A friend of mine gave me a cd with vista ultimate on it. I think it was the cracked version. I needed to upgrade my BIOS to install it. I ran the installer and it did everything it needed to (COPY windows, set up, expand files, install features, complete)
At about 60% of completing the upgrade the installer restarted windows and then the blue screen of death came up. It said it was a hardware failure i think. The installer then took over and restored XP. thank god.
So i tried it aobut 2 more times and it did the same thing again.

I previously downloaded and ran the windows vista upgrade advisor and it said everything on my computer was FINE. even the installer said everything was ok, but it was sketchy about some basic programs. no PROBLEM there.

What seems to be the problem?

I have updated to all of windows security updates as well as my bios to A08.

Computer information

Dell XPS M1210
Genuine Intel CPU
T2300 @ 1.66GHz
1Gb ram
Windows XP

The CD i have i know is not the authentic version of INSTALLING vista, but it works really well. Everything on there is legit and my friend used it a couple days ago and it worked fine.
The problem is that you are not using a Microsoft CD.

When you get one I am sure it will load fine.

i dont think that is the real problem....We don't assist with cracked versions or Warez here...hope you understand.
But as stated above it PROBABLY IS your issue whether you believe it or not...

Topic Closed.