Vista Fresh Install IS possible W/out purchasing CD!!!!!!

Anyone before I order??

 

yes, i did that and made the backups myself. Saved 20 bucks.

Now if i only had the 99 bucks back that i spent on the Norton 3 year service.....

 

Easier said than done... Maybe you have 1-2 days to spare fooling around with your computer... I would rather be fooling around with other things.

 

Took me all of 45 mins to wipe HDD and reinstall Vista. All but three pieces of hardware were automatically recognized. You could get the rest of the drivers at hp.com.

So, 45 mins to reinstall, 10 - 15 mins to get the drivers and ba'm. I'm back in action.

A grand total of maybe 1 hour. Now, go try it.

 

OMG! TELL ME how it is! Is it noticeably faster, is it worth it?

I will be checking tomorrow for a response, BS75...

BigSurf75 = "BS" 75... BS for a reason, hey?

Hehehe...

PS: BS, did you use the magic jelly bean key to install or did you use the upgrade key?

 

How would I go about doing this? Seems like a good idea. If you can clean install with the update disk an unlimited number of times it is roughly the same thing, no? But still a neat idea. What are pros and cons of each? Thanks.

 

Wow, well....

Just pop in the disk, and restart the computer. Follow the instructions from there. You can clean install and unlimited number of times.

Its no different than actually having your disk.

 

So, BS, I'm just wondering... as someone who's just done the clean install... is it worth it, or is it BS?

I'm actually waiting to hear your particular opinion on it... You, my friend, will make the decision as to whether or not I will be installing a clean version of Vista

 

hey guys..thanks for the info.

just one question: what becomes of the quickplay buttons after you do a fresh install of vista? Say i install a new version of vista home premium, will the volume/quickplay buttons work with wmp or wmc?

also, say i build a CTO dv6000 with bluetooth/webcam/mic/remote. does vista audotmatically install those too? or do you have to go download drivers?

and lastly, is quickplay 3.0 worth it? it seems like..you can do everything that it does in WMC, baring the webcam function. however, im sure there are webcam programs that are similar to the quickplay one rite? can anybody answer?

THANKS!

 

Every time you reinstall from the update disk, you have install the drivers afterward and you have to call Microsoft to activate Vista. That's a lot of time and hassle if you ask me.

Creating an image of a fresh install after installing the drivers is a better way to reinstall later. You don't have to install the drivers and you don't have to call to activate.

I use Apricorn Easy Gig II to make back-up.

 

So you just make a back up and use that to wipe your hard drive and clean install every time? I am sure that is easier but I have just never done this. Thanks

 

Also, when installing manually you ahve the option of installing Vista on just like 80GB of a 160GB hard drive and just leaving the rest unallocated correct? Thanks for the help.

 

OK I have a really dumm question, the DVD you get from HP the System Recovery DVD w/Windows Vista Home Premium. Is that the same as making your own recovery, and the same as the partition? And this one has all the bloatware right? So I need to use the other dvd the vista upgrade.Just wanna make sure I don't waste my time and have a back-up

 

Correct.

Yes, same as making your own recovery discs. Yes, it contains all the bloatware. Yes, use the vista upgrade DVD.

 

Another question for those who have already done this:

After using the Vista upgrade disc, do you still have the capability afterwards to make recovery discs like we did with XP? I know I can use the ones I created when I got the laptop to recover/re-install back to XP, but what about a re-install from scratch of Vista in case something goes wrong (i.e. virus, etc.) I used this capability once already (for XP) on my dv6000t after someone downloaded a program that caused big problems, and even though it meant getting back all the bloatware (and having to manually delete it all again) it was well worth it to have a clean, trouble-free system again. I'd hate to lose this option. Thanks!

 

Look at post #60. David has a great method for getting back to your fresh install should something go wrong.

 

So it looks like the answer is "no" then.... there's no built-in utility for burning Vista recovery discs like I had with XP? What are the options with Vista if the OS gets corrupted? Can you do a fresh re-install using the Vista upgrade discs?

 

I bet you could save the restore files to a disc.

Likewise, you could use system restore to fix the OS should it get corrupted.

Yes, you can do a fresh re-install using the Vista upgrade discs.

 

Hey guys...

