Clean Vista install WITH NO ACTIVATION

I got my x64 from MSDNAA as a student, it was the 64 business edition but it obviously had Ultimate and everything else in there as well.
I used Revo Uninstaller with my HP once to get rid of the unwanted things (bloatware).
I would lend you my DVD if you where closer than UK =D

 

Another program which be of interest to you is pc decrapifier.
http://pcdecrapifier.com/

 

Lol Pbottie you can always mail it to me.

yeah i kind of stumbled upon pcdecrapifier. If i cant find a decent torrent (is it legal to talk about it or not finally?) i will opt for that. Cheers.

 

Isn't it free?

 

Hey I just got my new laptop dv7z yesterday and I couldn't find the WAU folder just to let you know, and it didn't come with recovery discs so I had to burn my own using the new "Recovery Manager". So I had to torrent Windows Vista 64 bit and burn the image to a DVD. It worked so I have everything set up to be reformatted except right now I'm burning recovery discs so hopefully everything goes well later and then I can burn another set of recovery discs without bloatware using TrueImage.

 

Guys I`m having a little problem here, I just formated the notebook (VGN-NR140E - Sony Vaio), backuped the information and everything, but I run the activation_restore and at the System it doesn`t say that it`s activated. What`s going on?

 

HP computers don't have WAU folders.

Since downloading Vista via a torrent is not legal, it shouldn't be discussed here

Happy to hear that everything is working for you.

 

Did you install the same edition of Vista that was originally installed? (Homre premium, ultimate, etc...)

Check the files that were created (backup-key.txt and backup-cert.xrm-ms). Do they both exist? Do they both contain something?

If possible, run the restore again and copy/paste the output to me. You can send in a PM if you want.

 

If i want to backup my C folder do I have to use a software like Norton Ghost to back it up?

 

Also I am looking at both Orev's guide and stallen's guide and I was confused about one thing. Stallen has a step where you download and save your drivers that are needed. I cant seem to find that step in Orev's guide. I want to use Orev's guide since its mostly used for HP but I am a bit confused on that part. I think it might be the SWsetup step just not 100% sure.

Another thing in the step where I have to obtain the vista installation CD if I have HP notebook how do I do this? Looking through some of the pages of this thread many people have mentioned that HP notebooks dont have a WAU folder. If you dont have a WAU folder where do we find the Anytime Upgrade DVD? Or is this not saved at all on the Hard drive?

 

You can use any kind of software you are comfortable using.

On HP computers, there are drivers in the SWsetup folder, or you can download them from the site. To get the installation disc, you need to be creative in figuring out where to get it. If you can borrow it from someone, that would work.

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/Microsoft-Wind...|66:2|65:12|39:1|240:1318|301:1|293:1|294:50

Is this the CD I need?

 

That's the one.

 

It doesnt matter if its 32 or 64bit?

 

If you want 32-bit Vista, then make sure you get the 32-bit DVD. If you want 64-bit Vista, make sure you get the 64-bit one.

Your license doesn't care.

 

Oh, I removed my dumb question...

 

Voila... It worked!!!! Thanks, orev!

I started with my OEM Dell disc for 64 Vista Ultimate (from my XPS m1530) and followed orev's steps to strip out the OEM files and burned a new disc image. (I was stumped for a bit with vLite and the WAIK, but finally figured it out).

The OS reinstalled like a charm and I am in the process now of WindowsUpdate. A-W-E-S-O-M-E

 

vLite is telling me to download some WAIK stuff...it's like 1.3GB and it appears to be necessary for vLite's function. However, after I download it, I don't know what to do with it and vLite doesn't recognize it since it's telling me to download it again. What's the deal?

Oh and Orev, my Sager Vista OEM disc seems to have the same files as the Dell OEM disc so your instructions worked well. Thanks!

 

MrPresident, since I went through this last night, it's fresh in my mind. Yes, download the huge file and burn the image to a disc. Then install the WAIK from that disc. You'll also need to move the WAIK dll listed in the message vLite gives to the vLite root folder. After that, it worked like a charm for me.

 

Thank you POH! I'm installing WAIK now. I'm not sure what you're talking about in regards to the WAIK dll. Where do I find that?

 

Nevermind, looks like vLite didn't need the other file at all.

 

can i just install vista clean without doing recovery or backup since my laptop will be brand new and i will have no personal files on it and then just download the drivers from hp site.

 

I did. But mine came with the HP recovery discs, so if it hadn't worked, I could have at least gotten the notebook working again.

 

Worked great! Thanks again for the guide orev.

 

I've read a big chunk of this thread and haven't seen anyone ask if the ABR process would work if I were installing it on a NEW hard drive in my 9207us?

my concern is being asked to active because of a hardware change.

orev - thanks for the great guide and to everyone that has asked any questions or provided solutions.

 

I don't see why it wouldn't work on a new hard drive. I mean, in this guide the ABR usage is assumed for the same hard drive but you're formatting it before you do your clean Vista install so it's like you're getting a new hard drive.

 

Guys I'm still encountering a problem, I tried everything but my Vista doesn't activate!

Here it is: h"ttp://img257.imageshack.us/img257/5338/fruy7.jpg (remove the ")

I do everything but it's not activating!

Help me guys please =(

 

The recovery discs are there in case something goes wrong, so they will allow you to get your laptop back to the initial state. Also, if you ever want to sell the laptop, they will come in handy to restore it.

