Ahh I screwed up big time, Vista/XP

matt.love84 · 12-25-2007, 12:50 PM

Well a month or so ago I decided to try Vista Ultimate, not thinking to myself I upgraded the desktop with the trial version and so forth.

Well, I put a few little things on there (pictures, music, documents, etc).. well, I haven't used this desktop in a couple weeks or so and now that I'm back It will ONLY let me connect my computer to the internet. I can't get into my own desktop, Start Menu, etc.. It's now asking for a product key.

To be honest I hated vista(I also don't want to spend $350 on it) and will gladly go back to my bought version of XP.. only thing is, how in the hell can I get to those images/documents/music I saved once I stick my Dell Restore Disc back in?

If ANYONE can help me it would be SO very greatly appreciated. Thank you

Ninjaneer · 12-25-2007, 03:57 PM

I'm not familiar with Vista (still on XP). What do you mean it'll only let you connect to the Internet? Don't you have to get onto your desktop normally first?

Anyway I would advise you not to use your "restore disc" till you've located and backed up your documents/photos. Usually these restore discs will get rid of everything you had and you'll lose everything.

You could install XP on a different drive and try to load with that as your OS to access the files... but that's a tedious process and doesn't get rid of Vista in the end... and I'm not sure if this is possible with Vista on there at the moment. I've done this before with Win98 then going to WinXP.

Or perhaps someone can point out a Linux boot disc solution that'll allow you to temporarily go in through Linux and grab what you need. I know these methods exist but haven't tried them personally to point you in the right direction.

FirstClass · 12-25-2007, 11:09 PM

Yeah, grab a boot disk spin it up them copy your stuff to a flash drive. Easy.

Comet · 12-26-2007, 02:45 AM

put that hard drive as a slave drive on a friend's PC, copy the stuff, format, install XP and done

off topic: why didnt u like Vista? I prefer it to XP

UncleWede · 12-26-2007, 11:57 AM

It will only allow you to connect to the internet to validate after (30?) days.

FirstClass · 12-27-2007, 03:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Comet

off topic: why didnt u like Vista? I prefer it to XP

Probably because it's slow as hell (kills FPS) and doesn't add any new features that can't be had in XP. They scrapped all the truly revolutionary changes as too hard/long to implement.

UltimateBMW · 01-10-2008, 04:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FirstClass

Probably because it's slow as hell (kills FPS) and doesn't add any new features that can't be had in XP. They scrapped all the truly revolutionary changes as too hard/long to implement.

Unless your a gamer, in which case it gives you Directx 10.

Comet · 01-10-2008, 05:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FirstClass

Probably because it's slow as hell (kills FPS) and doesn't add any new features that can't be had in XP. They scrapped all the truly revolutionary changes as too hard/long to implement.

slow as hell? my PC runs way faster since Vista... :/

mds82 · 01-10-2008, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Comet

put that hard drive as a slave drive on a friend's PC, copy the stuff, format, install XP and done

that do this. just take the drive out and put it into another PC. this way you'll be able to get all the files.

AWD Addict · 01-10-2008, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Comet

slow as hell? my PC runs way faster since Vista... :/

Not with just a gig of ram, though, which would run XP just fine - maybe that's it? Vista is a RAM whore.

DX10 is too young to be worth upgrading for yet. Crysis looks great in DX9, for example. If you're an IT tech, it's a different story, obviously, but XP is still a great OS. Given I'm basically my family's IT Tech (built all their computers), I'll be going to Vista soon so that when it's time to upgrade them, I'll be up to speed.

Either way, if you're already on vista, don't go back. Go buy a few more sticks of memory and keep going. No sense on going backwards at this point.

12-25-2007, 12:50 PM	#1
matt.love84 xXx 67 Rep 82 Posts Drives: 2006 E90. Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: San Diego, CA iTrader: (0)	Ahh I screwed up big time, Vista/XP Well a month or so ago I decided to try Vista Ultimate, not thinking to myself I upgraded the desktop with the trial version and so forth. Well, I put a few little things on there (pictures, music, documents, etc).. well, I haven't used this desktop in a couple weeks or so and now that I'm back It will ONLY let me connect my computer to the internet. I can't get into my own desktop, Start Menu, etc.. It's now asking for a product key. To be honest I hated vista(I also don't want to spend $350 on it) and will gladly go back to my bought version of XP.. only thing is, how in the hell can I get to those images/documents/music I saved once I stick my Dell Restore Disc back in? If ANYONE can help me it would be SO very greatly appreciated. Thank you
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12-25-2007, 03:57 PM	#2
Ninjaneer Shadow Warrior 151 Rep 2,095 Posts Drives: '07 335i Sedan Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Florida iTrader: (0)	I'm not familiar with Vista (still on XP). What do you mean it'll only let you connect to the Internet? Don't you have to get onto your desktop normally first? Anyway I would advise you not to use your "restore disc" till you've located and backed up your documents/photos. Usually these restore discs will get rid of everything you had and you'll lose everything. You could install XP on a different drive and try to load with that as your OS to access the files... but that's a tedious process and doesn't get rid of Vista in the end... and I'm not sure if this is possible with Vista on there at the moment. I've done this before with Win98 then going to WinXP. Or perhaps someone can point out a Linux boot disc solution that'll allow you to temporarily go in through Linux and grab what you need. I know these methods exist but haven't tried them personally to point you in the right direction. __________________ 335i E90 / Arctic / Gray / Burl Walnut / Steptronic / ZPP / ZSP / Paddles / CA / Nav / PDC / OEM Spoiler Mods: PIAA Angel Eyes, Rear Fog Switch, Escort X50 Blue hardwire, 30% Charcoal Llumar Installing soon: Rear Power Outlets (Happy Robot mod!)
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12-26-2007, 02:45 AM	#4
Comet Troll Harder 403 Rep 596 Posts Drives: 997 GT3, 997 4 GTS, X6M Join Date: May 2007 Location: Montreal, Beirut iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 Porsche GT3 [8.00] 2012 Porsche 4 GTS [5.34]	put that hard drive as a slave drive on a friend's PC, copy the stuff, format, install XP and done off topic: why didnt u like Vista? I prefer it to XP __________________
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12-26-2007, 11:57 AM	#5
UncleWede Long Time Admirer, First Time Owner 18454 Rep 9,428 Posts Drives: G01 X3 M40i Dark Graphite Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Oxnard, CA iTrader: (0)	It will only allow you to connect to the internet to validate after (30?) days.
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