Clean Vista install WITH NO ACTIVATION

Interesting... that would certainly explain it. You don't happen to still have the original file, do you? I would love to be able to debug using it.

You need the QuickLaunch software, as well as the Quicklaunch Button drivers. They are two separate installs.

 

Sorry but no, I didn't save the original file.

 

Just to be clear, I believe I read that the Windows Anytime Upgrade has ALL O/S versions on the disk (i.e., 32-bit vs 64-bit vs business vs home premium, etc) and the install package is controlled by the Vista serial number; is this true?

I only ask, as I went ahead and bought one off eBay for $.99, but the cover it says, "includes 32'bit version," so thought I would ask before I blow the laptop out and format it, only to have to put the recovery crap back on there. The 32-bit reference scares me.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=160235455293&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=006

 

Each Vista disk does contain all versions, in terms of Home Premium, Business, Ultimate, however it is for either 32-bit or 64-bit, not both. Looks like you picked up the 32-bit disk.

 

Doh. I'll have to relist it, then...only bought it because of the $.99 and hoped it had both (though I did wonder why, if this were the case, would it specifically call out the 32-bit version...hoped a marketing thing).

Many thanks.

 

The main guide has a link to another forum thread here with information on downloading both the 32-bit and 64-bit versions.

 

The Clean Vista install worked like a charm with no more bloatware and only what I need on it. Basically put Avira and Adobe CS3, made some tweaks and set it up as needed and then backed up an image with Acronis TI11 (and then made changes and restored using the image just to make sure it was working).

Everything works except some of the quicklaunch buttons. The bass/treble, volume, mute, and wireless work fine. The quickplay, dvd, tv, rewind-stop-play-fastforward and the eject button do not work. I have installed and reinstalled both the QuickPlay ver 3.63A and the QuickTouch software ver 1.00C, both downloaded from the HP website for my HDX model. I can live without QuickPlay (it works in when launched from the folder just not from the button) but I would really like the eject button to work.

I have also shutdown and removed power cable and battery for a few minutes and then powered back on and same result. Any suggestions?

 

It could be a missing remote control driver (ITE 8305 CIR), or the Quick Launch Buttons driver. I'm not sure if your system needs the QLB driver though. I would take a look at the driver download page for your model on the HP web site and see if there's anything there you may not have installed.

 

Yes I have the ITE 8305CIR driver 5.0.4.2. revA on the system. I didnt reinstall only a couple of things like the fingerprint reader and the youcam software. I also did not install the security update for the Quicklaunch buttons since I read in the forums (and HP confirmed this on the phone with tech support) that it disables some of the buttons.

Are there separate or different QLB drivers? Might this be just S@#* out of luck?

 

I just went through the guide and it worked great.

One problem I have right now on my dv9858ca is the BD-ROM drive (Blue Ray Drive). Under Computer, it lists drive E as a DVD RW Drive. What do I need to install to have it be listed as a BD-ROM drive again?

Thanks

 

I used Orev's backup utility to restore my Vista Ultimate license when previously doing a clean install on my Lenovo T61 laptop. It worked great. Now that SP1 has come out, I am making a new clean install using an install DVD with SP1 integrated. When I tried to restore my activated license, it proceeded as it should, removing a bunch of keys, then installing the backed up key. But when I check the activation status afterwards, Windows is still not activated. Does Orev's ABR not work on systems that already have SP1 installed?

 

1) Don't double post.

2) ABR does work on SP1 systems, but there have been more reports of problems recently. I suspect that something has changed and I may need to update ABR. A great debugging tool would be if you could send me the xrm-ms file. That file is locked you your hardware, so there's nothing I can use it for other than debugging.

 

I just used Orev's ABR for a fresh install on a Sony Vaio. I installed Vista, then used ABR, then installed SP1 from file not through Windows Update Service.

It all worked great. Vista is activated.

Thanks Orev once again.

 

Thanks very much. The driver in swsetup did not work. This saved the process for me. hp dv2700 btw.

