Clean Vista install WITH NO ACTIVATION

yea right, all anyone needs to do is go back in the thread and read your pm's to me that I posted- or have you forgotten Everyone else sure got a kick out of reading them.....

ann

 

I can't find thread 'OEM Re-Installation Disc'

 

It's not another thread, it's part of the guide on the first page of this thread.

 

Thanks to everyone that contributed to this guide and especially Orev for putting it together. Did a clean Vista install on my dv9548 last night and everything went 110% smooth.

 

Has anyone succesfully installed from a burnt copy of a Vista disc before?

NO licence piracy intended. Mostly to create a backup disc and lend to a friend so he may do a clean install using his licence

 

you can download the files from the digitalife links in orev's walkthrough and create your own Vista Disc..

 

yes

no problem

just be sure of the source for your disk, some sites offering vista downloads are not bootable, so best stick w/ a legit source to ensure quaility of the download/files

 

Cheers,

I actually already have a real copy of the WAU, its my friend that needs it. I just need to know that it will install sucessfully if he uses a burnt copy.

 

Yes.
......

 

I just wanted to give my $0.02 here...

I have a Toshiba Satellite A215-S5808 and this clean install trick worked like a charm. I was able to have Vista without the ridiculous amounts of bloatware. I truly appreciate the work you (and others) have put into this.

Too bad Vista wasn't stable without Toshiba's..."enhancements".

I downgraded to XP after the clean install constantly went wonky on me. Finally the laptop (which I'm posting from right now) works as it should. It flies, it's stable, it's 100% reliable. The only two things I'm missing are Media Center (which isn't all it's trumped up to be....) and the ability to use my TV Tuner Card's remote. (Wireless keyboard and mouse provide the same functionality, so I see it as no big loss.)

Still...for the brief moment that it did work with Vista's clean install...it was nice seeing what Vista looked like without crap to add to it.

Thanks again!

 

I have a question for Orev or whoever can help me out. On the digital life website it says " Copy install.wim, boot.wim and X13-49121.exe to system root drive (i.e. C:\ folder)."
Does that mean I have to already have Vista installed? Or can I make this disk on my desktop with Windows XP? I've ordered the WAU from Microsoft earlier this week but who knows when I'll get that. I'm also having trouble getting Recovery Discs from HP (long story). So I'd like to be able to download the files I need on my desktop with Win XP and create a Vista disc on it since I can't use my laptop at this time.

 

No. That is just an example where they are using C:\ as a temporary working folder. You can use and folder for that, and you don't need Vista installed first.

 

Oh SWEETNESS! I'm going to have to download these tonight and see if I can't get this to work. I did not burn Recovery Discs when I got my laptop but I did run the ABR and have it saved on my thumbdrive. I should be able to create a Vista Ultimate disc and follow your instructions and use restore using the ABR, is that correct? And if all goes well I can download the necessary drivers from HP.

What would be the best way to install the drivers? Chipset drivers, then video drivers, then all the other stuff? That seems the best way. Do you recommend any other way?

 

The Vista disc is a "Vista Disc", there is no "Ultimate" disc. You can only install Ultimate if that is what you had previously purchased (and subsequently saved using ABR).

That order seems good for the driver install. It doesn't really matter that much, as long as you get them all installed.

 

Okay everything worked great but I have an unknown device and I can't figure it out.
Anyone know what this is?

 

Could it be the Quicklaunch buttons? Did you install the drivers for them?

 

I don't think it's that as I have installed Quick Play and Quick Launch so it's got to be something else.
Everything seems to be running fine, I just have the one unknown device.

 

I might be incorrect on this one, because I don't know your hardware specs, but you might be missing the Winbond CIR driver. (Consumer IR, remote control)

I know when I downgraded to XP, it was the one driver I was missing. Once I found it on Toshiba's website (a lot of laptops use the CIR on Media Center based lappies.) all of my trouble/problem devices disappeared.

EDIT: One more thing. Right click on the problem device, click install and when it asks, tell it to connect to the internet to help find drivers for you. You'd be surprised how well it works in Vista. Not so much in XP.

 

I'm going to be using this guide when I recieve my dv2700 but I have one question that is sort of related. Which driver at laptopvideo2go is the latest that will work with my future 8400M GS 128mb?

There are so many series of drivers I am totally confused as to which driver I need once i've done a clean install.

Thanks

 

Hmm, I don't have one of those devices, just HPQ0006 which is quicklaunch. I would take a look at the drivers download page for your laptop model on HP's web site. What model of laptop do you have?

 

You sir are a genius and my hero. I let Vista search for the driver and it found it. It did have to do with the HP Remote Control HID Device. Thanks a whole bunch!