You know the Magic Jellybean key that you can get out of Vista with the util and use with the full install on the Anytime Upgrade?

What about using this key for Ultimate, has anyone tried it? Is it worth trying? I doubt it would work, but if it is a VLK, you never know...

 

Is it an ultimate key? There is no VLK for Vista Ultimate because MS does not distribute it to businesses in volume quantities. As far as I know, the only Vista edition that uses VLK is the enterprise edition that is only available to MS business partners. As for using it to get Ultimate, you can't unless you are using ultimate right now, otherwise you won't have an ultimate key and will need to install a keyless trial version of ultimate.

 

Hey has anyone who's gotten their laptop this month get a vista upgrade anytime dvd? (or will I have to torrent vista when I get my laptop)?

 

I didn't get one, but Best Buy happily gave one when I brought my receipt in. I'd be glad to image the Anytime DVD for you if you send me a blank and postage. I'm in Canada.

 

Thanks for the offer but I just simply downloaded vista (thank god for fiber optics).

 

can somebody provide a comparison of how much faster the comp runs with a fresh install as opposed to factory install?

 

This may be a stupid question but where do I find the OEM key? This is what I give when I call Microsoft to activate, yes?

 

Littleasian: BigSurf75 claims thew system is a little faster and more responsive...

Speedsterdm: The original master key can be found with the Magic Jellybean utility posted on this board. Run it, and it finds the key hidden in your system and tells you what it is.

 

I just did a clean install last night using the tips from this thread, and it worked well. Thanks, everyone!

 

But I still haven't heard it from people. Just what kind of improvements are you noticing? Do you think they are the kind of improvements that will go away as you start installing your programs and drivers again?

 

Well, it seems to run faster, and there are far fewer processes running now. It also seems to open web pages and such more quickly. Beyond that, I just feel good knowing I don't have to worry about that junk.

On the subject of drivers, I had to install the audio drivers only, and only to make the QuickLaunch mute button turn orange--everything else worked right out of the gate, though I haven't tried to webcam yet. I'm not quite sure why; I backed up the SWSetup and then copied it back to the hard drive but didn't reinstall any of it, except for HP Total Care Advisor which I kind of like.

 

Another question, where is the SWSetup folder located in Vista, I have searched and have not found it.

 

Speedsterdm:

1. Your OEM key can be found either through the Magic Jelly Bean Utility or by looking at the sticker on the bottom of your laptop. (I've heard that they are actually different on factory installed laptops)

2. Your swsetup folder is in C

 

Does anyone have a problem with Quick Play functionality after doing the fresh install? If i'm not mistaken, the Quick Play also use a different partition and should not be deleted when doing clean install, am i correct?

 

Correct, don't delete the last partition, take a look in these forums, there is a long thread about upgrading. I now have Vista Ultimate with QuickPlay 2.3 working. The 2.3 version boots when I hit the DVD QuickLaunch button (when the machine is turned off). I also have QuickPlay 3.0 within Vista but feel this is duplicate functionality with Media Center so may blow it away!

 

Thats what i want to do! I needa know how to get quickplay 2.3 to load with the button push and then vista home premium only to work on startup!

 

Couple of addition questions for the experts who've done this:

1) What exactly is in the SWSetup folder that I might need to use? If I have backups of all my drivers in EXE files, would that be enough? Or does this SWSetup folder actually have program settings? And if so, isn't that what we're trying to AVOID carrying over into a new installation?

For settings on specific programs like Mail, I would just export the settings and import them on the new install.

2) Do I really even NEED to make the backup HP Recovery DVDs, since all that help software, etc. is available online? If I have the Windows Anytime, and it works as a full install with the original OEM key, then, that's innately a backup, no?

Thanks peeps.

 

Just a couple of questions. I never made HP Recovery disks and I have already deleted the recovery software (not the partition, just the HP Recovery Help). Is there a way to still burn the recovery partition to disk in case I dont like the fresh install and can resort to the factory one?

Also, can I get/keep Quickplay somehow since it's one of the only ways to access the webcam?

Roxio Burning sweet is ok by my standards as well. Is it a possibility to keep a couple of programs, maybe by installing them afterwards from the recovery disk or no?

Thanks.

