Big 64 Bit Vista Problem, please help or point me in the right direction

[waytofailself]

Good afternoon,

My girlfriend recently got a laptop with the 64 bit version of Windows Vista, and it has been giving her hell ever since. She got it because she recently started a computer science masters program, but every time it tries to do a system update the computer not only fails to reboot, but it strips off the programs that were attempted to be added by the update along with the programs she had to install for her programming classes.

I'm aware that Vista tries to idiot proof itself by not allowing certain programs that could mess with the system, but any time she tries update security settings and give certain programs permission her settings get wiped whenever she restarts her computer (either on her own normally or otherwise).

Any help with how to bludgeon vista into submission would be really helpful. It takes about 45 minutes to install the program she needs to do her projects on, and this past month she's had to reinstall her software 9 times.

[mesonm]

Good afternoon,

My girlfriend recently got a laptop with the 64 bit version of Windows Vista, and it has been giving her hell ever since. She got it because she recently started a computer science masters program, but every time it tries to do a system update the computer not only fails to reboot, but it strips off the programs that were attempted to be added by the update along with the programs she had to install for her programming classes.

I'm aware that Vista tries to idiot proof itself by not allowing certain programs that could mess with the system, but any time she tries update security settings and give certain programs permission her settings get wiped whenever she restarts her computer (either on her own normally or otherwise).

Any help with how to bludgeon vista into submission would be really helpful. It takes about 45 minutes to install the program she needs to do her projects on, and this past month she's had to reinstall her software 9 times.

She is certainly more forgiving than I...I would have given up after the second try, and taken the comp back.

Call the Microsoft support lines...They probably have a fix for the issue. If a comp. sci person has problems, Microsoft probably has heard of this problem before.

Or, call the place she bought the machine from.

[triplex]

Or format, and install XP

[Kalos]

I'd complain to the company you bought it from. If it isn't even stable doing basic tasks, it isn't even usable and you should get a refund.

If they're stubborn, as you have technically been too slow, blinding faults like this shold be reported within a week or ten days or so, basically ASAP, as the longer you wait the less chances are of free replacement without relying on the warentee, and next to no chance of claiming a refund succesfully.

If they won't do anything, wipe the OS and reinstall it (if she's a computer science major, she should be adept at reinstalling Windows with its user friendly GUI install process). If Windows Vista 64 bit in Vanilla, sweet and pure off the CD instal, doesn't work properly, kick down to Vista 32 or XP. Some machines just never play right with certain OSs, I remember Windows ME refusing to operate with a Geforce 2 MX 64MB card; and having to install XP to fix that.

[waytofailself]

Or format, and install XP

Thanks, really helpful and constructive and NOT AN OPTION.

Bought it from Best Buy, and it's a Dell. Both are trying to say to send it to the other person...

Do any of you know some online guides for setting up vista and trying to fix it?

[Kalos]

Thanks, really helpful and constructive and NOT AN OPTION.

Bought it from Best Buy, and it's a Dell. Both are trying to say to send it to the other person...

Do any of you know some online guides for setting up vista and trying to fix it?
Best way to fix a fruity install is to nuke it. Completely destroy any trace of it, and install from clean. The current Windows Vista install is heavily customised and tailored by Dell for the laptop (tailored to make it work better, which it obviously isn't...); that makes it near impossible to download. You've got the non-standard unique Vista install with whoknows how many unique knooks and crannies, the Dell software and drivers packed onto it, again with however many unique whatsits, and whatever has gone on there on the last month by the user. Diagnosing as it is, it is basically impossible really. Too unique and unspecified a configuration for most techies to have a chance.

Hence why I recommend going to base elements, the common system element that all people on the operating system have and nothing but. If it performs well on the basics, clearly it was crap ontop of that killing it. If it performs the same, it could be the hardware or the OS (not) working with the hardware properly. The process of simplification, deduction, elimination, the answer will resolve itself promptly.

Are you saying she doesn't know how to reinstall a Windows OS? Gordon Bennet, what do they teach in Computer Science these days... I'll assume she's new to it, but she's formally more qualified than I am apparently. The install is pretty much dropping the Vista DVD in and rebooting, it isn't like the original DOS installation days now.

Here we go, some guides:
http://e-articles.info/e/a/title/Performing-a-Clean-Windows-Vista-Install/
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/918884
http://maximumpcguides.com/windows-vista/windows-vista-clean-install/ (A pretty good guide)

[waytofailself]

First, thanks for the info.

Yeah, she's actually new to the Comp Sci thing (phd in biochem though) but is learning fast. Primarily focused on database programming and the like. That said, we don't have any disks to downgrade OSs to, and she doesn't want to risk losing her system (for whatever reason) while she is mid project...though it's closer to a brick already.

She's also thinking of switching to linux, which would obviously require a clean install as well. Hopefully the vista disk she has isn't the super duper dell vista disk -- though knowing dell that's probably what it is.

[Kalos]

Buy an external harddrive, and backup all the important files onto there. As a rule, I've never engaged in academic work even at the undergraduate level without having three external hard drives acting as various forms of backup; from total system backups to individual valued files. It is just too risky if the system plays up, or is destroyed, too many tears over lost work, backing up is incredibly sensible. Which reminds me, I should be backing up this week's work onto them in case of the unfortunant...

If she wants to do it without risking the existing setup, buy a second laptop hard drive, switch the existing one with the new one. Keep the old one locked away safe, the new one will be a blank slate but easily switchable back if need be (switching the old one back in will put the laptop in its current, useless state). Then perform the install upon that, see how it goes.

Yep, I've recommended a few purchases there, but it would be how I'd do the job with maximum redundancy and fallback.

[mesonm]

Thanks, really helpful and constructive and NOT AN OPTION.

Bought it from Best Buy, and it's a Dell. Both are trying to say to send it to the other person...

Do any of you know some online guides for setting up vista and trying to fix it?

you bought it from Best buy...TAKE IT BACK....to best buy.

If she is having this much trouble early on, she will have much more trouble as her assignments and software get more complex.

[Kalos]

you bought it from Best buy...TAKE IT BACK....to best buy.

If she is having this much trouble early on, she will have much more trouble as her assignments and software get more complex.

I agree. This situation is not suistainable, reliable, or functional for graduate level work, or any work that is depended on. Keeping it as it is risks a catastrophic failure that could destroy a month's work, or be inoperable right when she needs it for something. Much more important than any system specifications is that the thing works, a stable and reliable working environment.

Waiting around as the academic whirlwind intensifys will only screw things up even more when it does fail heavily.