Vista clean Install without a vista DVD

For systems released prior to the release of Vista with SP1:

Vaio/ Any Notebook users if you have the hidden WAU folder in C:\Windows\sonysys or the directory C:\WAUUPGRD (thanks to terrorbite), you can do a clean install of vista.

Steps to check if your laptop is pre-configured for an upgrade (the presence of WAU contents)

1. Click start and then enter "windows anytime upgrade"
2. Go to windows anytime upgrade and then select the "upgrade to option".
3. Now in the "then upgrade option" it will be clearly stated whether your computer is pre-configured for an upgrade by the manufacturer. If it says so, then you can burn your own Vista install dvd using the method given below.
The above steps do not apply for a computer which already has a pre-installed version of windows vista ultimate running.

Steps to burn the vista install dvd (thanks to orev and seven11)

Click here http://www.vlite.net/download.html to download vlite software.
Open vlite.

1. Browse and select the folder WAU (c:\windows\sonysys\WAU)
2. Select your version of vista. (existing version of vista)
3. Click the ISO tab on the left pane.
3. In the preceding screen, under the general option, select the mode direct burn. You can also select create image and save the iso image file. Insert a blank dvd.
4. Click burn to start burning the iso image in the dvd. It will take a while for the whole process to complete. Your vista install disk/upgrade disk is ready for use.
5. Exit the program.

Make sure you burn the recovery dvd's before the clean install process.
Back up your personal data.

I had referred Scuderia's (Gary) clean install guide for the sony driver/software installation and Orev's(Clean install guide in HP section) method for activation of windows vista.

Clean install instructions:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=145748

Activation backup and restore instructions:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=120228

Enjoy your new clean system with zero bloatware.

 

thank you for the information...

isn't it easier just download the Vista from either emule or BT?

 

Hi Coolguy,

This is great news. Is it compulsory to use "Vlite" to create bootable Vista DVD ?. Can we use any other software (which comes with notebook) to make bootable Vista DVD from c:\windows\sonysys\WAU content ?

Thanks
Raj

 

No. You must use Vlite.

Gary

 

What prevents you from using vlite? You can also use other software if it works.

 

No piracy here.

 

Hi ,

Thanks for your inputs. The only reason why I ask that is that the "Vlite" is in Beta version.

Cheers
Raj

 

Did anyone try this method of clean install?

 

You did! ... big ol' grin...

Gary

 

Oh yeah! Gary - you are the biggest of the big ol' grin in vista clean install

 

Wow Great Discovery..

 

Hi,

this is my first post in a great forum I found just a little while ago.

I have a FZ240E/B but can't find the WAU folder in c:\windows\sonysys\

I of course enabled show hidden files and folders in the folder view options, but still no WAU folder. In fact, my sonysys folder has only 5.3MB..?

I bought my laptop 3 weeks ago at BestBuy. Anyone else has the same problem, has Sony deleted this folder for laptops sold through specific distribution channels, e.g. BestBuy?

coolguy, do you perhaps happen to have any idea why the WAU is missing on my Vaio?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

i have nr110e/s and i dont have a WAU folder in c:\windows\sonysys\ either...
i have vista premium...

 

I think that sony has different configuration options when sold through a retail seller. Still you can check if your computer is pre-configured for an upgrade.

Click Start > Windows Anytime Upgrade > Choose your edition
Under the upgrade option a message will display whether your laptop is pre-configured for Anytime Upgrade
If it says "you need an upgrade disk" then you will not have the WAU folder in your laptop.

 

I included some info about WAU.

 

just a suggestion... could you legally upload iso of the wua folder? i have fz190 and dont have that folder

 

No he can't, legaly. But are you SURE you don't have the folder? It is a hidden folder, so you'll have to set the explorer option to show hidden folders.

Gary

 

Ah yes! it is there..hidden.. sorry i thought i already had show hidden folders enabled..

So..has anybody tried this to confirm it works? if so, i might just give this a try over winter break (this way my college quarter is over and don't need to worry about messing up my laptop during finals week (THIS WEEK!) )

 

I am currently running a clean copy of vista home premium installed using the mentioned dvd without any problems.