 

Anyone have a 32 bit anytime upgrade DVD?
The one that came wth my 9225 is a 64 bit only version & I want to go 32 bit.

 

Hey ButchN

I've got the one that came with my DV9200, 32-bit anytime upgrade DVD.
We can trade if you like. Upload, whatever.

 

If I did that and didn't have the recovery DVD, I would probably hit that F11 button at boot, or whichever it is and restore my notebook completely back to factory. After that, you can run the HP utility to create the recovery DVD and put it in a safe place.

 

I am doing a second fresh install right now. Still a bit confused about the activation process. Can I use the Vista key from the factory to activate without having to call Microsoft? Thanks.

Also, when I was installing it the first time, I remember the activation guy asked me if I was installing it for the first time. If I have to call to activate this time, should I tell them I am installing for the first time or the second time? Thanks.

 

What version did your computer come with and what are you trying to install?
Are you just trying to do a clean install of what it originally came with?

 

I don't know what version I have on my DV9207us. I am installing a clean, fresh, non-factory Vista from the update CD. I did this once before so this would be the second time.

 

Should be ok if you use your key. You will end up with the same version of Vista that originally came on the computer and should activate without problems.

 

So far, it's no good. Error "a problem occurred when windows tried to activate. Error code 0xc004E003."

I might have to use the recovery disk. Can someone pm me the code to activate office 2007? I just want to remove it. Microsoft sent it to me once, but I lost it. Thanks.

Apparently, the key extracted by KeyFinder is different from key on the bottom of the laptop. I tried the new key and still it did not go through. Now I have to use the phone and most likely it won't work until I talk to an activation person. Thanks a lot Microsoft.

Just as I thought, I had to use the phone and talked to some one. Has anyone here successfully do this phone without having to talk to a person in the end. Can you believe it? It's still not activated. Oh, man. I don't know what to do now. When I the activation lady asked if I am installing for the first time, I said yes. She asked for the make and model of the computer and the key. She said please wait for two minutes while my computer is generating the activation code for you. Then she talked and I entered the numbers clicked next. The screen actually said activation was successful. But still no activation.

Does this sound normal? I don't remember being asked for the make and model and the key the first time I did it. What was your experience the first or second time? Please share. I am afraid they have my computer excluded from activation now.

 

Do yourself a favor. Start researching Vista Oem Activation.

I found out my DV9200T supports it after much trial and error. You will eventually find a link to an HP Certificate you need to download, The Correct OEM Key, & the couple of commands you have to type to Activate Vista. If your notebook supports Instant Activation in it's BIOS, your activation problems are over. Good Luck with your research.

 

No, If you already deleted the partition, there's no magic button that will get it back to factory condition. It needs to get all that stuff from somewhere, and that place is the partition which was deleted.

No partition or DVDs, no factory restore.

 

Check out my new thread on this topic. Clean install of Vista. Follow that procedure, and you don't have to call Microsoft or deal with online activation.

 

Oh, I thought he just removed the utility to create the backup DVD's and didn't do anything to the partition.

 

Hi.

does all of you have the Windows Upgrade Anytime DVD.
Too bad, I didn't received one. What can I do to have a copy of that??

Gerol

 

You know, after all of this thread... I have been following it quite actively...

I have decided I am not gonna reinstall Vista just yet. I find I am still doing too much install/uninstall of programs and drivers because of all the "unsettled" issues out there, especially with optimal sound and audio drivers, and there's not even up-to-date programs out yet for Bluetooth, wireless keyboards, etc.

Once I got Vista to work with a slower 1GB SD card in its memory slot, it's been running remarkably faster. That's good enough for me, for now. I plan on expanding to 2 GB of "real" memory sometime.

Maybe then, I will reinstall vista, but right now, with all the hassle, and the messy registry I'm going to end up with, continuing to play with beta drivers, etc. I just don't think it's time to do it. I'm actually going to advise anyone against it. If you're experiencing a slow OS, my advice is now officially: To uninstall as much of the HP add-on software as possible, and then, also, get extra memory or use an SD card for ReadyBoost. Wait until Vista's driver issues are settled, and then reinstall. In the meantime, try to keep track of the tweaks you make so that you can re-apply them when you re-install (i.e. I have the Remote Desktop hack under Vista Home Premium to enable it).