 

i have two laptops:

1. HP dv2612 which came with vista home premium installed.
2. Acer 3050 which came with vista homa basic installed

i would like to swap the versions of vista with these computers (so that the acer can have home premium and the hp vista basic)

please dont ask why, as it is a long story and many a thread about it already...

since i own both licences, there is nothing illegal im doing here.

is this possible? (i have the upgrade anytime disk)

or are the product keys somehow tied into the manufacturers hardware and that they will know the key is from another OEM?

 

It is not legal, because the OEM license agreement you have on both of the systems says you cannot move the installation to another system. Also, the activation for each version is locked to the hardware/bios, so it will not work.

 

I'm not that good. lol

And no problem, my Satellite was having the same problem. It's a quirky little device.
Glad it worked out for you, though. Finding this site was a miracle.

 

Ok so I want to do a fresh install when I recieve my dv2700, I will be using ABR, burning my recovery discs and SWSetup folder before I clean install.

My question is: During the clean install after deleting both partitions and selecting the new partition (with all the hard drive space) do you need to format this new partition or is it already wiped clean by deleting the two original partitions that came with the system?

 

It's been my experience that when you use Windows to erase a hard drive, that echoes of the past remain. It's like erasing and re-writing a CD-RW, physically the information's still there, but covered by the next set of writes.

While a full format works well with a CD-RW and supposedly gets all of the information off of the disc for the next burn... (which I'm still not sure of.)

I haven't trusted Windows to format my HD in a decade. I use Wipe Drive. (My cousin said it would be a great gift, and he wasn't lying.)

It completely erases all hard drive data, including the partitions and makes it so the disk feels very much like a fresh, brand new hard drive. When you install Windows, it'll ask you to format the disk, but it's not like Wipe Drive's formatting ability. After that's all done, Windows will ask you if you want to create a partition and you can set up the hard drive and your Windows exactly as you wish.

Good luck, I hope that was worth something.

 

Well, that was helpful but my question still remains.

After deleting both partitions that come with the system, and creating one new partition with all the disk space, do you have to format the new partition or has all the data been removed by deleting the original partitions?

 

Oh wow. I'm sorry, I completely passed over that point.

Yes, when partitions are deleted, the information contained within will be removed as well.

And yes, both new partitions (without information) have to be formatted so Windows can use them. Think of it as formatting a floppy for 1st. time use.

Same principle applies to a hard drive, not only are you wiping out old information, you're also structuring the hard drive so the new set of Windows can install. Think of it as erecting a foundation (the formatting) before building the structure (Windows).

 

Awesome, Thanks. I would rep you but i've given out too much in the last 24 hours apparently! I'll wait until tomorrow

 

No big deal, seriously.

People have helped me when I was pulling my hair out, so it's only fair to return the favor. Believe me, I've been through the wringer with PCs. As much as I love them, I hate them. lol

 

When you delete the original partitions, then create the new one for windows to install on, it will format that drive as part of the install process, so there is no need to use a separate utility to format the drive.

For the purposes of installation, there is absolutely no need to use a disk wiping utility beforehand. It is true that data will be left behind of the disk after just a format, but it is effectively invisible to the new filesystem. I even have a guide in my sig about wiping free space, but again it is not needed at all for installation purposes. The only time you need to wipe a drive is if you will be selling it to someone else, or maybe once in a while if you are paranoid.

 

Great. I thought it did the format during the install process because i've done a vista re-install on a dell laptop before, where I just deleted the two partitions and installed windows on the new one, and it didn't ask me to format the new partition or even say it needed to be.

Where I was getting confused was with thinking that the actual 'format' was what wiped the data, but it's really deleting the partitions that deletes the data and the format is just what windows needs to do to be able to use a new partition.

 

The Clean Install worked for me, I just have some questions which I still haven't found anywhere searching in this gigantic thread.

1. Expresscard - Neither the Quickplay/DVD or the Windows Media Center button work; the rest do work, however.

2. Touch sensitive controls - All the buttons work and the mute turns amber, but no one elaborated on the BIOS procedure that turns the clicking noise for volume on.. also, I can't remember pre-cleaning, but does the actual button called 'quickplay' in text adjacent to the turning arrow and power button actually light up?

3. For the Apple-like display of the volume level on screen, what should I do?

4. My sound card works fine except when trying to play songs in WMP with SRS WOW effects on, the audio becomes very choppy. Reinstall the Realtek driver?

 

You missed two other options. Sending it in for repairs in places like Best Buy (notorious for stealing information) and....OCD.

I'm obsessive compulsive and it always nags me if I don't wipe it beforehand so it's a 110% (in my mind) clean install. It's the little things about computing that bug the crap out of me.

I realize I don't have to do all of that just to format and reinstall Windows, but I'm quirky like that. Imagine being in my head. Over and over and over...that's all my mind does. lol

 

1: try installing either the quicklaunch buttons (QLB folder), or if you don't have that, try the quicktouch software

2: directly related to #1

3: quicktouch provides this type of display

4: reinstall is a good thing to try, otherwise, hard to say

 

okay, this is probably answered already,
but there is 53 pages or reading, and im sure any human being would never go through 53 pages to find what they are looking for,

i have a HP Verve dv2500se, and it came with a Home Premium,
i plan on buying Vista Ultimate and install it on my dv2500se for a fresh copy of Ulitmate instead of Home Premium, will it work?

u said on the 1st page that,
"You can only install the SAME VERSION of Vista you already bought. If you're laptop came with Home Premium, you can NOT install Ultimate."

