Clean Vista install WITH NO ACTIVATION

They are in the SWsetup folder that you saved before installing, or you can download them, just like all the other drivers, from HP's web site.

 

Okay i just did the 64bit install using digitalriver and it was a complete SUCCESS

If your getting install.wim error. Its either your not completely downloading the files or you are doin something wrong. I never checked if the md5's were the same but it worked anyway

 

Just in case I didn't mention I downloaded the 32 bit version. Sorry for the confusion!

 

it worked for me:wink: . i backed up my activation, downloaded vista 64bit burned it using vlight, it was all a snap. now iv got a legal activated vista64 for free.
thanks orve

 

Just a quick question. How good is 64 bit? Curious as so many guys are shifting to 64 bit!

 

According to benchmarks from a couple of websites i read, it was about 10% overall faster.

Theres no point switching to 64bit unless you have 4gb ram. Theres abit of driver compatibility problems with 64bit.

 

Thanks a lot flipfire for the clarification.

 

i received a stop error when trying to boot windows, lost my recovery cd, and hp said i need to buy a recovery cd from them. I downloaded and created a anytime cd, but when it loads from cd, it still gives me the same error.

what do i do?

 

Downloading it directly from the HP site yields the same result, and the site specifically states it is the version for 64bit.

 

It's a very good system and allows for full utilization of dual/quad processors and the the ability to read and use over 3+ gb of ram makes it a real plus w/ so many mobo supporting 4gb and up........

i've been running it on diff pc's for well over a year and their and I've run into very few incompatible programs and device drivers.

 

Could you please elaborate on the error if possible?

 

i get a STOP: 0x0000C1F5 (0x00000000,0x00000000,0x00000000,0x00000000)

I've tried loading from safe mode, gets to crcdisk.sys and then goes to that error. When booting from the windows update cd on this site, it says loading windows files, then goes to the vista loading screen (the one with the black background and the green status bar), it does manage to show the cursor though for just a second, and then gives me the same stop message.

 

Have you created the Disk or using an original one. The obvious reason is not your OS though. It has something to do with the HD most probably!

 

I created the disk from the links in the first post

 

Is it 32 bit?

 

yes it is a 32bit

 

Take a look at this page: http://infopirate.org/what-does-stop-0x0000c1f5-mean

 

does that mean i have to wipe my drive? if so would the anytime update disk work afterwards along with key that came with laptop?

 

Hi orev, thanks for the thread. I learned a lot from your advise. I have ran into a problem though. I own a dv9730nr. I followed your advise from downloading vista 64-bit from market place. After downloading the install.wim, boot.wim and x13-49121.exe I get an error while installing that windows verison. I open X13-49121 to install it and gives me this error.

"Cannot extract Windows Vista Setup to your hard drive. Please ensure that you can create files and folders in the same folder where VistaSetupPrep.exe was downloaded."

I have download each file twice and both times I received the same error; which only occurs at the very end of the install. I have Vista 32 and was under the impress my license can go 64-bit as long as I stay with home premium. I compared the version size with what you wrote and they are a few megs smaller than you state. Any suggestions? Thanks

I just tried it on another laptop and received the same error.

 

Your probably not following the directions properly. I successfully did what your trying to do. You must have placed it in wrong folders

Ensure the filesizes are 100% correct. See page 1 for the correct sizes, right click and go properties. They have to be correct down to the last byte

 

Ok I double check, the files are the same size as specified. To the best of my knowledge I'm follow the directions to a "t".

 

Could you please elaborate on the procedure that you are following?

 

how did you create the disk?

 

I have downloaded the three files and they are the same size orev mentioned. Then I went the 64 bit page http://www.mydigitallife.info/2007/1...ownload-links/ and opened x13-49121 to unpack vista's installtion files. At the end of that process at 99% I get the error. Haven't even attempted to burn a disc. Thanks for the help.

 

i followed this guide and it worked successfully. Are you sure you have full admin rights? Like no restrictions on creating files and folders?

I actually downloaded and created the discs while i was at work with XP

 

I believe I do have full admin rights. My account is the only one on this computer. And at the user profiles it is the admin account. I also ran the exe as admin and still get the same results.

 

The most obvious reason seems to be files that haven't been completely downloaded!

 

Ya, I have downloaded the files 3 times. So I have no idea if I have a bad spot in my network. My laptop is usually wireless but the last 2 downloads I plugged it in to my router and make sure I had a solid connection.

 

Ok I used x13-49120 from the 32-bit version and it finish the installation. Are these two interchangeable?

 

No they are not. There is a difference of over 1 GB between the two files!

 

What happens if you reformat using a Retail Disc, but use the serial on the bottom of the computer...Does the serial that was on there before go to waste?

 

you are just using "your" key for the first time

you loose the bulk oem key that vista was installed with. If you use the abr tool, you can save the key and cerificate, restore w/ abr and never have to activate or use your key.

 

can I install vista home premium using the anytime disk on a blank hard disk (recently wiped), using the key on the bottom of the laptop. The key is for the home premium os

 

Yes that will work but you will have to activate it with microsoft though since you werent able to backup your activation with ABR

 

Ok, I have a Dell XPS M1710 system, and it has the 32-bit version of Vista Ultimate on it. I want to install the 64 bit version.....but Im sorta lost.

