Upgrading to Vista Ultimate from Vista Home Premium
12/3/2007 8:05:39 PM
I just started on day two of upgrading my laptop to Vista Ultimate from Vista Home Premium. This all started from not being able to install all of the SQL 2005 Developer Edition. After pretty much a full day Saturday split between researching WHY I couldn't install all of these features and working I finally stumbled upon Bill Staple's blog (IIS Team Lead) and realized that the reason why I couldn't install these features was because of the fact that Home Premium doesn't allow for one to enable Windows Authentication for IIS (SQL Reporting Services).
I spent between 12-15 hours on Saturday fighting with and cursing at my laptop. After purchasing the reasonably-priced $159 upgrade I closed all programs, disabled all USB devices, turned off anti-virus, internet connection, etc.. and put in the Windows Anytime Upgrade DVD. Get to the screen where I have the option for Recommended (Upgrade) and Custom (Clean Install). "Upgrade and save your programs and files." Sounded like a winner. Boooooyyyyy was I wrong.
I start the upgrade and then head outside to grab some firewood thinking it would just start like every other installation disc on the planet. I then thought to myself, "Wait. Vista.", then I kind of lol'ed to myself.
"Installing Files" 100%
"Gathering Files" 0% ... (freezes after 10 minutes)
I read a blog about someone have this screen freeze (hang-up, stop, etc..) when Gathering Files gets to 21%. I would've loved to get to 21% with this damn thing. I CTRL+ALT+DEL out of the installation and after 10 more minutes of (NOT RESPONDING) I eject the disk and wait it out. Another 5 minutes or so and I reboot.
I try the above steps about 7 more times with no luck. Actually, if you consider luck getting to 27% and staying there for 8 hours and then cursing and wanting to punt-kick my laptop off of the deck into the snow at 3:30am then maybe I had a little.
My next idea is to start the upgrade process again, but this time in Safe Mode. It makes perfect sense. "We're Sorry, Upgrade isn't available in Safe Mode." SON OF A BITCH!!
This morning I am feeling defeat. I get up at 7:00am and fixate on the idea of buying a nice 500GB external HD and performing a clean install. "What's important here?" I convince myself that I only need Visual Studio 2005 / 2008 projects, my TortoiseSVN Repository, SQL 2005 databases, digital images, and my extensive collection of legally-obtained digital music. Easy enough to restore. My girlfriend offers to run into town and buy this external hd for me so I can get some work done. I end up backing-up all of my data and transferring it to my handy 500GB USB HD. Game time.
Like before I unplugged all of my USB devices, disables virus scan, etc, etc... and proceeded with the installation. The installation gets to Expanding Files (27%) and then hangs for about 20 minutes before I realize nothing is going on. The non-flickering HD light was more proof. I eject the disk and reboot. I then think it would be wise to try installing in Safe Mode. So I start frantically beating the F8 key so that I can boot in Safe Mode. I start the clean install and 7-10 minutes later I see my screen turn blank. "Shit!!!!!! Wait.... REBOOT!!!!!!!!!!!" Initiate fist-pumping sequence. It was the first of several reboots so I haven't won yet but this is world's better than the last half-dozen or so failed attempts.
About a half-hour later I get the coveted configuration screen where I get to pick my username, machine name, set the clock, etc... More fist-pumping.
I must say, Vista Ultimate is world's better than Home Premium so far. I haven't had my screen, IE, VS, or SQL freeze once! The painful upgrading process doesn't even hold a candle to the hanging and NOT RESPONDING'ing I have experienced over the last couple of months.
Will - 1
Vista - 0
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