Clean Install With Vista Upgrade DVD

There was no Vista Upgrade DVD with my dv9500t. Where do i get a Vista Upgrade DVD? and there is no OEMCert folder in the dv9500t. I'm just not finding any trace of it. What can we do guys? If you can do it, please tell us all know how.

 

You can order one for free, plus shipping, from Microsoft...it's called the Vista Anytime Upgrade disc.

Make sure you change the view settings in windows explorer, click Organize, Folder and Search Options, View tab, Hidden Files and Folders change to show them, click Apply to Folders button, OK to save the setting for all folders.

Try looking for the OEMCert folder again.

If it's not there, it's possible HP has changed the way they activate Vista to prevent users from doing clean installs.

 

I have Vista Ultimate 64 bit. Will the Vista Anytime Upgrade disc give me Vista Ultimate 64 bit?

Update to my question. Yes it will, i ordered the 64 bit Vista Anytime Upgrade disc from microsoft for $7.00.
The disc is free and $7.00 for shipping and handling.

 

I did what you said and still can't find it. The folder C:\Windows\OEMCert and the file "oem-cert.xrm-ms", and "oem-install.vbs" is not on my dv9500t.

 

They might have changed it...HP does browse these forums and might have found out we knew about their process. They might have changed it.

Run a system wide search for 'oem-cert.xrm-ms' and see if that finds it. Make sure you allow the search to check the hidden and system folders as well.

 

I did this and still not there, hp must of changed it.

 

Two questions...

Where did you find the Anytime Upgrade DVD on the Microsoft site? I can't seem to find it anywhere.

Is the OEM-cert completely necessary to do a clean install? What a bummer if it is! I don't want all that junk on my lappy.

 

I can answer one of your questions. Anytime Upgrade DVD
Under Additional options for this product:
Click the link Upgrade your edition of Windows Vista to Ultimate with Windows Anytime Upgrade
First, select the edition of Windows Vista™ that you would like to upgrade from.
Do not pick Vista Ultimate, you can't upgrade Ultimate(I have Ultimate,but i selected Windows Vista Permium)
add it to your Shopping Basket with a Windows Anytime Upgrade disc
Then remove the Windows Vista Home Premium to Windows Vista Ultimate and just buy a Windows Anytime Upgrade disc.

 

Can we just get these files from someone that has them(Maybe a dvx000)? Or are there all different from one to the next?

 

Amazon

Not Sure if this is right but it looks like it is 4.99 w/ no shipping or tax at amazon!

 

Yes, thats the 32 bit one.

 

I got a PM about this so I'll put the reply here:

I honestly do not know if just copying those activation files will help you guys out. Personally, I don't think it would work because if you cannot find the files on the drive, than HP has already changed their activation method...thus rendering the previous method useless for you. It is possible they are using Microsoft's new BIOS-based activation, which looks for a specific flag in the BIOS code that says this is an OEM computer, and the OEM copy of Vista would automatically update to activated.

Worst case senario, get a copy of the Vista Anytime Update DVD and just install Vista from there. You will probably have to activate it, but use the key on the bottom of the laptop to avoid issues. Even if your Vista install uses that OEM-VLK (Volume License Key), use the personal key you were given...HP realizes that you might need that key, so try using it.

Of course, make the Recovery DVDs and back up your data before doing any of this...just in case. And don't forget to download all your drivers and put them on a USB stick or something, so you can set it up without the need for the internet.

 

Even if this clean install method no longer works, uninstalling the bloatware is easy. HP doesn't give you too much bloatware compared to other companies.

 

Can someone make a list of the bloatware that we can uninstall.

 

http://windowsanytimeupgrade.com

No. As others have stated, the license key on the bottom of your laptop is valid for doing a clean install of Vista. That's your license to use Vista, while the digital license is used to pre-activate Vista automatically.

Note that you WILL have to call Microsoft's activation center to get an activation code, but it's easy and fairly quick, about 5 minutes. They will ask how many computers you have it installed on, and you must have it on ONLY ONE computer.

I've done both methods and they work fine.

 

Even if you decide to uninstall it, some of the bloatware files always get left behind.

I prefer to do a clean install and keep the junk to a minimum. A clean install is quite easy and much faster than doing an HP restore.

 

The digital license is the one found with the magic jelly-bean thing correct? Can you just plug that in while you're installing so you don't have to deal with Microsoft on the phone (bad experiences for me in the past i.e long waits + disconnections).

 

Unless you have those 'secret' files (that I don't know where they are) for BIOS activation...you'd have to activate anyway with the VLK. Just use the key on the bottom of your notebook to minimize the hassle.

 

You'll need to use the key on your laptop, NOT the magic jellybean one. And you WILL need to call MS to activate. My guide is the only method you can use to avoid calling MS, but because the newer dvx500 laptops don't have some of the files on them, you can't do it.

I'm working on this and should have something soon.

 

I got a stupid question to ask ...

This Windows Anytime Upgrade CD - it's different from the "Recovery Disc", correct?

I told HP I wanted to upgrade from 32-bit Vista to 64-bit, and they sent me the "Recovery Disc Home Premium (64it)" CD, product # 444398-001

I guess it's not the same thing? And I assume while the CD will let me upgrade from 32-bit version to 64-bit version it won't actually let me install a 'clean' version?

 

Unfortunately, yes, the Recovery Discs and the Anytime Upgrade Disc are 2 different things. The recovery disc only allows you to reinstall the system with all of the other software that goes along with it.

 

I've updated my guide. It should now work with the dvx500 series laptops.