NEW PROBLEM, SEE BELOW!

So the graphics card I bought ended up getting back-ordered until yesterday. I slapped it in and got everything running, until I got to the OS: Changing everything in the PC is causing (OEM?) Vista to deauthenticate. Will the Windows 7 Upgrade version I purchased a while back fail to work with the OS in my old hard drive?

It shouldn't. I have heard of people having problems, but I did not. The upgrade disks generally work very well. All of your old files are even placed in a separate folder called "windows.old"

Nope - you can even install from the upgrade to a clean disk (without entering a key), then reinstall with a key and it'll activate just fine.

You can install Windows 7 upgrade on a clean HD but it requires a little workaround.

Your first time through Windows 7 will install files to the harddisk and then prompts for your product key. Entering a Windows 7 Upgrade key at this point will generate an 'Invalid Key' error. Just reboot and begin installation again.

The 2nd time, Windows 7 detects a previously installed Microsoft OS and will accept your product key.

That's comforting to hear, but I still have information on the hard drive that I need. I suppose I could put together a linux thumbdrive and do all of my backing up. Is there any chance the Windows 7 install will detect the files on the invalidated Vista install and back them up conveniently even though it's invalidated? Even if it does, I suppose I should still boot from the thumb drive and try to back it up.

Ahem.

I realize it does that when you're properly upgrading. I am NOT properly upgrading, I'm upgrading an install that no longer works. Will it still carry my files over?

That's what I did, and it still gave me the option to keep all of my old files.

I don't think it cares if the install works, it just sees windows files and puts them in that folder.

As long as you're doing a clean install from an existing Windows installation it will put your old files into Windows.old

The only time it doesn't do that is if

• You're installing from scratch
• You're doing an upgrade installation

So I downloaded the 64 Bit W7 box files, and when I transfer them to the old hard drive and extract after the "Use your computer with limited functionality..." dialogue, an error indicates that the installer doesn't have permission to make folders/files.

Any ideas? I've got a bootable 8 gig USB stick that I'm using for this, could I make a bootable install drive with it?

Did this download come from one of those student discount Windows deal thingies? Yeah, there's a bug with the 64-bit version of those (although I thought they fixed it, but maybe not). It won't unpack properly in 32-bit Windows. Did the site you bought it from also give you the option of downloading an ISO? Because that will work if you can do that.

Otherwise, try this:

http://www.notebooks.com/2009/10/23/how-to-fix-the-cant-unpack-windows-7-student-upgrade-error/

It wasn't a student discounted download, but that seems to be exactly what's happening. Can I boot the iso off of the thumb drive? I cannot run daemon tools or anything on the nerfed machine. Edit: I found a tool from microsoft to make an iso thumb drive.

You could have just reauthenticated Vista by now for the upgrade ...

I didn't think I could reauthenticate with MS since it was OEM Vista and I've changed everything? Oh well, I'm already building the thumb drive.

Edit: And I'd still have this 32 bit problem with unpackaging anyway.

I authenticated Vista and was trying to fix a red hue to the screen, only to discover that it was a loose graphics cable plug. Then a few minutes later after a driver install and restart, the machine suddenly power-failed. I checked the power cable but it's continued to happen, usually 30 seconds or so into startup, or right after windows is done loading. There are no beeps.

*sigh*

Either Jon`C was right and I've fried my RAM, but BIOS still shows all 4 gigs, or my Power Supply is bad, or the motherboard is fried. How can I figure out my problem, or could there be a much less serious problem? I'm wishing on the lack of beeps.

EDIT: It happens when in bios for too long, too.

Man, computers sure are giving you a hard time. I feel for you.

Ug. You are having some awful luck. I forget, was this a new powersupply?

Yes, one you suggested. It seems like it stays up longer when I unplug the many external HDD's I have, but that could be a subconscious wish that it's the Power Supply.

If you can get to the BIOS clearly all your ram is not fried. Do you think the interface to the BIOS setup works through magic?

Boot from a Linux LiveCD and run memtest to be sure though.

or d/l the bootable memtest.

My guess would be a motherboard issue. I would try resetting the cmos. Try booting with absolute minimum hardware installed/enabled (1 memstick, disable unneeded onboard things like usb/audio/printer/serial). Like MaZZ said, see if you can complete a full memtest run from a livecd.

What exactly components did you bring from the old PC- harddrive, optical drive? If you have spares laying around try swapping those out, maybe it's possible one of them has an short.

Do I need to remove the Processor or something to reset the cmos? Also, I'm insecure about monkeying with the RAM now, how can I make sure I'm discharged?

I have class today, so I'll be running memtest and whatnot later tonight and reporting back.

Thanks again for everyone's awesome patience and help!

There should be a reset CMOS/BIOS jumper. It's usually 3 pins, located near the battery. With the power cord disconnected, change the jumper so it makes a connection between the other two pins. Press the power button to completely discharge the computer. Change the jumper back to it's default position. Plug in, and boot up.

If you cant find the CMOS/BIOS jumper you can remove the battery for a few minutes.

I wouldnt worry too much about the ram, usually I just make physical contact with the metal case before touching anything inside.