Vista Repair Install

Is it possible to do a Vista repair install like you do with XP? I've only done a few of 'em with Vista, and each time the user icons, shortcuts, personal settings, etc., is gone. All their docs are moved to WINDOWS.OLD or something similar. Is there any way to do a true safe repair like I've done with XP hundreds of times? Where all the user settings (wallpaper, shortcuts, software, etc) is just how it was, but all the OS files are repaired.... I really need to do this 'cuz I can't figure out a time-effective way to repair the PC in this thread: http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=169468

Thanks.

 

Why not use System Restore to recover Vista? http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/9f6d755a-74bb-4a7d-a625-d762dd8e79e51033.mspx

 

Wow, I was coming here for help. So far from my digging on vista I've gotten the following.

Can try and upgrade install (though the option is disabled every time I try). I've found 2 methods where you either enter the key or don't and manually select the version you bought. I've heard this works when the OS boots, but in all attempts the OS wouldn't load.

Another thing I've read 2 days ago was if the CD is OEM and/or has anytime upgrade that it won't upgrade over itself like what I've been trying to do.
If Vista has sp1 the dvd must be a sp1 (slipstreamed dvd's should work) to try and upgrade over itself.
I've yet to download a retail version to try the upgrade install. Been just formatting and reinstalling the OS if the start up repair fails and chkdsk /r doesn't solve the problem. Which really stinks.

 

I accidentally deleted a part of my OS and recovered vista by doing a re-boot and on the start up screen pressing F11 to go into recovery and it checks the OS and put everything back in place without disturbing my files.

this is with an HP machine i don't know if vista is the same on others.http://www.clipartof.com/images/emoticons/xsmall2/1232_picking_crud_from_his_ear.gif

 

Nope- the F11 recovery is an HP feature, not a Vista feature, unfortunately. If there's one main thing that I don't like about Vista, it's the absence of the repair install like XP has.

Out of curiosity: why did Microsoft do away with the feature in Vista? It is such a great thing to have with XP that it seems to me they'd keep it. Is there something that different with the Vista setup/installation process?

 

I have never had the "pleasure" of doing this myself yet, but I have bookmarked this page for future reference.
Unless you got a vista dvd with your computer you'll have to first create a vista sp1 slipstream dvd and then do an "upgrade installation". The result (if successfull) will be the same as the good old XP repair install, but the process is a lot more painfull and timeconsuming. Backup everything you need thrice beforehand.

 

If you boot from the Vista DVD
Choose repair your computer from Vista setup
Then choose command prompt

typein

bootrec /? you will get a list of command line repair tools.