It really doesn't take that much to make them, and the safety is very good to have. Just make them!

It should work fine on a new hard drive. Vista does not consider a hard drive change as "new hardware".

 

I purchased a laptop with 64 bit Vista Ultimate already installed, but no System DVDs. Looking at your guide, I believe I can use the 32 bit Vista Home Premium DVD that I already own from Windows Marketplace to install 32 bit Vista Ultimate with my 64 bit Vista key.

I'm making the assumption that

1) Home Premium Disc also has Ultimate available for install
2) Vista Ultimate key works for both 32 and 64 bit
Would that be correct?

 

Yes, both are correct.

 

Thanks a lot Orev! Will rep you as soon as I can.

 

Too easy! Scary how easy it was! Thanks for the great guide and tips!

Sam Bradford = Heisman
OU = National Champs

 

So is it safe to assume that the only way of getting the vista system cd today is purchasing one along with a license (for a hp dv5t)?

Also, I bought a laptop with vista home premium 64 bit with the intel n wireless but without a fingerprint reader or tv tuner or bluetooth. I'm downloading the drivers now in anticipation of a vista reinstall (if I am able to somehow get a hold of a system cd). Of all the drivers listed on the official hp dv5t website, I've decided I will not install the following:

HP Integrated Digital TV Tuner Driver
HP Integrated Hybrid TV Tuner Driver
Validity Fingerprint Sensor Driver
High-Definition Audio (HDA) Modem Installer and Driver for Microsoft Windows Vista
Broadcom Wireless LAN Driver for Microsoft Windows Vista
HP Recovery Partition Remover for Microsoft Windows Backup (Microsoft Windows Vista SP1)
DigitalPersona Fingerprint Software for Microsoft Windows Vista (64-bit)

Should I not omit any of those (or should I omit some of the ones that I plan on installing)?

Thanks!

 

thanks for the guide, just did a clean vista install on a new hard drive, for my hp dv5t. your guide was right on, and the program to back up the license was awesome. sent a rep point your way.

 

No, you may be able to borrow one from someone you know, or you may be able to find them on eBay.

 

Found someone who had it - thanks

Laptop arrived yesterday but no time to play around with it yet (finals on Friday). Will try re-installation sometime this weekend

 

Hi guys,

I've just got a HP DV5-1005tx here in New Zealand and I'm really keen on giving orev's guide a go. The problem is I can't even find the wau folder anywhere on the PC. Anyone have an idea where HP might have sneakily stashed it? I did a search in the thread and it didn't turn anything up....

Cheers,
Paul

 

You need to get it by other means

 

*Double Post*

 

This is similar to dtwn83's earlier post and I would just like some clarification......

When I built my desktop rig here, I was able to go to the computer store @ my University and obtain a 32bit Vista Ultimate disc on the cheap.

I know Vista Discs have all versions of Vista on them, but my question is this.....can I use this disc (and the associated Product Key) to perform a clean install of Vista Home Premium (the OS my lappy will be running) ?? Reading through the instructions on the very first page.....it says to enter the product key for the version I purchased.....so I'm thinking 'No', but I'd just like some verification on that

 

I just wanted to say thanks for this guide! I upgraded to Ultimate that I had bought but your guide allowed be to install my quick play buttons and software and backup my clean install for the future. Laptop companies should make it easy to get rid of all the crap on the laptop. Good work and thanks again! Also, add some rep for you.

 

It says to make sure you choose to install the same version you purchased... that's not related to entering the product key. If you are going to be using ABR, then you can skip entering the product key during the initial installation.

As for the disc, yes, you should be able to use it. That is what is meant by "all discs contain all versions". However, if it does not ask you what version to install, you may need to modify the Vista disc so it will ask you. Take a look at the instructions for modifying the Dell disk for ideas on how to do this.

 

Thanks for clearing that up for me then

 

Hi,

I have got most of the way through this guide on my HP DV5-1005tx.

I borrowed a Dell 32 bit Vista disc and made my own bootable version with vLite (incl. WAIK etc) and that seemed to go fine.

I made the Recovery Discs, followed the ABR process and backed up the SwSetup file on DVD.

When I began the clean install everything seemed to go fine. I followed the steps exactly as per Orev's guid and everything was great. I re-partitioned the hard drive to allow a 25GB partition for Windows and the rest for my own use.

The installation process has completed, copying windows files, expanding files, installing features and installing updates before restarting. At this reboot it said something about please wait while Vista boots for the first time and then goes back to the completing installation title. At this point it seems to be idle and doesn't appear to continue with anything even though I have left it for quite a while. The progress bar appears to be stationary too.

Is this normal? Can anyone tell me if this is right or if I have mucked something up or else if I'm just being impatient?

Cheers,

Paul

 

I just found someone had the same problem customizing their Dell Business disc to create a Vista Installation Disc earlier on in this thread. If anyone has a solution for using a Dell disc in this way please let me know as I would really like to peform a clean install and start from scratch!

Cheers

 

where is the best place to get a vista anytime upgrade disc. can anyone provide a link. nobody seems to sell them anymore on ebay.

 

The Anytime discs were discontinued, I believe, Look on eBay, though. I say on there two weeks ago.

 

i just search by entering "vista anytime upgrade disc" and nothing came up

 

You need to look a little more:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320326326820

 

i saw that but wasn't sure if it is a 64 bit disc or 32 bit disc. i need the 64 bit version