"stevesl" <stevesl@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote

> SOLVED!!
>
> It appears that the UPGRADE / Installation process was disrupted by my
> having external hard drives connected to the system. I have two USB
> external
> hard drives (Western Digital Media (something) and a Maxtor (something))
> connected to serve as external backup drives. I had the drives connected
> and
> on during the "Advisor" process, and no problem was indicated. However -
> as
> noted in my initial posting - the installation seemed to drag on for hours
> (from 6 AM until 9 PM) until I finally gave up.
>
> As I saw some references to problems encounter with external hard drives,
> I
> decided to try the install / upgrade without the drives activated. The
> process WORKED! The install took around 3.5 hours. The only OTHER problem
> was
> that after the install, the NETWORK ADAPTER CARD (3-COM) WASN'T recognized
> and so I couldn't access the internet any longer (curious since I upgraded
> using the "via internet" process(!). I replaced the adapter with a new
> ~$15
> Network Everywhere (Linksys?) adapter and immediately re-established
> connectivity.
>
> This upgrade was NOT simple, but it seems to be working after a bit of
> messing around.
>
> BTW - it DOESN'T appear that the WD external drive works with VISTA - WD
> what's up?
>
> "stevesl" wrote:
>
>> I am trying to upgrade my older PC's operating system from XP (Home
>> Edition-
>> service Pack 2) to Vista Home Premium. I've run the Upgrade Advisor and
>> performed all Pre-installation tasks (removed Roxio, disabled virus
>> detection, etc.). The Advisor indicates that Vista will run on the
>> system -
>> although the maximum memory is limited to 512MB.
>>
>> The install / upgrade seemed to progress nomally - although it took
>> several
>> hours - but following one of the system install reboots, all that was
>> displayed was a blank (black) screen with the white mouse pointer -
>> nothing
>> else. After 8 hours of "waiting for something to happen", I concluded
>> that
>> the install failed and restored XP(fortunately).
>>
>> Any thoughts / suggestions as to what went wrong and how I might proceed?


I have two WD external USB drives, both work. Try rebooting then plug them
in, see if it finds the drivers for them.

--
Rock [MVP - User/Shell]