PS is there a better way to search the forum? I was trying to search this thread only but did not see the possibility in the forums.

 

Hey guys Has any of you tried using your remote control after doing the clean install? I did mine like a month ago and tried recently to use my remote control with QuicPlay and it doesn't work.

I installed the latest Quicplay update, QuickLaunch buttons and QuickTouch button, my volume buttor works great when I press on it it displays the volume graph on my screen, the webcam also works great, QuickPlay also works...I don't have a clue on what todo... Please???

 

Is there a way to use Windows Recovery and not have everything on the drive deleted?

A friend had Vista pre-installed and is having a lot of problems. She wants to reinstall the OS without losing data.
Possible?

The only CD that came with her DV6000 series was the anytime upgrade CD.

Sorry if there is a thread elsewhere about this, I used search and didn't see what I was looking for.

 

Not sure what you mean by "Windows Recovery".

You can do a reinstall without deleting everything, but it's risky. If you do the wrong thing in the setup, it will delete everything. Also, when it's done you will have a system that has a lot of other programs on the hard drive, but they might not work and need to be reinstalled. Doing an install this way really makes a mess on the system.

Really, the much MUCH better way is to backup the data externally, then do a clean install. It's the only way to make sure the system is clean and that your data is safe.

You can use the Anytime Upgrade DVD to do the install. Follow the guide here which walks you through everything.

 

That's out of the question my friend. When you reinstall windows all registry information and Windows instalation folder data is deleted (this is true if you run a repair of the os, or an upgrade). If you format the drive or install without formatting the installation will rewrite everything in Windows folder, Document and Settings (Win XP) or Users (Win vista) and there is where all your data may be saved.

You can try and save therr user's folder somewhere (a partition of the drive, DVD or external disk) and restore de folders after the reinstallation has finished. But you will have to reinstall all drivers, applications, etc., right from scratch in any cases.

 

Thanks for the information guys, very helpful.

 

This post is to announce the release of ABR version 1.0!

This release contains the following updates and improvements:

• Bug fix: Some people were reporting that even though the instructions were followed to the letter, restore simply would not work. This was happening a lot more recently, and with some of your great help in debugging, I was able to pinpoint the problem and resolve it. If you still have the backup files, restore should now work correctly if it did not work for you before.
  
• "silent" option: For those of you using ABR in an unattended installation, you can now use the "--silent" option on the command line when restoring the activation. Note that this only works for restore, not backup.
  
• New package: ABR is now being distributed as a self-extracting archive. This was done using 7-zip which reduces the size of the download by 50%.
  
• Backup status output: ABR now outputs a few bits of information about the backup files. This information will help in debugging, should the need arise.
  
• Other misc/small bug fixes

As always, if you have any problems, please let me know!

Thanks to everyone who have found this tool useful, and also to those who have helped out with bug reports and providing debug information to help resolve them!

Download links on the main guide have been updated.

 

great work Orev!!!!!!!!!!

What a wonderful tool. We all appreciate all your hard work!!!

ann

 

Thanks Orev!. Have eagerly awaited the new release.

 

I wonder if this program can be used to backup the activation file of regular installations.

I have installed Vista in my PC with regular vista DVD and activated. SO, if I have to reformat and reinstall again, does this program back up that activation files?

 

Not for sure, but probably will only work with systems preinstalled with Vista when purchased and which contain the necessary files...

 

Can someone tell me how to save my drivers?

 

Sorry, ABR does not work for installations that have been activated the "normal" way, only for OEM installs at the moment. I would like to add the ability to backup other activations as well, but I don't have the time to dedicate to that right now.

Please read the guide. It tells you to save the SWsetup folder which has all of the drivers in it. If you don't have an HP laptop, you'll need to figure out what folder that is under on your system.

 

Thanks Orev.

I have a Sony notebook that I formated to get ride of all the crap came with it. And then loaded Vista from a normal DVD disk and activated with the Product key from the back of the notebook after calling MS. I did all this before came to this site.

