Trouble Installing Windows Vista Premium Upgrade

richnspect · Jan 31, 2007, 03:10 AM

After downloading windows vista premium upgrade, I cannot install it. I am getting an error message stating that:

"Cannot extract windows vist setup to your hard drive. Please ensure that you can create files and folders in the same folder where VistaSetupPrep.exe was downloaded"

I downloaded the files to my desktop.

Can anyone help???

Kevin

Tipstaff · Jan 31, 2007, 05:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by richnspect

After downloading windows vista premium upgrade, I cannot install it. I am getting an error message stating that:

"Cannot extract windows vist setup to your hard drive. Please ensure that you can create files and folders in the same folder where VistaSetupPrep.exe was downloaded"

I downloaded the files to my desktop.

Can anyone help???

Kevin

First up, welcome to the forums.

Some setup programs don't like to be buried deep within folders, especially where the length of the folders name is long (which can get compounded with each new subfolder within that folder, and so on). What you might want to try doing is creating a folder called Vistaset (or something that has a maximum of 8 letters) off of the root to your hard drive (normally C:\ ), and try the setup again from there.

TaoSan · Feb 8, 2007, 12:53 AM

The problem is indeed a 64bit problem.

When you run the installer you will notice that it creates a directory called "Vista" that includes all the files necessary. However, trying to start setup.exe or any file for that matter from this directory will result in a "XYZ is not a valid Win32 application".

If you can live with a clean install this is what you can do (and what I did).

Backup all your files you want to keep. Go to the Microsoft website and download the Windows XP Pro x64 Trial here:

http://www.microsoft.com/products/in...c-515a0d152415

You will have to go through the short registration process and then it will let you download the trial as iso image.

After the download burn two CDs. XP Pro x64 on one, and the files located in the "Vista" Folder created before you receive the VistaSetupPrep.exe error message. It is usually created in the same folder the X14-blabla files were located. Obviously you'll need a DVD.

After doing so, install XP Pro x64. You can only do a clean install unfortunately. After x64 is installed, don't bother with any drivers or something but pop in the DVD you have burned with the Vista files.

Setup will start and you are on your way to Vista.

Voila!

I know the clean install sux and having to go through the additional download of x64 is annoying. However, it's only 577 MB, so its bearable. Maybe there are more elegant solutions, i.e. booting from a x64 boot CD or something, but I found this avenue less annoying than starting to delve into the net for a x64 boot. I thought it might work by just booting to the command prompt of the x64 CD but it didn't, at least not on my Presario laptop.

BTW, love Vista. After installing I was really apeaced after the big frustration of the non-working installer, and for those who wonder, I have not gotten any activation problems whatsoever. After installing Vista and activating it I have set the system clock to next year, it worked fine.

Have fun
T.

Jan 31, 2007, 03:10 AM	#1
richnspect DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 1 Rep Power: 0	Trouble Installing Windows Vista Premium Upgrade After downloading windows vista premium upgrade, I cannot install it. I am getting an error message stating that: "Cannot extract windows vist setup to your hard drive. Please ensure that you can create files and folders in the same folder where VistaSetupPrep.exe was downloaded" I downloaded the files to my desktop. Can anyone help??? Kevin

Feb 8, 2007, 12:53 AM	#3
TaoSan DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 1 Rep Power: 0	Got It!!!! The problem is indeed a 64bit problem. When you run the installer you will notice that it creates a directory called "Vista" that includes all the files necessary. However, trying to start setup.exe or any file for that matter from this directory will result in a "XYZ is not a valid Win32 application". If you can live with a clean install this is what you can do (and what I did). Backup all your files you want to keep. Go to the Microsoft website and download the Windows XP Pro x64 Trial here: http://www.microsoft.com/products/in...c-515a0d152415 You will have to go through the short registration process and then it will let you download the trial as iso image. After the download burn two CDs. XP Pro x64 on one, and the files located in the "Vista" Folder created before you receive the VistaSetupPrep.exe error message. It is usually created in the same folder the X14-blabla files were located. Obviously you'll need a DVD. After doing so, install XP Pro x64. You can only do a clean install unfortunately. After x64 is installed, don't bother with any drivers or something but pop in the DVD you have burned with the Vista files. Setup will start and you are on your way to Vista. Voila! I know the clean install sux and having to go through the additional download of x64 is annoying. However, it's only 577 MB, so its bearable. Maybe there are more elegant solutions, i.e. booting from a x64 boot CD or something, but I found this avenue less annoying than starting to delve into the net for a x64 boot. I thought it might work by just booting to the command prompt of the x64 CD but it didn't, at least not on my Presario laptop. BTW, love Vista. After installing I was really apeaced after the big frustration of the non-working installer, and for those who wonder, I have not gotten any activation problems whatsoever. After installing Vista and activating it I have set the system clock to next year, it worked fine. Have fun T.