Vista Install Disc

Just purchased a HP notebook computer with Vista preinstalled. The computer did not come with a Windows install disk. There is the ability to create a Restore disk and use that to get back to the condition the PC was when I bought it. However, I would like a disk to be able to do a clean install or an install in future in case of problems without losing all my data.

Any way to get this disk?

Thanks

 

i think there are tutorials around to create such a disc from the recovery partition or discs u create.

you could also purchase the OEM version

or you could download Vista and use ur key on that (not sure itll work)

 

All new computers only come with the ability to make your own Restore CDs. They do not come with a full Vista disc, unfortunately.

I'm currently looking for a way to make a complete image/backup of both my harddrives, that way I can use the restore CDs to get back up and running and the images to set me back to the spot I'm at now. Any idea how I do that? I know that Vista has backup software on it, but I saw no way to make images of your harddrive(s) for backup use.

 

I found an app called casper that clones ur drive for u, not sure if it works with vista cuz well thats a new OS so might not have an update for it

if it does work wat u cud do is create an .iso image of all the files on ur drive using UltraIso

 

Where are these tutorials on how to create a installation disk from the recovery disk or partition? Thanks

 

You would need to purchase the disk

 

As far as I know, that guide only applies to XP. We don't have those wonderful folders hidden in our recovery folder. We have the new Vista WIM image files in there instead. Wonderful isn't it?

But one thing I will certainly try is to use the Vista business disk from school to try to install the home basic I have on this laptop with the key I have for this laptop. From what I hear vista is the same disk but different keys... dunno if it will work but the day I crash this thing, I will try.

 

I didnt receive any CD either for system/windows restore. Earlier they used to send.

But I do have a volume on my hard-drive around 2gb that says system backup. Should I make a DVD copy of that?

 

theres a built-in program called system recovery or hp recovery or something like that, it helps u create discs of the recovery partition

 

Hi, Its under the 'Recovery Manager' program group. there is a shortcut to 'Recovery Disc Creation'.

 

When I received my NC8430 last week it didn't come with the XP disc so I made a recovery DVD. Then I went to the HP support site and chatted with Live support and asked if they could send me the XP disc, they did and all they needed was my mailing address and a few days later it arrived in the mail with the device drivers. Mind you the NC8430 is a business notebook so I don't know if it's different with the consumer models. You might give the livesupport a try. Here's the link: http://welcome.hp.com/country/us/en/contact/chat_1.html

 

As far as I know, HP notebooks do come with a vista disk. Except it's called the Windows Anytime Upgrade DVD. The essential point is that the disk contains all of the 32-bit versions of Vista except Starter Edition (developing countries only) and Enterprise Edition (Volume Licensing only). The original "big idea" here is that you can upgrade to a higher version by purchasing a new product key from MS which then unlocks the appropriate edition on the DVD. Therefore, it stands to reason that if you popped in the DVD, booted from it, then entered the OEM key for your laptop (on the sticker on the bottom of the laptop) it should do an install of the OS that came with your notebook minus the bloatware that comes from HP. The downside is that you lose all your HP drivers and QuickPlay and such so be sure to backup your SWSetup folder in C before doing the clean install.

 

That's exactly what i did.Installed a clean version of vista with the "anytime upgrade" dvd.The only problem is, it doesn't accept my OEM serial when am trying to activate.Keeps telling me that the number is "invalid"

 

Use the activate by phone and call up MS to activate. You'll first be patched through to automated activation where you tell the system your info and get a confirmation ID read to you. If that doesn't work, you can always talk to a live person next. If you OEM key isn't pirated...which coming from HP i would hope not...then there's no reason you can't activate.

 

I'm getting my HP dv6000z on the 26th. So they definitely send the Upgrade Anytime disc? I was under the impression that they didn't send any discs unless you ordered a recovery disc for your version of Vista (which does the factory restore). In the dv6000z review, the author said that they didn't send an XP disc.

I'm just checking because I'm thinking of doing a clean install (I'm a minimalist).

 

Well, in the two dv6000t's that I've come into contact with they do ship the upgrade DVD's. Even if you don't get one, you can order another copy from Microsoft for free, with $7.00 shipping.

 

How do you order that DVD form Microsoft?

 

Word of caution: ordering an upgrade DVD from Microsoft isn't the same as buying a license for Vista, the disk itself does NOT come with a product key and without one you cannot install a licensed copy of windows, only a trial copy good for a maximum of 120 days (I believe).

1). You go to www.windowsanytimeupgrade.com, scroll the the bottom of the page and click the "Buy Now" button.

2). Select the version of vista you currently have, or just randomly select one, doesn't matter as long as it's not Ultimate

3). Click on one of the choices that says to buy a license ($90-$200). Don't worry you aren't actually going to buy it.

4). You'll be in an order page with your cart displayed and a question asking if you have the upgrade DVD. Click "No"

5). The DVD will be added to your cart with a $7.00 shipping fee.

6). Delete the upgrade license from your cart, then enter payment info and order just the disk.

That should work, but I've never personally tried it so...tell us if it worked.

 

That's good. As much as I love bloatware, I will definitely want to do a clean install.

 

I think you have been ripped off. Microsoft says that all comptuers that you purchase that have vista installed should have a upgarde anytime cd inside if it does that cd is the vista install cd. I have installed vista with that cd the anytime upgrade cd that is supposed to come with all systems that have vista installed. Install from that disk and put your produt key in from the bottom of the comptuer

 

If you did not get that Vista anytime upgrade cd in your system you need to contact microsoft becuase its supposed to be there. If its not in there that means the store took it out which is unethical or 2. the manufacture broke the agreement with microsoft becuase its supposed to be there. We purchased a few Gateway laptops that had vista home premium installed all of them came with a DVD that said Windows Vista Anytime Upgrade. If you insert that DVD and boot from it you can install a clean OS or you can run the upgrade from within windows xp or vista. Enter your product key and your are good to go. If yo have any issuse send me a pm and i will get you the microsoft info so you can make your complaint. Microsoft will send you the upgrade anytime dvd for a $10 shipping charge

 

$7 shipping charge

 

Just use the live chat feature on the hp website and ask them to send you a Vista DVD with drivers and you won't have to pay shipping.

 

I think its a ripoff that the oem disk isn't included anymore if you ask me.
When you buy your lap/desktop you are also buying a oem licence. You even "Have the Option" of buying a image disk. Why cant they just give you your oem disk that you paid for???