 

thats only if you use the same licence thats came with the laptop. If its a whole different vista licence then yes it will work no problem.

I suggest upgrading your home premium to ultimate through the Windows Anytime Upgrade website instead of buying a new copy of ultimate. It will be cheaper this way

 

yeah, i know what u mean,
but my sister was doing something with my laptop, and downloaded something
and now my verve has a spyworm.win32, in other words its a trojan, according to my AVG and etc.

and since my laptop came with a home premium, and HP didn't give me any cds and etc, and i was dumb enough to not burn my own recovery discs,

im planning to reformat my Verve with a brand new vista, so yeah..

 

Upgrade your premium licence to ultimate now through the website, then you just need a Windows Vista Anytime Upgrade disc which costs like $5 to do a clean install of vista while using the same licence

 

bought a 6910p for my son in college. doesnt run photoshop or anything like that. Just office, itunes, utube video, dvds, im, etc. it as 2 gigs 2 x1.

need to make a choice when setting up to go with one or the other. It appears to have discs for both. They say its a one time choice.

It seems like 32 bit is the most compatible as you can choose to install unsigned or unceritified drivers. I understand there is a workaround but easier is probably better. Does it make any difference?

If I install 32 bit can I switch to 64 later using the enclosed discs and the clean install and the activation without calling microsoft?

ps I did a seperate post on this I hope its ok but I wanted to put it here since it seems like this gets a lot of looks.

Jack S

 

Right now, 64 bit is really only beneficial if you have 4GB RAM. With less than that, it is still nice, but the potential compatibility issues may be the issue. What external devices will it be connected to? You'll have to check 64bit driver availability for things like printers, etc... though many will work.

You will most likely be able to switch to 64bit using the clean install method mentioned here, so you're not totally locked in.

PS. Welcome to the forum but don't multi-post. Enough people read all the threads that you don't need to post unrelated questions to popular threads just to get visibility (though this question is somewhat related here). It's a question of etiquette.

 

thank you and yes no more multi posts. It looks like I'll go with the 32 bit.

the hp 6910p looks like a great notebook. I got it versus the 2700t because he may go to school overseas for an extended period and the business machines warranties are better for this.

I have a dell lattitude d620 and I must say I like the looks and weight of the hp better. Now I could keep it for myself but my wife would be upset. kids first is her policy.


thanks again

Jack

 

Guys,

Interesting story about Windows Anytime Upgrades sell ends, changes, prices.

No wonder why Compusa now stop selling Anytime Upgrades anymore but direct to Microsoft market center cost about 7.00 bucks.

http://www.neowin.net/news/main/08/02/11/windows-anytime-upgrade-digital-distribution-to-end

http://www.infoworld.com/article/08...d-digital-downloads-for-Vista-upgrades_1.html

Lucky I have 4 Anytimes Upgrades disc for both 32 and 64 bit each from compusa in few months ago, it only 5 bucks each.

Dg

 

Thats a shame. Im guessing the 64bit architecture upgrade is still available since its serparate from WAU

I tried going on the microsoft website to order a 64-bit vista disc, it keeps giving me errors or my serial is invalid. Anyone else getting this?

 

I don't see any place on that site where you put in your serial. Are you using this link? http://www.windowsanytimeupgrade.com/disc

 

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/2057/ordermedia/default.mspx

You just need to enter in your serial key and pay the delivery fee by credit card

You can do it through here aswell

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/editions/64bit.mspx

 

Use the Anytime Upgrade disc at the link I posted above; make sure to change it to the 64bit version. The discs are identical, and you don't need to validate anything to the the anytime upgrade one.

 

Says its not available for my country. Ill have a go again tonight with the 64bit vista webpage i have.

Ive already started downloading the 64bit drivers

 

Why don't you try the digital river links?

 

Well I dont know why I did it the general consnsus seemed to be vista 32 but I chose vista 64 bit instead. we will see what happens. I really dont know why I did it. Anyway I do have the 32 bit disc, 64 bit disc and even an xppro disc. Hp says I can switch to any of the others. so If my son doesnt like vista then I'll go to xppro. or if vista is ok but he has driver issues then will go to vista 32.

I think the only vista issues might be older printers. especially hp printers. I went to the epson site and it seams as if they have vista drivers for most of their older printers. I also have a hp laserjet 3015 which I understand hp only has print drivers for no scan drivers.

I do like the people so far I have spoken with at hp of course I havnt had any problems yet.

how do you think 64 bit will do with 2 gigs of ram?