Clean Install Guide (works for 32-bit or 64-bit)

I've not heard of a problem like this before. Try to copy all of the files from the flash drive to the hard drive, then run the restore program from the hard drive.

 

Hi orev,

I just tried your suggestion and it's a no go. It's strange because when I used the activation-backup it said everything was successful but when I try to restore it says I have a missing or empty activation certificate. Any more suggestions? Thanks for the help.

 

Do you have 2 files for backup or just 1. When you use the program, it copies 2 files: a text file I guess & other cert file.

 

Yea there are 2 files. One text file named "backup-key" and one other file named "backup-cert"

 

Can you open the file & see what's in there. I will look into the file that I have & let you know what I see inside the file.

 

I can open the backup-key and it's just a text file with 5 sets of 5 numbers/letters. The backup-cert opens with internet explorer and is pretty long so I don't think i can past it here but starts with: <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8" ?>

Thanks for the help.

 

It looks like you have the files backed-up, ABR just can't find the file to restore. When you run the restore, disable any antivirus and other security software, and also try to right-click on the restore file and select "Run as Administrator".

If that doesn't work, try to download ABR again and copy the backup-* files into the new ABR folder. Finally, if that doesn't work, please describe how you are running the restore program.

 

Hey it worked! I tried changing the flash drive I was using and I used "Run as Administrator". Thanks for the help and great program orev!

 

Glad it worked for you. I forgot but I had to do the same thing.

 

Can this be updated for the newer T500 please? Especially since it defers with the new Switchable graphics capability.

 

Excellent guide, thanks! Did a clean install to replace my Vista Home 32-bit with the 64-bit version. The whole process was very easy and straight forward, leaving my T61 feeling much more responsive in everyway. +rep

 

Is this guide still completely correct then for a R400?

 

I tried to install the 3rd driver (Matrix Storage Manger Driver) and my system said the driver didn't need to be installed because it was already updated.

Is this a problem?

X61 tablet with Vista 32 bit Business

 

Where it has integrated card reader on my R400 I think I have Ricoh Card Reader which is on the website. Should I replace this into the order or not?

Also do I need the Windows Vista Update modules as well as the registry patches?

 

After reading this guide, I registered because I haven't seen how Vista SP1 is dealt with.

I have a Lenovo laptop pre-installed Vista Premium 32-bit. It's giving me fits right now, but it has SP1 installed on it since I bought it. I do have the Vista Anytime Upgrade disk. It was included in the purchase. I also have an original set of OEM recovery disks that Lenovo sent me when the HDD crashed during the warranty period.

So, do I have to uninstall SP1 in order to do a clean install of Vista, or is there some other work around?

TIA

 

Service packs have no impact on the process. After you do the clean install, you will need to run Windows Update which will install all of the updates and service packs. You should actually be up to SP2 with Vista by now, and if you're not you need to enable automatic updates.

 

Thanks for the quick reply. I haven't installed SP2 because I had a feeling a reinstall was coming down the pike and didn't want to spend the time d/l'ing it.

 

I followed this guide to the T, and am now running Vista Business 64 with absolutely no issues whatsoever - 2 thumbs up!!

 

Will this guide work for Windows 7 when it is released?

 

Well, I did it!!!

Thank you so much for this guide.

Presently downloading the first batchof 90 updates. There will probably be another batch to download after this.

 

Can someone update this guide for Windows 7...that would be awesome

 

Check the last post at http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=380490&page=47

 

I followed the instructions to delete the hidden partition and perform a clean install of Vista 32 bit. I got all the drivers reinstalled and everything is working. I'm very pleased with the 70-80 second boot time. Before it was 5 minutes or more to get everything to settle down where I could actually use the computer.
However, now I only see 3GB of RAM on this screen: Control Panel\System and Maintenance\System. I ran the Memory Diagnostic Tool and it was clean. I'm positive my Thinkpad T61 came with Qty=2 of the following: 2GB PC2-5300 DDR2 SODIMM. My T61 also came with an Intel Robson Card 1GB for the Turbo Memory.
Any ideas why I can only see 3GB of RAM now? I'm a bit of a novice, so perhaps I'm not understanding something??

