD. Is it the case? It has been very frustrating. Is there a way to uninstall the Vista and go back to my old XP? Sorry to bother you again.

jjw277

that info is 100% WRONG... you can do a FULL install from a UPGRADE DVD cause that is the way I DID it.. also the manual which comes with the UPGRADE DVD tells you how to do it... please open the manual with the upgrade disk and READ the proper way to reinstall or clean install or repair with a Upgrade DVD..

[jjw277]

Thank you, felix 8406. I put the Update DVD in E drive and rebooted the computer. I avoided the Product Key and unchecked the "automatic online registry". From there, I was able to "clean" install the Vista. Really excited!! Now my question is will the non-entry of Product Key haunt me in the future? Should I just wait until later when the Windows demands me the enter the Key? Again, I do very appreciate you, ProCookie and Snuffy's time and efforts helping me out.

[jjw277]

Thank you, Snuffy. As I wrote in the Fast Reply to felix 8406, the difference here is I have already installed the Update of Vista. When I tried to "clean" install on top of Update, the Product Key has been used once so the Windows would not let me use it again. I guess the computer sends the Key to Microsoft automatically via internet to check the validity. By not entering the Product Key and disable the automatic online check for validity, I was able to "clean" install the Vista. My concern now is whether the "get-around" would cause problems running Vista down the road. What is your opinion about this?

[felix8406]

Concerning your product key, as long as that key has been used on your PC, it shouldn't be an issue. Now that you installed Vista, you could try installing it again within Windows and select an ugrade installation, but this time enter your product key. One more thing, if you reinstall, do not enter any passwords until you know for sure Vista is working fine.

[Snuffy]

Originally Posted by jjw277

Thank you. Before I give up, please help me with one last try. I am able to get DOS prompt under Boot Manu by hitting ESC when computer boots up. Suppose the program is in A drive. What is the command to tell computer to run the program (RUN, EXEC, etc)? thank you.

DOS commands are Setup.
Windows commands are cmd or exe.
Normal installation is Admin name is Admin. and pass is blank. but depends if it took your user name. Snuffy is Snuffy and not snuffy