Tried to download & install SP1.  Several attempts got me to the end where it said 100% complete, then 'upgrade unsuccessful - reverting changes'.   MIcrosoft troubleshooting said to run a check disk.  I did that and now VISTA will not boot up - black screen after Dell logo.  Safe mode - forget it.  Booted up from the drivers and utility disk Dell sent me with the PC and ran a Sympton Test.  Got all kinds of errors on the hard drive.  Tried booting from the VISTA installation disk Dell also sent me but only option is a clean re-install (will wipe out my data).  The option to "upgrade" is grayed out.  Sooooo, now what????

 

1) Is there a way to do a re-install using the Dell provided cd on the original drive without erasing my data?  (after reading about my data being lost I did not click "next".  Just aborted the inststall)

2) Or, should I buy a new HD, do a clean install on it, and copy my data from the original drive?

 

Help????

 

Thanks !!!!!!!!!