Vista Clean Install with offline OEM activation

Give a try to the "ABR" utility in linked to in the clean install guide in my sig. That should let you backup the oemcert without having to download it from anywhere.

Please let me know if it works for you! Thanks

 

Can people who did a clean install comment on how many processes they had running after installing all the drivers and all your programs.

 

A clean install of Vista ultimate 32 bit has a bout 45 processes running

 

I keep getting a windows script host error.

It says

"Run 'slui.exe 0x2a 0x4c' to display the error
Error: 0x4c:

Anybody know what this is? I went to the OEMBIOS Repository to download the file. I need some serious help with this

NM: I finally got it. It was because I created a user account.

 

A few questions for those who might know...

1) Is the file "lenovo.oemcert.100036.xrm-ms" valid for ***ALL*** Lenovo systems, specifically, will it work for a clean install on the NEW Lenovo X61 Tablet?

1) If I do a clean install on the X61 how does this affect the hidden R-N-R partition. I am assuming it will remain intact unless you re-partition/re-format the entire drive correct? Keeping it intact might be a good idea, no???

2) What files, if any, (Drivers, Software...etc...) should be backed up off the original pre-load hard drive before doing a clean install. In other words, is there anything that you CAN'T get back that you might need/want if you clean install unless you back it up or is it all available on Lenovo's website?

Any other information specific to a clean install on a Lenovo X61 Tablet would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance...

 

1. It is global and will work for all systems. Microsoft can't just issue a new certificate everytime a company releases a new model.

2. Yes it will remain intact. And keeping it is just a matter of preference, some people want the added reassurance that if something happens with their new install they can quickly recover even if they don't carry the recovery discs or the original os media with them.

3. Everything that is important and lies on the recovery partition can be found in Lenovo's website, and it will most likely be at a newer version. Don't use old software, drivers etc from the recovery partition. So in short, you don't really need to keep anything.

Note1: Some 3rd party bloatware (like google desktop) won't be downloadable from Lenovo. I supposed nobody needs the bloatware and even if you do you can get it from the creator of it.
Note2: The Lenovo wallpapers can only be found on the recovery partition. If you need them back them up!

 

If anyone needs a 64bit anytime upgrade I have 2 extra sealed. PM Me

 

Sorry, probably I misunderstood something or just my poor English.. but with me Magical Jelly Bean Keyfinder reports the same OEM product key as the one from the sticker under my lap top.. Should I just key in that?

I should probably add here that I go for clean install because my new ThinkPad came with Vista Business 32 in English (which I payed extra 90euro for) but (obviously) improperly installed over the factory preinstalled German version. That causes lots of incenveniances (twise calling Microsoft for activation.., the system does not remember my settings, Password Manager makes multipe entries for ane and the same PW, etc)
Now I am expecting CDs sent from the shop with the English version which I intend to use for my clean install. I guess the hidden partition keeps the original German version which is of no use for me at all. Am I right?

Any suggestion what is the best approach in this case? Thanks in advance.

 

Because they did a manual installation on top of the already installed OEM version, the method described here will not work for you. Even though you have an OEM version, it is not the right kind of OEM that will benefit from this procedure.

 

Thanks a lot orev for the prompt reply.
If am getting you right - I will still have to format C, install whatever they have sent, key in the OEM product key from the sticker under the laptop (or the key that will come together with CDs..??) and I can not avoid callig Microsoft for the activation again, right?
Thank you.

 

Yes, you will have to install the "usual" way. Use the key on the laptop sticker and then call or activate online (probably online won't work). I'm not sure if they will send you a new key with the CDs. If they do, it will be difficult to know where/how to use that key. It might work as a new license, but it might also be linked only to Lenovo computers.

 

I just went through this today and lost. The answer today was no although I think depends on who you talk to. A detailed desscription is provided in the thread called, "Vista 64 bits?"


I was bounced around in MS twice. The first was a converstation with an Indian who beleived the vista 32 and 64 requires different product keys. They don't. The product key on the bottom of your machine is not an algorthmically correct product key. It will not work.

