Trying a Clean Vista Install, but no "Upgrade Anytime" disc

So I just got a new hard drive, and I plan on doing a complete clean reinstall of everything. I did read the sticky for doing so, and I've already done 2 full clean reinstallations on this laptop. Problem is, I have no idea where I left my "Upgrade Anytime" disc, so I can't use that. There's supposedly the files floating around online, but the two places I found in the sticky, along with some google searching resulted in dead links. Downloading a torrent of the files is also out of the question, as my school's network blocks torrent clients the moment they're opened.

I tried calling Fry's and Best Buy, neither stocks the DVD anymore, and they only have the full upgrade discs that cost $150+. My school was no help either, as they said they only have an enterprise edition strictly restricted to the faculty. I even tried finding someone I know that might have them, but either they lost the disc, have no idea what I'm talking about, or use a mac.

What I'm wondering is, does anyone have a working link to the "Upgrade Anytime" files? Also, I've made some HP recovery discs, but apparently they install Vista with all the crap that came with the computer, which is exactly what I'm trying to avoid. Is there any way to use these discs to do a completely clean reinstall?

Oh, these are the file names. I tried running google searches but they all returned the same dead location. Maybe someone knows where to find copies:

x32
install.wim
boot.wim
X13-49120.exe

 

Ah, that's a tricky one. Do you still have your old drive? Try to get the files off of there and/or try to get the i386 folder off of that drive if it is available. If not, try ebay or contacting Microsoft for support (hold the laughter). If those options aren't any good, try running the recovery discs straight onto the old drive and extracting the required files that way. The only other option after that would be to purchase a new copy of the discs. If you have a valid license, Microsoft may replace your lost media for some nominal cost of the media. Good luck!

 

Brother I feel your pain.

Ebay is your best bet.

 

There was an easy way posted. Use your recovery discs to re-install. Once you load windows, it'll start installing the bloatware. From there, your keyboard will not be functional, so you find some files and right click on them, rename, and copy the individual letters.

right click on the taskbar and click on properties, and customize the start bar to have the run function, then copy and paste letters until you get "msconfig" in the run. click on ok, and go to the startup tab, and disable a process...forgot what it was called, something like FBI manager. But once you disable that, restart your computer while the stuff is still installing and you'll have a fully functional clean install of vista.

here's the thread:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=304154

 

Hey, one more quick question, I found a relative that has a Windows Vista Premium disc (which is the version I have), but it says "for use with new eMachine desktops" on it. I'm wondering if this is just a message to distributors like Wal-Mart so that they include the disc when selling a pc, but it really does work as a clean premium install on any computer. Or, do you think it contains all kinds of drivers and software like the HP recovery discs, and it will put me in an even worse position? I'd go and check it out, but it's about an hour away, and I'd rather see if anyone knows for sure before I waste all that gas.

Oh, and thanks Harper for that guide, if this disc doesn't work, I'll probably end up doing that method...

 

Alright, talked with my Aunt about what was on the disc through Windows' "explore" option and all seemed to be valid windows folders and files. eMachines software wouldn't be hidden inside the Windows folders though, would it? She didn't see any kind of folder with separate software in it. Putting the disc in the computer yielded an official Windows install screen, with no eMachines branding. Do you think it might be a valid copy, except that it has an eMachines logo on the label?

 

you should be able to download Vista from a Microsoft-endorsed site.
burn that to a DVD and install like normal. digitalriver

 

The eMachines Disk will not work, since it has your Aunt's serial key + drivers for her computer.

And the downloads are no longer available for download.

 

His idea +1

Just enter in your own serial number and you are good to go.

 

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=240320

 

Those links haven't worked for MONTHS and likely never well again. There have been many posts about them no longer working in the "Clean Install..." thread.

 

ah i see. they took down the links..... probably because people starting pirating

 

So I tried out the eMachines DVD and it actually worked. Aside from the label being branded on it, it was a perfectly clean Vista Premium install. I just wanted to let anyone who might be in the same predicament know that some of the OEM DVDs are actually a clean version of Vista. And thanks again everyone for your quick responses, this forum's always been helpful since I first got this laptop.

 

Aslong as you used your own key to activate, its all good.

 

thats good news! i wouldnt have expected it to be clean version of Vista