Thanks, Celestra and Kemical. After the first failure to install, I was able to get back into VISTA. Initially, start-up and shutdown were very slow, but that improved after a few restarts. Windows Advisor keeps pointing to 2 incompatible programs (Google and Logitech Messenger Webcam), which I have uninstalled. Even after doing so, Advisor still suggests removing them. Next, I removed any lingering registry files for each program, but I haven't tried re-installing just yet. I thought that booting from the DVD was only if you intended to wipe your hard drive? I've been putting the disk in and clicking the setup manually. I'm trying to Upgrade so that my present settings, etc. will be restored during the install.
I should note here that I tried to install again after the first failure and at first I got a pop-up that said that a file that needed to be written was already present and could not be deleted, so the install stopped a second time. I found the file, but decided NOT to delete it manually. I tried a third time and the message did not reappear. This time I sat right in front of my computer to watch everything that was happening. As you know, there are 5 steps in the install. It cleared the first 2 and was working on the third. A text message started to blink that said that my computer needed to reboot. This went on for several minutes, then suddenly the computer began to reboot, as I expected it was going to do. What I didn't expect was that as soon as it rebooted, it attempted a boot from the DVD. The screen resolution changed and everything got bigger. The installation window reappeared, but instead of resuming where it left off, the window returned to the original install window. Just then a pop-up window said something to the effect that I had left a disk in the drive during reboot. . .remove the disk and reboot again. It sounded good, however, there isn't anyway you can manually reboot during the install. Still, I removed the DVD and waited. . .and waited. Nothing happened. The cursor was frozen and obviously the install had once again stopped. I had to use the power button again to shut down and then to start up. When the computer came back on, a message said that the installation had failed (one more time) and the system was going to roll back to VISTA, which it then did. Once VISTA came back online, I did more research online and figured that those two programs were possibly a big reason for the failure to install. That was when I applied some more aggressive means to remove all traces of them from my computer. Google was a tough one to find, since Google and Picassa, which I had installed, are one and the same. Google is also tagged to RealTime Player and so I dumped that as well. I'm not 100% sure that I got everything, but I am likely a step closer. If it didn't take so long for Win7 to install, I would try it again now, but after working all day (at a computer), I can't deal with spending another evening doing this again. That's why I will probably wait until the weekend to try again. I've upgraded all of my drivers, saved by bookmark files and browser settings and done two separate back-ups to external drives among other things. I'm not too concerned about program loss, if there are any, since the installation files for everything on my computer are on back-up drives. It would be a big pain to have to reinstall everything, but I guess I could if I needed to. I know that a clean install is preferable to merely upgrading, but I guess Im trying to take the easy way. Did I say "easy"?? Obviously, it hasn't been easy so far. LOL!!
In my occupation, which includes Graphics, Typography, Layout, Design and Prepress, I've worked on Windows PC's for about 25 years and MAC's for close to 15 years. I've learned a few things about what's in the box here and there along the way, but I would only consider myself to be an amateur when it comes to the serious Tech stuff. I'm knowledgeable enough to be somewhat of an IT person where I work, but that's mainly because I follow good information sources and because I am fairly comfortable around computers. The Internet is also be a great source for info and assistance. Sooner of later, I know that, with some help, I will resolve this latest challenge. It has been somewhat annoying, but I do love a challenge and I always welcome input from others. Thanks again for your suggestions.