Now, I have the recovery disks that I made it before wiping out all the original Sony loaded files. In that installation there were few things such as Movies etc, that I would like to get it.

Is it possible to extract those files from the recovery disk? If so, how do I do it?

What is the difference between a recovery disk and an installation disk?

Thanks

 

A recovery disc contains all the stuff that came on your computer when you bought it (all the crapware, ect). It will reinstall Vista with all of the programs as when you bought the computer. An installation disc will install only Vista and not anything else. In regards to getting the files you want, in Orev's signature, he has guides you can click on. One of those might work for you, the 'accessing HP recovery files'.

 

"A recovery disc contains all the stuff that came on your computer when you bought it ..."

What I meant is that, does it have only the installation.exe for the respective programs or the expanded files after the installation like the image of the hard drive?

 

It has the install files, and part of the recovery process is also to install them to the computer, so you get both.

 

Orev:

Are the contents of the hidden partition same as the recovery disc of a PC??

 

Yes.
.....

 

I tried downloading System Information for Windows and an error message keeps popping up. It reads as follows:

Can't open SiwIO.sys drivers!

Does anyone know how to fix this problem?

 

great instructions orev!

now what to do if you have dual hard drives?

 

It doesn't matter if you have 1 or 10 hard drives, this process works fine.

When I did it, I just moved all my personal data to the second HD, and then installed Vista to the first. Just make sure that if you do it this way, that you don't format or re-partition the second HD. As long as you leave it along it will all still be intact.

 

Ok I failed like at step one, which is making the vista dvd. I tried downloading the instal.wim file but when i reach about 80% or 95% i just time out, could be tha fact it takes 12 hours for me to download 2gig's. Is their any other way for me to get this anytime dvd disc. I'm curently using a hp dv pavilion 9640ca laptop.

 

Try using a different web browser to download it, or look into a download manager (downthemall for firefox is good) that allows you to resume the download when it fails.

 

k will give it a shot.

 

Or you can purchase one for fairly cheap:
http://www.windowsmarketplace.com/content.aspx?ctId=444

 

Yes it worked, but I have an odd problem. After installing the QLB Quick launch drivers, when you press mute the light stays blue and does not turn red.

Quickplat launch button also does not work. Will try a reboot.

 

Conexant audio drivers is whats responsible for the mute button turning blue/orange not QLB

 

I will have to install the next newest driver since the newest halves my volume and that's one reason I had to re-install.

Thanks.

 

Did the clean install according to the instructions some two weeks ago and it worked perfect without any problems. Installed SP1 the other day and everything still works great. Many thanks for this great tip!

I installed Vista Ultimate 32 on an ASUS F3S (Core 2 Duo 2.4 ghz). Couldn't find Vista on the HD so I had to download and burn my own disk using the link provided somewhere in the beginning of this thread. Worked fine. Downloaded all drivers from ASUS webpage (sloooooooow).

The ASUS doesn't really come with THAT much bloat (at least not the one I got here in the UK), but it does come with a useless trial of Norton and that alone makes this worthwhile.

Thanks again!

 

Thanks dude, ur guide help me do the clean install. Altho i did run into a couple problems.. such as:

1. After installing vLite for the first time, it autoruns, but instantly stops and i get an error message. However, vlite is actually installed already and just close and ignore the message and run it from the start menu.
2. I had to use vLite to create the Vista DVD.
3. vLite direct burn kept getting errors when writing to DVD.. i had to create an ISO image first and then burn it with vLite (burning with roxor or any other program doesn't boot on startup)
4. the DVD player won't see the Vista dvd until you eject it and reinsert it again.

 

Worked like a charm. I just have on going issues but I'll post that on another thread.

 

hi can i use a 32bit windows vista cd and make it install a 64bit version??!!!! please reply how i can!!!

 

You can't.

 

ok thanks anyway

 

HELP......where can i get the vista anytime upgrade cd????

 

Microsoft got rid of the Anytime Upgrade DVDs. But you can buy a backup DVD to reinstall your current version.

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