 

A 32-bit OS can only use a maximum of 3GB of RAM. Once you install all updates and service packs, the system will report 4GB again, but it still can't use it all. If you want to actually use all 4GB, you need 64-bit.

 

Thank you. This site and guide was spot on, and very helpful!

 

I am still not sure whether these instructions can be followed to perform a clean install on my new Thinkpad T410S with Windows 7 loaded on it instead of Vista.

Can anyone please confirm whether I can follow these instructions exactly as they are, but for Windows 7 instead?

Thanks!

 

I think it will work. All you need to check is if the tool to copy your activation code is working or not. Other than that it should be good.

 

I NEED HELP NOW
I followed the steps perfectly. I did not have dvds so I used cds I had about 10- 12. On the step where you boot off of the startup cd image disk one it goes into some think vantage thing. Anyway I really seriously need help. I am not computer illiterate and have a comptia cert for a+. I did exactly the steps and this is on my brother's T61. I now have 2 black eyes and my back really hurts from getting thrown throw my bed post. This is not fair I did everything correctly and I can't get the thing to work it just says wrong disk. and if I try to boot from the hard drive it says no operating system found. I really resent the author of this post I hope he or someone can help me. I have read every page up until 25. I can't take it anymore. I did it perfectly. I just need to give my brother a working computer I don't care. Please help me please I did it the right way I need this now.

 

If I remember it right, you don't have to boot off of the startup disk. You will need a Vista CD, insert the CD, install Vista clean & then use the orev software to retrieve your key.

Prashant

 

i don't have a vista cd. I made a back up of the partition. I get this D:/preboot/utils/convert.cmd missing
and i think i have rescue and recovery 4
why can't I make a clean install with the cds?
help

 

OH MY GOD COMPUTER PROBLEMS EVERYBODY PANIC

What operating system are you trying to reinstall? If all else fails, you can just download a standard version of that operating system and use the CD-key on the bottom of the laptop to reinstall. You may have to call microsoft to get an authorization key but it's not a difficult process. It takes about 5 mins.

 

The backup of the partition you took is the Vista with all crapware. If you install that, you are defeating the purpose of clean install.
I think you can find the clean Vista no key CD if you search online. Since those CDs don't have any keys, you should be good to go. Use that CD to install clean Vista based on the previous version of Vista you had on that machine like Vista Pro X64. Then use orev to install the key.

On a side note, if you recently bought Vista, you should be able to upgrade that to Win7.

Prashant

 

Its just that my brother is making everyone's life miserable right now. I really need to get this to him now. I would have to buy 7. I will have to do that at another time. But about downloading vista 64x I have been looking for it but can't find it. I do have the thumb drive with his vista serial number. I would love to do the clean install with 64x but please don't hate me for directing me to where I could get that vista. I looked on google and vuze... I'm not sure where to go.

 

Send me a PM

 

agmoney007@ yahoo.com

 

how do you do pm?

 

i do not have permission to access pm

 

please help me

 

whatever i just bought and burnt an windows 7 upgradeable iso. can i still use my vista thumbdrive to activate

 

First, you need to calm down. You will find that many people are happy to help you, but only if you stop demanding things and have a clear and level head about it. If you are serious about your brother causing physical violence because of some computer problem, please stop posting here and call the police. Seriously.

As for this question, no, you cannot use a Windows 7 CD to install and then activate with a Vista key, but honestly you already knew that.

There are many places where you can download a Vista DVD and then do the clean install from it. You do not need to buy anything. Since you have the Vista license, downloading the DVD is not piracy.

