Installation help with Vista

You are right, Mick. Dell tech support has been no help. I did get advice to
do a clean install but I was hoping beyond hope that someone would come up
with an alternative plan. Thanks, David

"Mick Murphy" wrote:

> You posted here before, and somebody has already told you to fix the
> compatibility problems with your computer.
>
> If you can't do it, contact a Technician.
>
> "DMD31842" wrote:
>

> > I am upgrading my desktop (XP) to Vista Ultimate. The updrade went
> > well until the end when it restarted I get a black screen saying
> > something like it failed to start because of a change and gives me the
> > choice of normal start up, start in safe mode, start with networking,
> > etc. I tried normal start, I tried taking the installation CD out and
> > putting it back, etc., etc and could not get the computer to start! I
> > am now rolling back the computer to XP.
> > Vista Upgrade Advisor shows: Issues with Microsoft Interactive
> > Training, Nortel Networks, Dell Cineplayer, Dell Inc. Utilities,
> > Windows Messenger.
> > When I run the installation disc the compatability issues that are
> > listed are:
> > Ports (COM & LPT): NetMos PCI ECP Parallel Port (LPT3) (not sure what this is)
> > Microsoft Interactive Training
> > Dell Media Experience
> > Nortel Extranet Access Client
> > Windows Messenger 5.1
> > HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!

Here's my standard reply about upgrading from XP to Vista: Don't, do a clean
install. If you must here's a step by step procedure that will help make the
process go smoothly. It doesn't always work. Pay very close attention to the
first three steps.

1) Backup your PC.
2) Back it up again.
3) Test your backups.

If you skip the above steps please don't whine that the upgrade trashed all
your files. Any process that involves this many changes to the file system
is fraught with danger. If you don't have a full backup of your pc before
starting the upgrade you are an idiot and shouldn't really have a pc to
start with :-) This may sound harsh but it is reality.

4) Run the latest version of the Upgrade Advisor and note anything it flags.
5) Uninstall (not disable) all antivirus, antispyware, firewall, disk
utility, and system utility programs even if the upgrade advisor doesn't
mention them. You will need to install Vista compatible versions after the
upgrade is finished.
6) Uninstall (not disable) all programs that the upgrade advisor flags as
possible problems. You will need to install Vista compatible versions after
the upgrade is finished.
7) If possible remove all hardware that the upgrade advisor flags as
incompatible.
8) Make sure you have Vista compatible drivers and software for all your
hardware devices burned to CD. Don't just look for drivers that the upgrade
advisor mentioned. If possible have drivers ready for everything.
9) Physically unplug any external devices like portable hard drives,
printers, card readers, flash drives, cameras, etc..
10) Run a chkdsk on all the partitions on all hard drives still connected.
11) Defrag the system and boot partitions.
12) Start the Vista upgrade process.

--
Kerry Brown
Microsoft MVP - Shell/User
http://www.vistahelp.ca


"DMD31842" <DMD31842@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:9F21F3B5-AD17-4869-B84D-5FCD70CA6E86@microsoft.com...

>I am upgrading my desktop (XP) to Vista Ultimate. The updrade went
> well until the end when it restarted I get a black screen saying
> something like it failed to start because of a change and gives me the
> choice of normal start up, start in safe mode, start with networking,
> etc. I tried normal start, I tried taking the installation CD out and
> putting it back, etc., etc and could not get the computer to start! I
> am now rolling back the computer to XP.
> Vista Upgrade Advisor shows: Issues with Microsoft Interactive
> Training, Nortel Networks, Dell Cineplayer, Dell Inc. Utilities,
> Windows Messenger.
> When I run the installation disc the compatability issues that are
> listed are:
> Ports (COM & LPT): NetMos PCI ECP Parallel Port (LPT3) (not sure what this
> is)
> Microsoft Interactive Training
> Dell Media Experience
> Nortel Extranet Access Client
> Windows Messenger 5.1
> HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!

Thanks, Kerry. I will follow your instructions to the letter! Thanks again.
David

"Kerry Brown" wrote:

> Here's my standard reply about upgrading from XP to Vista: Don't, do a clean
> install. If you must here's a step by step procedure that will help make the
> process go smoothly. It doesn't always work. Pay very close attention to the
> first three steps.
>
> 1) Backup your PC.
> 2) Back it up again.
> 3) Test your backups.
>
> If you skip the above steps please don't whine that the upgrade trashed all
> your files. Any process that involves this many changes to the file system
> is fraught with danger. If you don't have a full backup of your pc before
> starting the upgrade you are an idiot and shouldn't really have a pc to
> start with :-) This may sound harsh but it is reality.
>
> 4) Run the latest version of the Upgrade Advisor and note anything it flags.
> 5) Uninstall (not disable) all antivirus, antispyware, firewall, disk
> utility, and system utility programs even if the upgrade advisor doesn't
> mention them. You will need to install Vista compatible versions after the
> upgrade is finished.
> 6) Uninstall (not disable) all programs that the upgrade advisor flags as
> possible problems. You will need to install Vista compatible versions after
> the upgrade is finished.
> 7) If possible remove all hardware that the upgrade advisor flags as
> incompatible.
> 8) Make sure you have Vista compatible drivers and software for all your
> hardware devices burned to CD. Don't just look for drivers that the upgrade
> advisor mentioned. If possible have drivers ready for everything.
> 9) Physically unplug any external devices like portable hard drives,
> printers, card readers, flash drives, cameras, etc..
> 10) Run a chkdsk on all the partitions on all hard drives still connected.
> 11) Defrag the system and boot partitions.
> 12) Start the Vista upgrade process.
>
> --
> Kerry Brown
> Microsoft MVP - Shell/User
> http://www.vistahelp.ca
>
>
> "DMD31842" <DMD31842@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:9F21F3B5-AD17-4869-B84D-5FCD70CA6E86@microsoft.com...

> >I am upgrading my desktop (XP) to Vista Ultimate. The updrade went
> > well until the end when it restarted I get a black screen saying
> > something like it failed to start because of a change and gives me the
> > choice of normal start up, start in safe mode, start with networking,
> > etc. I tried normal start, I tried taking the installation CD out and
> > putting it back, etc., etc and could not get the computer to start! I
> > am now rolling back the computer to XP.
> > Vista Upgrade Advisor shows: Issues with Microsoft Interactive
> > Training, Nortel Networks, Dell Cineplayer, Dell Inc. Utilities,
> > Windows Messenger.
> > When I run the installation disc the compatability issues that are
> > listed are:
> > Ports (COM & LPT): NetMos PCI ECP Parallel Port (LPT3) (not sure what this
> > is)
> > Microsoft Interactive Training
> > Dell Media Experience
> > Nortel Extranet Access Client
> > Windows Messenger 5.1
> > HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!

>