Several users upgrade their operating systems from Microsoft Windows XP to Windows Vista. But in case if any error during the setup process, rollback phase is initiated. When you run the rollback phase, your system returns to previous installation of Microsoft Windows operating system. But there is no guarantee of rollback phase to be successful.

When it does not complete, no operating system can run properly and thus all hard drive partitions become inaccessible. In such situations, Partition Recovery is required to get your valuable data back.

When you come across any error message during the Microsoft Windows Vista upgrade installation, rollback phase might be either successful or unsuccessful.

Successful rollback

If rollback phase completes successfully, you could start your Microsoft Windows XP on the system. Rollback procedures restores personal data files to original location on hard drive. After successful rollback, go through underwritten steps:

Ensure that personal data files are on correct location. If these files are missing, find them in following folders:

\$WINDOWS.~Q\DATA\Documents and Settings\Username

$INPLACE.~TR\Machine\Data\DATA\Documents and Settings\Username

\Users\Username

Check setup log files to consider reason of installation failure.

Unsuccessful rollback phase

If the rollback phase does not complete successfully, you might encounter any of the following things:

Your system does not boot up and you come across an error message while trying to run your system.

You get the “Rollback Setup” error message each time when you attempt to boot your system.

If you attempt to start your previous operating system installation, you come across error message, which resembles the below error message:

Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt: File name

The hard drive boot sector still use the Bootmgr (Windows Boot Manager) in place of the NTLDR (Windows NT Loader).

Rollback data for installation is either damage or inaccessible.

In case of unsuccessful rollback operation, you need to format the hard drive and reinstall the operating system. This process has a downside that it removes all disk partitions and cause partition loss. In such situations, Windows Partition Recovery is required.

Recovery is potential through Partition Recovery Software. These tools are quite easy to use and work in most of the cases of Windows partition loss. The Partition Recovery programs maintains the integrity of your valuable data as they have read-only and non-destructive conduct.

Stellar Phoenix Windows Data Recovery is the most effective solution for all your partition loss situations. The software recovers all FAT32, VFAT, NTFS and NTFS5 file system partitions. It is usable with Microsoft Windows 7, Vista, 2003, XP and 2000.