Prtoblem with Vista Ultimate Upgrade over WinXPsp3

[PaladinMJ]

Ok I just upgraded to Vista Ultimate for work related reasons. The thing is most everything runs but when I open I text file in notepad then right click to select all or what ever before the context menu comes up I get an error that shuts down what ever program I was running. Jest now I ran Paint to paste a screen shot and went edit>paste but as soon as I opened the edit menu Crash! so i tried Paint.net same thing. I then right clicked the paint.net short cut and hit "run as Administrator" and I could paste the screen shot into a file no sweat.

The account is a local admin account that I am logged into at the moment. so I really do not understand. the same with the windows sidebar and a few other apps if I right click anywhere in them they crash then I right6 click the shortcut and run as admin and they work. I even tried going into the properties of Windows sidebar shortcut in the star menu clicking properties>shortcut>advanced>and checking Run as Administrator but Still get the crashes when I first reboot Vista until I specifically Start it by Right clicking and hitting Run as Administrator.

If anyone knows how to fix these problems PLEASE please help me I'm beyond frustrated and can no longer think straight on this issue. I hated vista before I even had to install it now I truly despise it.  The really horrible thing is because of this problem I'm behind on a work proiject and I'f I can't suss this out and square it away I'm going to have to either pay someone else to get the proj done on time and/or lose the client/job.
I don't even know how to correctly research this issue everything I google brings up slow responding rightclick context menu probs or similar. And i Have tried those solutions just on tyhe hope and prayer that they did the trick but no joy.

I can't affrord to do a reinstall as my current Backup solution is incompatable with vista and its honestly more time i lose in an already behind-the-eightball schedule. Granted if that is the only way then i will have to do it, but that would mean installing W98SE>winXP Upgrade>Sp3>then Vista Ultimate  upgrade (and I'm not even sure this system (64bit ) will take 98SE. Anyway I hope My problem was clear and that one of you fine DC'ers know a way to help I will make a donationcredit transfer to the person that gets me out of this nightmare you have my word on that.

[steeladept]

Unfortunately for you, I do not run Vista, so I can not assist with that issue.  However, to reinstall it would not require all those steps.  Windows Secrets posted several long articles on how you can buy the upgrade version you have, then do a clean install of it from a formatted disk.  It basically boils down to installing the full version of Vista trial version, then upgrading it with the Upgrade disk.  Apparently it is a feature that Microsoft put in for occasions such as yours.  Follow the link for better details.

[wreckedcarzz]

You can do an "in-place upgrade" (as it is called by Microsoft Techs) - backup your stuff, stick in your Vista disk, reboot, go through the steps to prepare for an Upgrade (as if from XP), choose Upgrade, and it installs over itself. Its better than a full reformat because usually your programs are just as they were before, and you don't lose files or settings. EDIT: And it is faster, too. Not sure why

If that doesn't work, its back to a full fresh install.

(Note: You do NOT need an upgrade disk to do this - any Vista disk works)

[PaladinMJ]

ok.. well i will have to see about backing everything up and giving this repair install a go... my god I hope it works I really do. though the O/c part of me hates to use this solution instead of discovering a more solved the problem solution if that makes any sense lol.