Vista Clean Install Woes

I clean installed 32-bit Windows Vista 12 times in the past 3 days. Every single time there is a problem where 1) computer crashes/freezes randomly, most likely due to the turbo memory driver, 2) processor spikes to 50% usage every 5 seconds, making even web browsing impossible. - These things are happening after installing ALL of the important and recommended Vista updates through Windows Update.

I followed the instructions exactly as they were laid out in stallen's guide.

I NEED TO ACCESS THE HIDDEN PARTITION AND JUST RESTORE IT TO LENOVO'S BLOATED BUT WORKING FACTORY SETUP. Unfortunately, it looks like the format wiped Rescue and Recovery from the hard disk. How can I re-install off the hidden partition now?

 

Your post is a little unclear, you wiped the recovery partition? If you did, it's gone. You made the recovery discs, no?

 

First of all, laptops do not require bloatware to run properly. The factory install is the Vista OS + bloatware. If your laptop will not operate properly after doing a clean install, but it was working with the factory install, then something went wrong during the install process. I made sure to include a section in the guide for those that will not be able to follow the guide.

It states very clearly in the guide in BIG bold print to "backup all your data" and to "make recovery disks". Further, it explains that deleting the hidden partition is optional.

If you made recovery disks as outlined in the guide, then you should be able to recover using them. If the recovery disks don't work then call tech support for assistance.

However, if you just follow the clean install guide as it is outlined (this includes downloading and manually installing the drivers yourself and in the exact same order as in the guide) you should find that the clean install will provide a stable system. If you have instability after doing a clean install the way it is actually described in the guide then you probably have some sort of hardware issue. Call tech support.

 

Two questions -- 1) did you install the Intel Chipset Driver and 2) How much RAM is in your machine? The box will be unstable without the Intel Chipset Drivers and Vista is (a bit of) a pig memory wise. If you ordered your machine light on RAM, be sure to add more. 1.5GB is really the reasonable minimum, 2+GB recommended in my opinion.

 

I'd yank out that turbo memory out of the system and see if it'll work. (I don't mean it literally) If it isn't that then it sounds like another problem with a driver someplace.

Something else that might be worth looking at is a power supply issue.

 

Geeze... why do people keep pointing there finger at turbo memory. There are so many threads of people blaming Turbo Memory for an issue, then the OP chimes in and says "but I don't have Turbo Memory."

Sure I know this OP has Turbo Memory, but really, Turbo Memory is far too often improperly blamed. I'm convinced that the only possible issue Turbo Memory can cause (since the driver update in August) is if the actually hardware is faulty. Meaning, it's possible that one could have a Turbo Memory module that needs replaced. Just like it is possible to have faulty RAM.

 

Well, the crappy driver Intel had for it doesn't help its reputation. It'll probably be a while before its a trusted even with the updates to the driver. It also has to do with device elimination, less stuff inside to be causing the problem.

It is a good idea to use memtest first but does it also test out the turbo memory? If it doesn't then thats one device thats untested.

Last thing that could be faulty is the power brick, since instability is usually a trademark of a bad psu but that could only be a suspect if the ram and turbo memory is cleared.