 

I have an FZ18 there is no sonysys or wau folder (with show hidden files enabled)

I sthere any other way i can obtain a copy of windows i can use with my exsisting sony key

 

Do you have to actually see the WUA folder for this to work or will the message described in the OP "your computer has already been configured for the upgrade by the manufacturer" be the tell tale sign you can use this method?

Nevermind =( can't find the WUA folder with Vlite. When I search I get all sorts of WUAapp type files, but nothing that's just WUA.

 

If it is pre-configured, then you should have those set up files somewhere.

Search for setup.exe. The setup.exe in wau folder has the vista logo(something like the vista dvd).

 

I have a FZ240N and there is no WAU folder.

I already search for "setup.exe" and for "WAU" in entire hard drive with no good results.

Can you list some file names inside WUA folder, because setup.exe is very common.
More information like folder size, etc are welcome also.
So we can search for these files. As you said before, they must be somewhere.

I found a folder called winsxs (C:\Windows\winsxs) with 3.49GB, and some files that I think are the installationfiles, but vLite don't accept this folder as source.

Thanks,
Marcelo Barbosa

 

Did check whether ur computer is set up for an upgrade? (see the steps). If no, you might not have those files. Here is a pic showing the WAU contents.
http://forum.notebookreview.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=11305&d=1192063941

 

Yes, I checked in Windows Anytime Upgrade and I got this message: "You do not need to purchase a WAU disc, because your computer has already been configured for the upgrade by the manufacturer".
I guess this WAU folder comes only with Vista Home edition. My VAIO came with Business edition.

So, I found this very useful tutorial on Google and discovered this disc is sold for less then 10 bucks.

Link to buy: Windows Anytime Upgrade disc

But I'm in Brazil and they can't sell this directly to me. Only US addresses are allowed.

If anyone in US can buy this for me and send it to me here in Brazil, please, contact me: mbarbosa [at] gmail [dot] com
I can send the money or buy myself and ask to ship in someone's place.
This will be my santa's gift

Thanks,
Marcelo Barbosa

 

Then the set up files should/must be in your computer because those files include registry entries that tell windows about the upgrade status. The set up files contain all editions of vista. It is the product key, which determines the appropriate version that you are going to install. Do a comprehensive search in your computer for setup.exe. Another clue the size of the wau (or set up files) folder is 2.52 GB.

 

I search again but with no success. Look at printscreen of my search.

As I told before, I found this "winsxs" folder, but vLite don't accept as a valid folder to create the bootable disc.
The "oobe" folder is not valid for vLite too.

The only folder with more then 2GB is Windows, so I search inside this folder.

Well, if anyone in US with a good soul can buy this DVD and sendit to me here in Brazil, I will appreciate.
I can send the money or buy myself and ask to ship in someone's place.

Thanks,
Marcelo Barbosa

 

Marcelo,

Are you sure your search is set up to look in and for HIDDEN folders and files???

Gary

 

Gary,

Yes! Look at this printscreen.
You will see a checked checkbox in the up left corner.
"Include non-indexed, HIDDEN, and system files (might be slow)"

I'm already contact Microsoft Brasil asking if they can sell me a copy of Vista Business, since I already have a license. But they can't, and told me to contact Sony.
In my job we have many discs of Vista Business, but all in portuguese.
All I want is a Vista Business in english to make this clean installation.

Regards,
Marcelo Barbosa

 

Your print screen link doesn't work. That is why I had to ask in the first place.

Gary

 

I am unable to view your attachment. Please verify the link.

 

Sorry !!!

This link will work for sure: http://3b.com.br/vista/search-for-setup.jpg

Marcelo

 

I did a clean install and I am having those files too. So they are not the right ones. Now go ahead and search for the folders which you see in the picture I had attached earlier.

 

coolguy,

I look for those folders in your image since you post it.

All I want is find those files. I don't sleep searching for them.
I'm very sure they doesn't exist im my hard drive.

Thanks for all for colaboration.
I'll try another way to get one Vista Business install disc.

Regards,
Marcelo Barbosa

 

my set up search comes up the same as Mbarbosa's. My Set Up file only says Microsoft Corp, nothing at all about Vista. I tried searching for some of the other files in your screenshot, but none were found.

