Where should I start? (Windows Vista)

[es336td]

I am assuming the silence is, no one knows.

Now I'll ask a question, but I think I already know the answer. If I upgrade to Windows 8 (from Vista) that will just carry the problems over, or fix them?

From what I've seen of 8, not to thrilled, then again Vista sucks. I just may take the chance. We shall see.

[C1B3R5NYP3R]

Originally Posted by es336td

I am assuming the silence is, no one knows.

Now I'll ask a question, but I think I already know the answer. If I upgrade to Windows 8 (from Vista) that will just carry the problems over, or fix them?

From what I've seen of 8, not to thrilled, then again Vista sucks. I just may take the chance. We shall see.

I would create a backup of any files I would want to save and do a clean install. The potential for carrying over your issues to the new OS are fairly good.

As for windows 8.... I am sticking with windows 7 for now. But that is more of a personal preference.

[es336td]

I go here: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/948537

Option 1: I see nothing that looks like SP2 when I bring up appwiz.cpl

Option 2A: I don't have system disks... supposedly, I have the restore crap on my D drive. I go and run PCRestore.exe to format and reset everything. It comes up and runs for a bit, then I get an error box with only the red X in it.

Option 2B: rstrui is not found

Option 3: I cannot find the service pack files anywhere on my computer.

I have no idea what I can do to fix this. Does anyone else?

Thanx
L

[es336td]

Originally Posted by es336td

I go here: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/948537

Option 1: I see nothing that looks like SP2 when I bring up appwiz.cpl

Option 2A: I don't have system disks... supposedly, I have the restore crap on my D drive. I go and run PCRestore.exe to format and reset everything. It comes up and runs for a bit, then I get an error box with only the red X in it.

Option 2B: rstrui is not found

Option 3: I cannot find the service pack files anywhere on my computer.

I have no idea what I can do to fix this. Does anyone else?

Thanx
L

So I've stumped the experts? FM...

[es336td]

Well... I was doing a Google search today trying to fix this mess... I found some place called OmniSupport that said they were Microsoft Certified and could find and fix all the problems. There was no mention of a charge, or that they were selling anything, so I started a chat session with a tech. Did the Remote thing with him and he discovered a bunch of stuff, which he said he could fix if I joined their program for only $299 a year. I'm unemployed and told him that. I also told him I had 4 computers in the house and couldn't afford that for each (hinting the $299. was for all). He came back with they could cover them all for $800. Once again I told him I was unemployed... he then said he could fix all my issues one time for $140. and I could delay payment until 12/29... I told him that if I didn't have a job now, I didn't know if I'd have one by then. He then said he couldn't help me...

At any rate... I should have done as you all suggested in the 1st part of this thread. Once again, I have ignored the best advise there is and it is all free. I shall begin the malware stuff tonight. Thanx.

L

[es336td]

Did the MalWare thing... was declared MalWare free. Now what? Any particular order? I'd really like to upgrade to Windows 7, but have been told that I could just carry the problems over.

To recap:
1. Installer is hosed. Can't install anything.
2. Windows Security won't let me tell it AVG is my anti-virus and won't let me reactivate my firewall.
3. I have the network icon in the try... the red X through the two screens... but I have full wireless access to my network.
4. KB2393802 and KB2633171 say they installed, but never do.

I've been told SP2 is causing a bunch of this trouble. I cannot find it anywhere to uninstall reinstall. I have no restore points that I can find. I attempt to go to my D drive where all the recovery crap is, run the exe to format and reinstall Windows Vista Ultimate. It runs for a while, then I get an error message box with nothing but a red X in it.

I just want to know where to start, so that one thing isn't causing more trouble. I have all my personal files on my desktop and that is backed up via Carbonite. There are a few programs on this laptop that are unique to it, but I have the source on the desktop. I want to go with Windows 7 because I don't think 8 will do me any good. I don't have any sort of touch screen and love the way Windows 7 works on my wife's laptop.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanx!

[sach2]

Going back to uninstalling SP2, it seems you should have had many updates viewable.

You type in appwiz.cpl you get a list of installed programs. From the left panel you click "view installed updates" and you get nothing in the list?