Upgrade installation from vista to 7 - files not transferred! - HELP

**tinkerbell** · 07-05-2009

I did an upgrade installation of windows 7 using vista, and purposely selected the 'upgrade' option in the hope that it would transfer all my files across, but it failed.

During the installation it came up with a 'driver not found' message. (or something like that) It then exited the setup and said that any changes made to the system so far will not be saved.

Then it restarted and came up with a DOS window inside windows 7 saying something about an 'X' drive, which i don't even have! I exited and it resarted again.

Then when it restarted there were 2 options, something like:
1. Windows recovery/rollback
2. Startup using vista.

I selected the vista option and it carried on installing. I created a new username and password and w/e and completed the setup. Then then said "starting windows 7 for the first time".

Now windows 7 is working but its like its done a brand new install and hasnt transferred all my files, settings and programs properly like I'd hoped. (The username that I created in the setup is new.)

Instead its scattered them all around in these 4 folders in the Vista C drive:

$INPLACE.~TR
$UPGRADE.~OS
$WINDOWS.~LS
$WINDOWS.~Q

Everything is still there, but its all been separated and spread around in the above folders. Inside the INPLACE and WINDOWSQ ones there's even a folder named after my old vista account.

It seems like it made a back up of all my files and data in these folders but failed to import them properly.

Is there a way I can recover/import them?

If it makes any difference I have a Toshiba Satellite Pro laptop. (I've noticed that there are lots of toshiba specific errors with windows 7)

Any help is appreciated, thanks :]

**netkase** · 11-03-2009

I have the same issue. Anyone have a solution?

**tblount** · 11-03-2009

x drive is the drive letter assigned to the dvd drive when you boot to the install disk in it.

As for an automatic fix, I wouldn't risk losing what you have without at least getting another drive or usb device and backing up to it.

You should be able to recover your work files and images and documents from those backups and reinstall your probrams again. You will have a much more solid system that if you actually did a vista upgrade.

**Saltgrass** · 11-03-2009

Have you checked with Toshiba?

What version of Vista were you using to do an in-place upgrade to Windows 7 (what version)? Where did you get your software?

I have not seen this problem before. But it appears your programs will have to be reinstalled as was mentioned. I do not know why, but anyone else wanting to keep their programs select the rollback option.

It looks to me like someone wrote the upgrade software to continue no matter what and felt removing prior drivers and everything else was better than a blue screen or a halt.

**Saq2k7** · 11-04-2009

Exact Same Problem

Just updated my pc from the student steal deal from microsoft - Vista 32bit to Win 7 32bit - and all my stuff is gone !!! its like a clean install had just happened !!! When i chose a upgrade any help please !!! But the ammount of space taken up on my laptop is still about the same so the files must be somewhere i just dunno where and how to access them

I found the files OP is talking about but my music folder video folder - actually just about all the folder have nothing inside them !!!

Someone please help us

**tblount** · 11-04-2009

Originally Posted by Saq2k7

Exact Same Problem

Just updated my pc from the student steal deal from microsoft - Vista 32bit to Win 7 32bit - and all my stuff is gone !!! its like a clean install had just happened !!! When i chose a upgrade any help please !!! But the ammount of space taken up on my laptop is still about the same so the files must be somewhere i just dunno where and how to access them

I found the files OP is talking about but my music folder video folder - actually just about all the folder have nothing inside them !!!

Someone please help us

The files are somewhere. Try searching your entire drive for *.mp3 if that doesn't work, go to the command prompt and run these two commands:

cd\

attrib *.mp3 /s

that should find all music that is in mp3 format on your drive and tell you where it is located

**teamgs** · 11-08-2009

Originally Posted by Saq2k7

Exact Same Problem

Just updated my pc from the student steal deal from microsoft - Vista 32bit to Win 7 32bit - and all my stuff is gone !!! its like a clean install had just happened !!! When i chose a upgrade any help please !!! But the ammount of space taken up on my laptop is still about the same so the files must be somewhere i just dunno where and how to access them

I found the files OP is talking about but my music folder video folder - actually just about all the folder have nothing inside them !!!

Someone please help us

Look for the "$INPLACE.~TR" folder. You should find your data in there.

I had the same issue...I have a second drive with all my data, as I have removeable drives with multiple OS's.
The W7 upgrade from Vista took it upon itself to attempt a move of all my data from the "My Documents" folder on the data drive. Imagine my surprize when I attempted to access my data. Doh! The folders were there, but no data!
Found them in the "$INPLACE.~TR" folder on that drive.
It is almost as if the file moving failed mid-way, because I can't find them any where on the OS drive.
I need to post this on the MS Tech site.
BTW, I did have a recent backup, but didn't look forward to restoring a couple of hundred gigs of data.

Gary

**sleven** · 12-15-2009

I have the same problem with my "upgrade" over the weekend. Has anybody had any luck with a solution?

**teamgs** · 12-15-2009

Hi slevin,
The only way I am aware of is to find your data in the folder I mentioned previously, then copy it back to the proper place. Assuming that you are having the same issue we have had. I don't recall if it is marked as hidden, or a system folder, so you might have to change your folder view settings to see it.

Good luck!

Gary

**sleven** · 12-15-2009

Thanks Gary. I tried moving some of the folders, but ran into multiple ownership/permission issues. All of my previous programs will not work, can't view my pictures, can't listen to my music, etc. Changed ownership and permissions case by case, but still having issues with most of my programs. Going to try to restore and then repair install, but I'm not holding my breath. Did you ever post this on the MS TEch site?