I'm wondering whether anyone can help me. Because this is becoming a real pain in the @$$.

I recently purchased Vista Ultimate and.. well here it is in detail:

1) I load up Windows XP and pop in the disk and go through the prompts to get to "Update" or "Custom Install" Now because I want to keep all files, settings and programs, I select Update.

2) The installer gets installing, doing its' thing and then once it gets to Expanding Files at around 23-27% it comes up with the following error message:

"Windows could not prepare the computer to boot into the next phase of installation. To install windows restart the installation."

So once I see this, I click OK and restart the installation in case it's just a one-off thing. This just continues happening. I've tried Google with barely anything useful as a response.

Just in case someone needs the info, here are my computer specs

Intel Dual Core Processor
Windows XP SP3
1gb RAM
80GB standard hdd - 40gb free (C drive, where i wish to install Vista)
320gb external hdd - plenty free (D drive, just a spare drive for Pearl Jam stuff, etc)

Also, in my Boot.ini file it has the following message:

Warning: Boot.ini is used on Windows XP and earlier operating systems.
Warning: Use BCDEDIT.exe to modify Windows Vista boot options

I dunno if that means anything, but because the error had something to do with a boot, I thought perhaps the Boot.ini file would have more info, and that's it really.

If anyone could help, it'd be absolutely fantastic! Even a link to a useful Google search or something would help.
Does anyone have any ideas? Or has anyone been able to fix this before? I hope I haven't wasted a load of money on something useless.

Your hard drive needs to be optimized manually with an electro magnet. Get one at the hardware store.

If I can't figure out what to do, then that's what I'll end up doing eh? Either that or just throw the DVD at some random bum living in the street who doesn't even have a computer. Why? Because it's useless!

have you by chance overclocked your PC in the bios? if so, thats your problem

read here

Nah I don't mess around with my BIOS. And I get to the Expanding Files part before it gives the message.

pussy, overclock that shit!

I'd love to, but my BIOS doesn't have any options to overclock. It's normally in a menu called "Cell Menu" in a Microstar BIOS, but that menu doesn't exist in my version. I even tried upgrading bios and everything. I'd love to overclock but yeah....

Which is why I decided to upgrade to Vista, but I can't seem to be able to do that either without a clean install.

Why in the name of sweet baby Jesus would you "upgrade" to Vista? STICK WITH XP until 7 comes out.

ive had a toshiba laptop now for close to a year running vista, and i can honestly say, those commercials about vista sucking are complete and utter bullshit, and their only servicable feet to date has been to get that shithead into the latest die hard

I get that same message when I try to do an upgrade to the 7 BETA. If this can't be fixed then there's no way I could ever upgrade.

Clean installations are always best.

Back up your data and format, unless you only have an upgrade disc. With prior Windows operating system upgrade discs you were able to install on a clean hardrive as long as you had another copy of a Windows OS. I'm not sure if Vista allows it.

Perhaps a clean installation would be the way to go. Would it be worth backing up my Program Files and copying them back across to Vista, to save re-installing everything. Fair enough I may have to re-install some apps that require other files or whatever. But would this save me some time and effort?

Thanks for your help

ive never copied over program files, as most programs, during the installation write to the registry. you can try it, if some programs you have dont do that (pretty sure most if not all do write to the registry though)

otherwise hopefully you have the disks or zip files saved on your harddrive somewhere to be copied to

Peeps is correct. Most programs should be reinstalled. You might spend a good bit of time doing this but it shouldn't take too long.

Your welcome.

Thanks to the both of you! I've successfully installed Vista (clean install worked a treat!) and I'm in the process of re-installing programs now. I love it already!

I've had a Dell laptop running Vista for about a year and it sucks ass.

same situation, but mine has been awesome

I stole your laptop and have been using it for a year and it sucks ass.

that explains why I keep bumping into you and the "I <3 Larry Quinn" background

Well for the past 5 days I've been using Vista, and I think it's excellent. Can't wait to see 7!