The second person I talked to was US Customer support and they understood the problem and said "If lenovo has given you an invalid key, it is up to them to supply you with a valid key."


Lenovo's postition was that they would be happy to send me a 32 bit installation dvd with a Key in it BUT I am already running a 64 bit system and although I have backups I don't think there's any way to get to that key.

Fortunately I had access to another valid key and used that to activate. If I had not... I think my only choice would have been to stay at 32 bits because Lenovo will not suppy a 64 bit disk since I purchased a 32 bit OS.

 

I just went through this today and lost. The answer today was no although I think depends on who you talk to. A detailed desscription is provided in the thread called, "Vista 64 bits?"


I was bounced around in MS twice. The first was a converstation with an Indian who beleived the vista 32 and 64 requires different product keys. They don't. The product key on the bottom of your machine is not an algorthmically correct product key. It will not work.

The second person I talked to was US Customer support and they understood the problem and said "If lenovo has given you an invalid key, it is up to them to supply you with a valid key."


Lenovo's postition was that they would be happy to send me a 32 bit installation dvd with a Key in it BUT I am already running a 64 bit system and although I have backups I don't think there's any way to get to that key.

Fortunately I had access to another valid key and used that to activate. If I had not... I think my only choice would have been to stay at 32 bits because Lenovo will not suppy a 64 bit disk since I purchased a 32 bit OS.

Still others have reported no problems in talking to Ms. I think it's the luck of the draw.

In going from 32 bit to 64 bits the key backup and recovery methof did not work for me and the only other person that I've talked going from 32 to 64 bits reported the same thing.

 

Exactly, and thank you very much indeed - very kind.

Then in the latter case - if like you said 'linked to Lenovo computers' - the Step 2 from stallen's guide dealing with further installation of: Intel Chipset Driver/INF Update Utility, Matrix Storage Manager Driver, Lenovo drivers, etc. would be skipped. Otherwise is inevitable. True?
Cheers

 

I can say for a fact that the product keys for 32bit will work on 64bit and vice-versa. There is nothing in the product key that binds it to 32bit/64bit. If you ask that, they will not tell you because they don't know, or they are told differently just because giving the correct answer will cause many more support headaches than they want to deal with.

You should not have had to use another key to activate. The one on your laptop will activate, but only over the phone. The only other issue is that you need to install the same version of Vista you have a license for, it will not work if you bought the system with 32bit Home Premium and then installed 64bit Ultimate.

 

So the Vista Product Key on the bottom of laptop is useless??

 

No, it's perfectly useful. You can use it to install, but you will have to call Microsoft to activate. Using the other methods described here, you don't have to call to activate.

 

Ok, good. But I guess that I ahve to find my OEM DVD. I have 2 machines running Vista Business, one is a retail DVD and this one from my T60. But during my ofice move all of my media seems to ahve disappeared so I guess I need to contact Lenovo for a replacement media

 

Go to www.windowsanytimeupgrade.com and get the disc for 7 bucks.

 

But can I use the key on my laptop with that disk?
Also When I go there I don't see an option for media, just the upgrade to Ultimate for $139.

 

Please see the clean install guide in my sig. It will answer all of your questions.

 

Or you can use stallens clean install guide. it is very thorough and complete as well as easy to follow. It should answer all these questions even how to activate without calling or doing it online.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=144783

heres a link to get the disk

https://na.windowsanytimeupgradestore.com/WAU_DIRECT/Purchase.aspx

 

*cough*imtheoriginalauthoroftheguideandstallendidagreatjobofmodifyingandexpandingittobelenovospecific*cough*

 

I knew there must have been a reason why it was so well done.

 

No work for me i get the messag that the License file successfully installed but the status still says 30 Days to activate...

 

doesnt work for me

TP W500

slmgr -ilc went smoothly

then when I did

slmgr -ato it gave out error messages.




can anyone here help? thanx

 

Hi, I just purchased a Lenovo U330 and there are absolutely no disks included with the computer. However, I do have reinstallation disks for Vista from a previous Dell computer. Can I use these to do a clean install on my new Lenovo, and if not where can I find a Vista disk I can use?

Thanks in advance.