Anilrgowda

Key Question: Will doing an upgrade installation of Vista carry over XP registry and application problems into Vista? Need I do a clean install of XP before doing the upgrade installation? I'd rather not: I have so many apps installed and don't have installation sources and/or registration keys for a number of key apps. But I've don't want to perpetuate the current problems.

Background: After 2 years my XP installation has barnacles; accumulated junk from numerous SW installs/uninstalls. Range of problems include:

* slow response on a very fast machine
* intermittent stability issues, such as BSOD PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA 0x50 in win32k.sys during logoffs
* registry permissions problems (as Administrator) causing installation problems
- Error 1406.Could not write value Version to key \SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Active Setup\Installed Components\{xxxxxxxxxx}

My hardware is Vista-capable and I will be able to get Vista drivers for all devices.

Anilrgowda

AriM you can run a repair/re-installation of xp without losing your files,
if your experiencing problems with curent xp do you have xpsp2 installed?
If creating a new profile does not reconcile the problem have you looked into events erors and any logs there is quite a few steps you can do to fix the problem,
the first o nmy list is to look at the age of the hd and and the computer,
age deteriates of course ram
clogs the regestry
adding new programs softare the original PSU may no nolonger be sufficient.
You could buy a new hdd same brand and size as this one
install your copy of xp clean then slave your most programs will run from this hd in a slave mode all you need to do is create a shortcut to them and add to the desktop.

Perform a reinstallation of Windows XP, sometimes called a repair installation?

You will need the COA key on the sticker and the xp setup disc that is installed on the computer<< if you dont have this setup disc that is curently installed as most have the sp1 xpsetup disc and add sp2 on DONOT peform this:

Configure your computer to start from the CD-ROM drive. Then insert your Windows XP Setup CD, and restart your computer.

When the Press any key to boot from CD message is displayed on your screen, press a key to start your computer from the Windows XP CD.

Press ENTER when you see the message To setup Windows XP now, and then press ENTER displayed on the Welcome to Setup screen.

Do not choose the option to press R to use the Recovery Console.

In the Windows XP Licensing Agreement, press F8 to agree to the license agreement.

Make sure that your current installation of Windows XP is selected in the box, and then press R to repair Windows XP.

Follow the instructions on the screen to complete Setup.