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    Recovery CD - Possible to install fresh OS?

    Discussion in 'HP' started by chiaroscurist, Mar 27, 2007.

  1. chiaroscurist

    chiaroscurist Notebook Consultant

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    I have a Vista Business Recovery CD from HP and I was wondering if there was a way to install the OS without bloatware. In other words, I'd like to use the recovery CD as an OS CD rather than a CD that would revert my computer back to its factory state. I remember for Windows XP, there was a folder called I386 under C drive and I used that to create my OS CD. But on Vista, there is no such file under C drive or anywhere else. Have any ideas?
     
    chiaroscurist, Mar 27, 2007
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  2. mbmalone

    mbmalone Notebook Consultant

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    Did you get the Genuine Upgrade DVD?
    It has the full version of Vista on it, format and install clean and it won't install all the crap. If you do a recovery, it will.
     
    mbmalone, Mar 27, 2007
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  3. chiaroscurist

    chiaroscurist Notebook Consultant

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    you are a genius. i totally forgot about that. it says it only contains 32 bit darn it~! i wanted 64bit
     
    chiaroscurist, Mar 27, 2007
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  4. zoompad

    zoompad Newbie

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    Your OEM key will not work. The only way to install from the DVD is to buy and upgrade.

    Z
     
    zoompad, Mar 27, 2007
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  5. chiaroscurist

    chiaroscurist Notebook Consultant

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    thanks for the heads up. that sux...
     
    chiaroscurist, Mar 27, 2007
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  6. mbmalone

    mbmalone Notebook Consultant

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    Yea, they got me with that 32-bit gotcha, too.

    I found a torrent originating from (mod edit: shh...) for the 64-bit version and used my genuine HP key to install it. It worked fine. I'm thinking of going back to 32-bit, however.

     
    mbmalone, Mar 28, 2007
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  7. brianstretch

    brianstretch Notebook Virtuoso

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    mbmalone: thanks for confirming that trick works. I was hoping that was the case.
     
    brianstretch, Mar 28, 2007
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  8. mtor

    mtor Notebook Deity

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    yea that really sucks.
     
    mtor, Mar 28, 2007
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  9. booyoo

    booyoo Notebook Consultant

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    If your OEM key doesn't work with the fresh install, use a key retrieve utility (search google for "magical jelly bean") to get your existing key before you format. That one is sure to work as that is the OEM key you own.
     
    booyoo, Mar 28, 2007
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  10. chiaroscurist

    chiaroscurist Notebook Consultant

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    Thanks Booyoo, I'll try that method today. I've decided to install 32bit instead of 64bit, (64bit seems very unstable from what I've been reading recently) so I guess I could use the genuine upgrade DVD provided by HP. I'll keep you guys posted. Wish me luck!~
     
    chiaroscurist, Mar 28, 2007
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  11. dzjepp

    dzjepp Notebook Enthusiast

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    You can install the upgrade dvd as a clean install. But it requires a workaround that Microsoft probably doesn't like

    http://www.dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=5932

    All Vista upgrade installs are really "full" installs anyway, this method works ok.
     
    dzjepp, Mar 28, 2007
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  12. chiaroscurist

    chiaroscurist Notebook Consultant

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    i just found that website too. thanks though. I'm backing up all my files right now. Should have new clean OS on my comp before 3pm PST.
     
    chiaroscurist, Mar 28, 2007
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  13. chiaroscurist

    chiaroscurist Notebook Consultant

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    success!. I had to install it twice, but it worked flawlessly. I used the key I got from Jelly Bean Keyfinder.
     
    chiaroscurist, Mar 28, 2007
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