 

I have a T61 that I purchased in June 2007. I have done the fresh Vista Install using the instructions in the this forum. I had success 12 months ago, but this time around I'm having issues. I am getting BSOD driver incompatibility issues. But I don't have the knowledge to figure out which driver is causing the problem. When I go to the Lenovo driver download page, I see two different options for Chipset driver:
1) 2009-12-11. Intel Chipset Support for Windows 7, Vista and XP - ThinkPad
2) 2007-12-31. Intel Chipset Support for Windows Vista, XP, 2000 - ThinkPad Reserve Edition, R61, R61e, R61i, T61, T61p, X61, X61s, X61 Tablet, X300.

I also see three different options for Wifi driver:
1) 2010-04-01. Intel Wireless LAN (11abgn, abg, bg) for Windows Vista - ThinkPad
2) 2009-05-27. Wireless LAN ThinkPad 11abg, abgn, bg, bgn for Windows Vista (64-bit and 32-bit) - ThinkPad.
3) 2007-12-12. Intel Wireless LAN (11abgn, abg, bg) for Windows Vista - ThinkPad.


Which drivers should I use? The most recent I'm guessing? Any help would be appreciated.

 

can't you use the program like the magic jelly bean or something like that to put in when when re installing the upgrade vista disc instead of orev???

P.S. this is for peeps who has the upgrade vista disc that we got liek 2-3 years ago

 

No. This question has been asked before. AFAIK, the magic jellybean only saves the product keys, not the activation certificate. You need both to be able to restore the activation. Also, if you just have the OEM product key, you cannot activate it at all (internet and phone both do not work with it).

 

great i just realized it that i have 3 days left for activation.. i used the windows upgrade disc and thought the magic jelly bean would activate it.. How can i fix this issue now?


Great, looks like i screwed up!!!

I did make a backup disc but i don't know if this will help the situation.

 

If you made the Recovery Discs you could restore them and then use ABR to backup activation, then reinstall and restore.

If you don't want to go through that, you could change your key to the one on your license sticker and then activate by phone.

 

i unzipped everything on recovery and put it on desktop.. now what? sorry im new to this


this is what the files look liek after unzip.


Uploaded with ImageShack.us


I am also restoring it like this


Uploaded with ImageShack.us



is this right?


Also when u say "reinstall and restore" are you talkign about re install my vista basic all over again after i do the abr (after backup is done)?



DL backup and ran ABR and got this msg


Uploaded with ImageShack.us

 

Sorry, I'm having trouble following here. Please follow the guide in the main post. What you're doing is nothing like what you should be doing.

I think you should just use the key on the license sticker and activate by phone. Otherwise yes, you will have to completely reinstall Vista.

 

I did exactly what you said.. load my backup and do the abr?

DL backup and ran ABR and got this msg


Uploaded with ImageShack.us

I do notice i only have one of the file the backup key i have but not the cert on my ABR folder

 

I didn't say "load a backup", I said to restore your computer using the Recovery Discs. If you do this it will reinstall Vista and all of your data will be deleted, so make sure you have a backup of your data. This will only work if you created the recovery discs before reinstalling your computer the last time. If you made any other type of system image using Windows complete PC backup, ghost, or something else, that will not work either. It MUST be the official Recovery Discs.

After yo use the Recovery discs you will be able to use ABR to backup your activation. Then you can reinstall Vista again using a clean reinstall disc, and then you can restore the activation. If you have more questions please read the main post for this thread, and also the original guide I wrote which is linked in my signature under "Clean Vista Install".

I also have no idea what files you are showing me in the screenshots where you unzipped something. Are those drivers or something? That would have nothing to do with reinstalling Vista or the activation.

 

Hi... I have bought a Thinkpad T410 with Windows 7 Professional (32 bit edition) pre-installed. I want to repartition my disk and upgrade my OS to Windows 7 Professional (64 bit). Does this procedure apply for my case too? Kindly say what would be the change in procedure, if any.