Vista Updates - Problems

Next is that the updates for windows would not install. Again Microsoft did a remote assist, this was on Friday. Yesterday I was online and the updates downloaded and configured and restarted and than a black screen.

I had a similar problem with Vista home premium and windows update. One of the windows updates was not compatible with my 8800GTX video card and displayed a black screen but the computer booted normally (I just couldn't see anything unless I swapped over the monitor video output each time). I fixed the incompatibility problem by updating the graphics card driver to a more stable (but not the newest) version before performing the windows update.

It is possible it is a driver conflict, but hard to say. You could try another computer forum (possibly the video card manufacturer's site forum) regarding video card drivers to see if others have had the same conflicts and which version of video card driver is the most stable for your laptop.

If it were mine I would do one of two things,,,you reported below

"I installed the Vista disk and now have Windows running"

1.Obtain AVG Free,install,run computer,stop thinking of your "malware and toast",,(90% of this is nada pr nada)DO NOT EVER,EVER,EVER,go to a pornographic site.

2.Replace Bios in Chip set,deep level format hard disk,Restore laptop to Virgin status,,add Operating System and enjoy.

Joe in Texas

Could you come over here and do that, sorry but I am way to uneducated to replace Bios in Chip set, I have no idea how to format the hard disk, it is at Virgin status, by replace os do you mean upgrade to Windows 7?

I have never gone to a p site, I did google p once just to see the hits, but that is not how I like to play with my computer, I have much more fun interacting with the very helpful fellows/ladies at this site. I like to use my computer toy to learn and sometimes play the free casino games.

"Play free casino games" sounds like a Malware bringer to me. Nothing is free in this world and Free Casino Games never have been.

I tend to agree with Jack about there being a driver issue. I've run into similar problems before. I also have to agree with Joe that you should avoid porno-sites at all cost.

That being said, I highly encourage you to upgrade to Windows 7. I beta tested Vista for a very brief time some years ago and couldn't stand it. I also beta tested W7 and loved it from the first. Furthermore, I've known quite a number of Vista users who have made the switch to W7 and are thrilled with the results. Where Vista has been a bug-feist from the very beginning, W7 has been fairly glitch-free, which is a remarkable achievement. Even XP was troublesome in it's earliest incarnation.

The only real problems with Windows 7 are it's cost and system support. Windows 7, like every new Microsoft OS ever issued, is expensive. However, I was able to find copies on eBay quite inexpensively.

As to system support, manufacturers have not developed driver packages for all of their machines, especially older ones. Never the less, W7 uses Vista drivers, so it is quite possible to install it on many older systems that were approved for Vista, and even some older machines still. I in fact have installed it on a Dell Inspiron e1505 and an IBM ThinkPad T40, neither of which was approved for it and both of which seem to be running it just fine. Though I did have to bring the T40s RAM up to a full gig.

As your machine is already running Vista, it should have no difficulty running Windows 7. I suggest the Home Premium version, unless you really need the extra bells and whistles of Pro or Ultimate. Also, if your machine is 64 bit capable, by all means go with the 64 bit OS. It makes a huge difference with processor-intensive applications.

Thanks for the information, I am at a public library as my computer has or is crashing as my recovery disk is maxed out. Should I take it to Best Buy or a retailer and have them fix the driver problem, and reset and erase some of the disk. I have installed the vista three times? and the space is full?

Could I take it to someone and have them install windows 7 and do all the stuff I can not comprehend? Or wait for the Mircosoft fellow to email me back? I do not go to the p sites, ha ha. I have the 32 bit system.

Even if you have little knowledge of what you are doing, it is still fairly simple to install a clean copy of Windows 7. It is a much less complex install than XP for example. As for your hard drive, I highly recommend wiping it clean, which you can do during the installation.

If however, you are truly uncomfortable with doing the work yourself, I recommend you find the best computer shop in town and have them do it for you.

Before I say anything else, may I ask what model of machine you have. I believe you said you had a Dell laptop. Given the model, I will be able to make a better recommendation.

Inspirion 1501 32 bit os which I bought in 2006.

