Windows VISTA upgrade to Windows 7 problem - failure

[DarkMaster]

Hello.

This topic has been discussed to death but still..
I have some major problems with upgrading Windows Vista, that I could not find any discussion about.

Here is the deal - I have a customer, that had Windows Vista (Slovenian, Home Premium) and bought Windows 7 for upgrade (also Slovenian, Ultimate). Naturally we ran the upgrade adviser and it checked out just fine - it did complain about some Power DVD program but I ignored that since I have upgraded before by others without problem. So the upgrade process began, it ran almost to the end when it suddenly, just before the end, resulted in error that said something about "unspecified or unknown error" and the installation should be ran again (and can not be continued). We tried to reboot without any luck - installation just keeps resuming - ending with the same error, also, it is impossible to run the upgrade again - because another one is in progress, I guess.

So I ask - how to finish the upgrade or, if able, to revert back to Vista - my customer NEEDS working system - he has many programs that are vital for his business and/or business continual. I know that he should back up his important files and such, but there are some accounting databases that could not be backed up so easily by him - and we are past that point now.
So please, any advice or suggestion on the proceedings would be welcomed and appreciated. Thank you!

 

[ZeshanA]

Hello.

This topic has been discussed to death but still..
I have some major problems with upgrading Windows Vista, that I could not find any discussion about.

Here is the deal - I have a customer, that had Windows Vista (Slovenian, Home Premium) and bought Windows 7 for upgrade (also Slovenian, Ultimate). Naturally we ran the upgrade adviser and it checked out just fine - it did complain about some Power DVD program but I ignored that since I have upgraded before by others without problem. So the upgrade process began, it ran almost to the end when it suddenly, just before the end, resulted in error that said something about "unspecified or unknown error" and the installation should be ran again (and can not be continued). We tried to reboot without any luck - installation just keeps resuming - ending with the same error, also, it is impossible to run the upgrade again - because another one is in progress, I guess.

So I ask - how to finish the upgrade or, if able, to revert back to Vista - my customer NEEDS working system - he has many programs that are vital for his business and/or business continual. I know that he should back up his important files and such, but there are some accounting databases that could not be backed up so easily by him - and we are past that point now.
So please, any advice or suggestion on the proceedings would be welcomed and appreciated. Thank you!

Hi DarkMaster! I see that your customer needs to keep his data. Try doing a clean install. REMEMBER to use the instructions for METHOD TWO which are here: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/31402-clean-install-upgrade-windows-7-version.html

This should install 7, but still keep his data in a Windows.old folder on the desktop which you can then copy the files from.

Thanks,
ZeshanA
If I helped, click the scales at the top right of my post and click I Approve.

 

[DarkMaster]

Hei ZeshanA!

Thank you for this really...really quick reply. I did not think of that... *shsh*

So if I am understanding this correctly, Windows 7 will install beside the Windows already installed, OK. But here is a question here - we have Windows Vista, half way upgraded, the repair console already recognizes Windows 7 as installed, but not working. So - if I install another copy of Windows 7 - new this time, my Windows folder is backup-ed and...what about other stuff? Like programs that were already installed? Other files that are not contained withing the Windows folder? I mean - I understand the process but still, I have not tried this in the past so excuse me if I ask too many weird/stupid questions - I like my answers 101% clear. It is not the Windows installation that is important here, it is the programs that are installed with their respective databases - rough files (like *.doc and similar) are not the problem - they can be copied, also with the mail files and such..
So I think that my question is - will the setup just "leave" all other files on the disk and install it's own new files and I can simply install the needed programs again and re-copy database files - ad live happily ever after?

 

[Dave76]

I hope you did a image backup before starting the installation.

To be on the safe side, and protect your clients data. Take the hard drive out and put it into an external enclosure, do a complete HD backup. Even if it's not a functioning OS you should be able to get the clients data from it.
Try Macrium Reflect if you don't have a backup program already.

See if you can do the upgrade again, if that is not possible, then you'll have to do a custom install. Do not format the partition, this will allow you to get the windows.old folder.

 

[DarkMaster]

Well bummer - I was not around when the customer actually ran the upgrade, so no, there is no backup and no image. The backup program is not the problem, though it seems very usable. So - my initial question has been answered - I can not upgrade anymore, and I can not retain the installed programs. I have to custom install the Windows 7 and reinstall all the programs - and hope that I can recopy the files that I need to restore the previous working state, right?
Still I would like an definite answer - in the custom install, I choose not to format the hard drive, Windows installs and I get the files after the installation is done, right? It is Sunday and I really do not want to swap hard drives and copy here and there...

 

[GEWB]

I would error on the side of caution. First you need to examine the HD to see what state the upgrade left. Use a live (bootable) version of Linux to examine the HD - don't write to the HD! If you "find" his data files copy them to a removable drive. If there is a windows.old directory, copy it, too. Then consider your next action.

Regards,
GEWB

 

[DarkMaster]

Thank you all - I really did not expect such help here. I am grateful for all your suggestions and warnings. Since the upgrade is out of the question, I will try to install new copy and restore the files later. I apologize for my any redundant questions. I can post back the results if interested.
Have a great weekend all (since mine is busy)

 

[ZeshanA]

Thank you all - I really did not expect such help here. I am grateful for all your suggestions and warnings. Since the upgrade is out of the question, I will try to install new copy and restore the files later. I apologize for my any redundant questions. I can post back the results if interested.
Have a great weekend all (since mine is busy)

You should ALWAYS post back results to help others.

ZeshanA
If I helped click the scales at the top right of my post and click I Approve.

 

[linkanyway]

Microsoft seems have a tools can help to check if the system can upgrate to win7