Windows 7: Upgrade was not successful

I'm trying to install Windows 7 over my Vista Home edition 32 bit software on a Toshiba Laptop. I ran the compatible software first and everything was a "go". I got as far as burning the DVD and installing the software. After about 3 hours, the screen displayed "Starting Windows" and then I got a message, "The upgrade was not successful...your previous version of Windows is being restored...Do not restart your computer during this time."



After this, the screen goes black, the computer shuts down, restarts again with the "Starting Windows" screen and the "Upgrade not successful" messages once again. This continues on and on and I cannot get anything else on the computer. I pressed F8 for other options and my computer just keeps recycling over and over with the same message. I shut everything down and it restarts with the same message over again.

What to do?

Make sure all USB ports are empty (unplug your printer), then do a 'clean' install, not an upgrade.

Hello

I am having the same exact issue as ssolomon1. Jacee, I see your suggested solution, but my question is: how do I get it "unstuck" from this loop? Any help you can offer would be most appreciated. Thanks.

I would pull the plug when it shuts down. Shutting down solves a lot of problems. When all is said and done you should have your original OS.

I got a similar message 'UPGRADE WAS NOT SUCCESSFUL" it the re-installed Vista. Prior to that I got a message " Interactive logon process initialization has failed. Please consult the event log for more details." I have no idea what to do. I am just bought the upgrade for Windows 7 Home Premium. I followed the instructions. It took about 4 hours. Then when it states "Starting Windows" it follows with "Upgrade was not successful" you can only start looking for HELP. I have tried the upgrade twice with the same result.

You should have tech support from MS or your manufacturer if upgrade came from them.

If not, upgrades can take a long time, rollback can take even longer. It depends on how badly you want to save your Vista installation for working through the in-place Upgrade issues after rollback. Fortunately you can do a clean install with Upgrade media -which is preferred anyway - unless you fully dread reinstalling programs and replacing files from backup (you do have one, I hope ).

If you need to bail out, hold the power button down for hard shutdown. Then restart and boot from DVD and do a clean install using this tutorial: Doing a Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version

I suggest you format the drive using the Custom>Advanced tools for the cleanest possible install since you may well need to go that route anyway.

Thanks I have a full backup. Will see what MS support can do.

I just tried doing an upgrade to Windows 7 and ended up with "Interactive logon process initialization has failed." I don't think "do a clean install" is a good answer: I do not want to spend two days re-installing all of my applications! Is it too much to ask that "upgrade" should, you know, actually work?

The "upgrade" works most of the time. I have done several times in testing. If your vista system has hidden problems or you have 3rd party utilities running in the background it messes up big time.
That's why we recommend the clean install whenever possible. if you can get back to you old system, try running Windows Easy Transfer and make a full backup. Then do a clean install.

Again, if you bought your Upgrade retail, use MS excellent tech support.

If you got your Upgrade from manufacturer, they provide the support for this.