Vista Installation Errors (You guys must be sick of them)

Serjery

Hey this is my first post here and I got recommended to come here by my cousin. Anyways enough with the life story:

I bought a pre-built computer from a shitty store (futureshop i.e. best buy canada) and it had Vista preloaded onto the computer.

So i think to myself "great. i go home, install vista and get to some gaming" but no siree.

I boot up my computer, the vista loading screen comes and goes and then i see the blue background with...guess what...an ERROR MESSAGE which goes ALMOST exactly like this

"Microsoft Vista cannot install due to an unexpected restart or unexpected error. Press okay to restart the computer and restart the installation"

No problem, I think to myself. I press okay and guess what? It does it again. So i try safe mode but it gives me an error saying that vista cannot install in safe mode (even with control panel). I get frustrated and then do a hard disk scan to see if there are any corrupt files. Nope. All files are reported to be clean

So what do i do now? Any suggestions. And no, I don't have a Vista cd unfortunately

Thanks for your help

Serjery (I look forward to posting more in the future)

temeteus82

Hi there and welcome to DriverHeaven!

When you don't have the Vista DVD or recovery DVD. I would say take the computer back to the store where you bought it and say that the Vista isn't working and let them figure it out. Since there isn't much what you can do about it since it's pre-built.

Mr cairo

sorry but best advice i have is take it back to the stor if you cant install a basic setup on a new pc then take it back and get them to replace it for a new one

first setup should be easy you shouldnt have to troubleshoot that

Dyre Straits

Just so I understand correctly here: That highlighted/underlined statement tells me that Vista was already on the computer. That is, the shop already installed it. Is that not the case?

As it seems you attempted to actually do a "re-installation" without having a DVD (I don't think Vista comes on CDs???) I definitely agree with the previous respondents that you need to take this back to where you bought it and have them get it working for you.

I'm just still trying to actually figure out what it was you tried to do since there is no DVD for Vista included. ???

And, FWIW, I wouldn't accept the PC back without one!

Serjery

Basically it came with "Vista-ready" but you had to actually install it and personalize it on your computer

temeteus82

And you must install it and you don't have the media (DVD) where to install. Now that is odd....

Dyre Straits

Absolutely why I was puzzled at the result. Something's really fishy here.

PangingJr

the pre-installed Vista is probably using Windows Preinstallation Environment (Windows PE) that runs from a Windows Imaging Format (WIM) file, which is installed on the disk drive.
i assume there should be an instructions on how to install the pre-installed OS, and if you have followed that but still having problem, likes suggested, take the computer back, since it's a new computer it should be under warranty.

Judas

alot of the machines from futureshop are basically setup to, when first started, read from a hidden partition which has the vista's installation data stored and emediately boots from it, copies the files over and installs it.. and then proceeds to setup the machine automatically for you while asking occasionally for a few details to full customize it to your likely... (well as best as a prebuilt will allow)

IF indeed the machine was setup, and it crashes durring this initial stage.... it's a dead machine.. take it back, there is no reason it should be doing this, and it's futureshop responcibility to fully replace it.. NOT fix it...

Make it damn clear that you want it replaced and not fixed.... usually if something like this happens right from the start, you'll likely run into alot more issues down the road even if futureshops "techies" manage to get it up and running (and i've worked on futureshops "fixes" which i find quite crude, usually quick fixes that tend to fly apart down the road quickly)

Whatever you do, don't hesitate, get that machine boxed up, orginal packageing, all the cables and whatnot that came with it, and make sure you got the receipt... get that thing down to futureshop emediately.

OH... and one last thing.. if you do it soon enough..... if they give you any garbage about not being able to fully REPLACE the machine, ask for a full refund back.... they HAVE to give you the full amount back..

then walk outa the store, come back a few hours later (depending on what you dropped it off.... try and make it into the next shift) and they buy a new one with the money you got refunded (or get the refund and emediately walk over to the computer section and ask another employee to get you the machine you want )

pepiman

Future Shop / Best Buy techies are complete morons from what I've seen

Return the PC to the returns cashier (don't see the techies) and just say "it doesn't work"
get the full refund and go elsewhere

LukeK

Yeah thats scandalous though, did you read the agreement before buying it bud? Im almost sure they need to supply a recovery partition or a CD with every system licensed under MS OS law.

As you just bought it and its not working, best plan would be to take it back, complain quietly but forcefully and demand they not only fix it but supply a CD. If they don't then phone your credit card company get it refunded and they keep the dodgy system. There are loads of good dealers out there now so no one has to accept service like this anymore.

Dyre Straits

Rep for this!!