Here's what resolved the issue for me:
-- Remove all Symantec-Norton software. Symantec has a tool that you can
download and run.
-- Do a System Restore (a so-called non-destructive restore)
-- Run HP Upgrade Assistant
-- Run Vista Upgrade installation (IT RAN COMPLETELY, FINALLY!)
-- IMPORTANT: RERUN HP Ugrade Assistant (It installs HP-specific
drivers--IMPORTANT!)
In any case, chances are that some of your installed applications might have
become uninstalled or require re-installation.
If you don't have HP computer, your manufacturer should have something
similar to what HP has. If not, I would question that manufacturer unless
everything is absolutely impeccable with that brand.
That all said and done, I'm questioning the usability of some changes in
Vista. One expects changes, but some dialogs seem very cluttered and less
user-friendly, for example.