So the disc I got from Dell for my Vista says right on it that its Windows Vista Ultimate 32BIT. Does it have the 64 Bit version on it?? Or is that on a seperate disc??

Second, everyone mentions they get a 64 bit disc from M$ for $10, I have yet to see where this is, as they no longer have their Upgrade Anytime anymore.

So where would I get this $10 64 bit version?? Is it a full version, in which I use my Product key from my 32bit one??

Im so lost, but I really dont feel like spending $500 on a retail version of Vista when I already own it.

Help.......lost.....

 

Dell has thier disks special made, it only contains the 32bit version(if it's the "dell reinstallation disk")

the $10 is the anytime upgrade disk- it contains all vesrions of the 32bit or 64 bit version, whichever you purchase

if you have the 64bit disk, you could always use orev's abr utilty from this thread for a clean install--> retrieve your key and vista certificate from the laptop, do a clean install w/ the 64bit disk, use the abr tool to reinstall the key and certificate, all without having to activate again.

This is legal as going to 64bit from 32bit is a lateral, not an upgrade. Your key on the bottom laptop is diff from what's installed- it's the bulk oem key used to install on all their machines, so you be able to do the clean install without having to ever use the key on the bottom of the laptop.

 

No 32bit disc is different from 64bit. Different architectures contain different OS files, 64bit is bigger. Although they still both contain the same versions (basic,ultimate,premium)

They have stopped selling the windows anytime upgrade discs. You can download the 64bit disc for free from digitalriver, which is outlined in Page 1 of this thread.

Your 32bit key can be used on 64bit of the same version your purchased

 

So, I download the 64 bit disc from Digital River, then put it into my drive and do a clean install of the disc?? Is that what is on the disc that I would download from Digital River??

I can use the same 32bit key that is currently on my system now??

Then if that is all I do, then why do you have to do all the stuff mentioned in this thread???

 

You download the 3 files from digitalriver and these files will make an .iso image which you burn into a dvd which makes THE "vista 64bit dvd" you need.

Yes you can use the same key for 64bit

All answers are in page 1. Read more, ask less.

 

I did read it, but I dont know most of the issues. Im new to this stuff. So I still dont understand for all the mumbo-jumbo mentioned, when thats all you need to do.

So I download those 3 files, I have no idea what an ISO image is, and then burn it to a DVD. Do you know the size of the file, roughly??

And finally the product key I use is the same as the one Im using right now, the OEM one, when I look at my Welcome Center???? But its not the one at the bottom of my laptop though??!! Im confused.....

Anything else I should know before I take the plunge??

BTW, I do appreciate the help

 

Its roughly 3-4gb big for 64bit, 32bit is abit less. An .iso is an image file. its pretty much an exact copy of a dvd put into a file format which alot of burning programs(like Nero) can burn into a real Disc

There is a tool on the first page called ABR (activation backup & restore). This will backup your current licence/activation so you will never have to deal with serial/product keys ever again.

 

The license key that you need for installation is NOT the "product key" that you see in the control panel. Those numbers will always be different, and only god knows why MS made that difference.

The license key is on the sticker on the bottom of your laptop, but that's not the one that was used when they installed Windows at the factory. They give you the one on the bottom sticker in case you ever want to re-install. BUT, using the ABR tool will allow you to avoid using the number on the bottom, which also allows you to avoid having to call them up to activate.

The guide walks you through most of the issues, which is why it was written. However, obtaining the Vista install disc remains as the most difficult part of the process, and it definitely is a pain. For some of that terminology, like "ISO image", a quick google should give you the information you need to make sense of it.

 

Okay, I think I might have a problem, or I suffer from poor reading comprehension. I've downloaded the files into the same directory. Ran the .exe and it extracted a Vista folder without complaints. However, when I look for Vista\Boot\etfsboot.com I completely fail to find it. Is this a case where the extraction process doesn't show errors even when they exist or am I looking in the wrong place or am I missing a third option?

Thanks for your help.

 

I think you are probably installing 64-bit? In that case, you will need to get the etfsboot.com file from the 32-bit installation. It's also available from the mydigitallife page that has the 64-bit download links. Don't know why it's not part of the 64-bit download files.

 

Yeah its weird, it confused me before aswell as it wasnt written about it on the main guide.

You have to download it here seperately and put it into the boot sector when you burn the 64bit disc.

 

is there a way to get the licence key using linux? I can boot into knoppix live cd. also, what reason can i give microsoft to activate my product key on the bottom of my laptop?

 

if you have to use your key off the laptop to activate, just tell them you are re-installing the OS. They will ask you how many pc's you have it installed on- tell them one, yada yada yada- very simple!!

 

well i'm off to wipe my hard drive, hp were supposed to send a recovery cd out to me on monday, just rang and they say they are out of stock.

 

The key is in the registry, so you'd have to find the registry file, then find the correct spot in the binary file to get it. I'm sure it's possible, but you'd have to figure that out for yourself.

 

Do any of you know of a Realtek HD Audio driver that enables you to use Microphone Output on a DV6500T? I've been searching one for days...