So if I go to Best Buy for example and tell them I want to upgrade Vista to Windows 7 they will sell me the disk/software which I would load in to the cd and follow the directions, and you say I need to wipe the hard drive clean, would this clear up the problem of C/:recovery disk is full and causing my computer screen to go crazy (shaking) and making me think it wants to plow black smoke and shoot sparks?

It should, yes. Windows 7 does have certain minimum system requirements to be able to run, but the basic e1501 system should be able to run Windows 7 just fine so long as you have at least a full gig of RAM.

I do have one very important question. How long has it been since your machine, which you say is about 4 years old, was taken apart and dusted out? The problem is that computers are the worlds greatest dust collectors. Unless they are dusted out regularly, the heat exchangers become clogged, the CPU begins to overheat, and all kinds of Bad Things begin to happen.

From what I am hearing, it might be a very good thing to take this to your local Geek Squad shop and have them give it the once-over-lightly. That is, to take it apart and dust it out, make sure that nothing is fried and that it meets minimum specs (and if necessary, add RAM) and load Windows 7 for you. I think you might find yourself to be lightyears ahead this way. You might also consider other upgrades if they can do them for you economically.

Incidentally, my e1505 is very similar to your e1501, except that it is an Intel where yours is an AMD. They are of the same age also, and as I've said, mine runs Windows 7 quite nicely.

Hello,

Computer problems are the pits; Dr. Moose has good information but not quite suitable to your situation in that your computer may not have enough RAM, although the system requirements listed for upgrade to W7 are 1GB in experience 2GB of RAM is what you should have. Because your system will use some of the memory in normal operation and W7 will glitch so just get 2GB.

However I don't think you need it; W7, if you were setting up an extensive network or work involving intense graphics then yeah but if not there's no advantage to W7 over Vista, I like Vista like it was made for me.

The trouble you're experiencing is due to an update which causes a black screen and the update has been patched so no worries. Also when installing Vista choose the option of a fresh install, this will wipe the previous data and return the space. When the screen shows "HARD DRIVE" options select advanced and use the provided help to create a new partition for the install make it about 32GB-35GB on a 32bit. Then proceed with the install.

After installing Vista you need a internet security suite or at least A/V so now is the time for the disc or if is a download Avira is a great free one and downloads the quickest. Go to Avira.com look to the left pane select 'downloads' select the personal free version and git'r done ASAP. A new clean PC on line without protection will be compromised in about 8 minutes.

Now as the Windows updates proceed sometimes a black screen will occur that isn't abnormal because it is a function of the loading process; be patient.

Let us know how it goes...

Bwire, my friend, somehow I am not surprised that you'd like Vista. You are one in a million.

I agree with you that Windows 7 will run better with 2 gigs of RAM, but then so will Vista. Furthermore, both will run better with a faster processor and a bigger hard drive. If this were my machine, I would upgrade to a Turion X2, 2 gigs of RAM and at least a 120 gig drive. However, where you and I can do these modifications in our sleep, this fellow is not quite up to our level of expertise and neither of us is there to do them for him. Which means he'd have to both pay for the labor and buy the parts at Best Buy, which appears to be where he's going to have the work done. That's likely to be a bit costly. Of course it's possible that this is not a base unit and may already have the Turion X2, the RAM and the bigger hard drive.

As for which is the better OS, Vista or W7, for a non-guru, I would honestly have to say that W7 is rather easier to work with and to keep working. For someone like yourself, perhaps the extra bells and whistles are worth the extra gigs and hassles. I presume you have Vista Ultimate 64 bit? For a humble hardware geek such as myself, I really do prefer W7, and virtually everyone I know thus far does too, with exception to my ex-wife, who like you really likes Vista.

By the way, why the partition? Remember, if this is a base e1501, it's only got a 60gig drive to begin with. Personally, I hate having a single drive partitioned into multiple logical drives. But, that's just me.

I am back, I took the computer geeks advise and bought a new laptop. The work and possiblity of failure was too much of a risk. The HP was 479.00 plus tax and has windows 7. Pretty much the same type of computer as I had only newer and I read the booklet this time.

Thanks for all your input, all is very valuable to me and I will explore all your comments and read up on them so I understand.