 

I don't know if anyone else noticed, because only yesterday I "noticed" a paragraph in the Windows Anytime Upgrade window which I haven't seen earlier, being so anxious to find the WAU folder on my FZ240E/B...

"You do not need to purchase a WAU disc, because your computer has already been configured for the upgrade by the manufacturer".

Yes, I get that same message, too.

But BEFORE that there is a paragraph - in fact it should not be possible to miss it if you are a careful reader...I know, in our age things tend to be overflown easily and I do not exclude myself here -saying that you FIRST should purchase an upgrade online.

So I guess even though you don't need a DVD to install an update, you definitely need to purchase "something" online first.

Might this be the reason why so many of us are missing the WAU folder? Or does buying "something" online first not have anything to do with finding the WAU folder because still, no disc is needed?

 

Maybe it has something to do with FZ-2xx models? I have a 290, you guys have 240s... maybe?

 

Upgrade license is required only if you want to upgrade. Sony included the WAU contents in some computers because if you buy an online license, then you can just use that product key to install the upgrade from within your computer's hard drive. But this is tweaked now to do a clean install of the existing version of vista.

 

FWIW my brand-new AR670 does not include the WAU files on the HDD either. I do, however, have the WAU DVD that came with my Toshiba notebook.

 

I'm sorry coolguy...I don't seem to understand what you exactly mean?

Are you saying that we should nevertheless have the WAU folder, because we don't need to buy the upgrade online and only (ab)use the pre-installed WAU folder, sort of "pretending" to do an upgrade even though we only do a clean install?

If we should indeed have the (hidden) folder, and some people here can't find it...then I guess we can safely assume that Sony did not include it in Notebooks sold through specific retail chains or models.

I bought my FZ240E/B (Vista Home Premium) at Best Buy..I guess you can't always win

 

I just wanted to say I got this to work on a VGN-SZ660N/C with Vista Business. At first I didn't read the message carefully and thought it didn't have the anytime upgrade already on the hard drive because I also saw that first paragraph talking about buying it online (it didn't dawn on me to continue reading past that). Especially since a couple others here seem to be having problems I didn't expect the odds were good.

But I then went into that exact folder mentioned (sonysys) and after enabling hidden folders, the WAU folder appeared and I was able to build and burn the image. I've almost finished installing the utilities and drivers and it's down from 86 processes (Sony stock) to 46 (Vista clean)...and having saved $7 or so from purchasing the Windows Anytime Upgrade DVD, I am not considering using the XP downgrade disc I ordered at this point because the notebook performs great now. Anyway, coolguy, thanks a bunch for posting about this.

 

I am glad that this method worked for you.

 

so this works? im going to do it..seriously... but i need to make sure it works since this is my laptop for school and have to make sure everything works okay!

 

If you are worried about this, then make an image of your C: drive before you start.

Gary

 

You don't need to worry. There is always an option of recovery if anything goes wrong somewhere during installation.

 

Try this to order the WUA disc for $7:

Go to: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/buyorupgrade/windowsanytimeupgrade/overview.mspx

Scroll down to "How it works" and click "Buy Now".

You should now be forwarded to the Microsoft site of your country where you can order a license and the wua disc.

Choose you Windows Version and after that you select to order the disc.

Now you see your Cart view where you can delete the Vista Business license so that you can just buy the upgrade disc.


This method worked for me so it should work for you too.

 

Guys, I've found where they moved the folder to!

Its C:/WAUUPGRD

(dunno if that's a hidden folder, but I assume so)

I found it by doing a search for a folder called Upgrade, which I know is contained on the sonysys/WAU folder.

I've not tried burning it using vlite yet, but the contents of the WAUUPGRD folder are identical to those in the screenshot coolguy posted

Edit: Burned fine with vLite.

 

My Swedish SZ6 also has the C:/WAUUPGRD folder. I am creating an image of it for burning as we speak. I might also make one with some tweaks done with vLite. I found some really nice settings.

After clean install will activation be a problem? How does that work?

 

American SZ680 here and no SonySys/WAU nor WAUUPGRD folder found. Did you guys do a semi clean install? I didn't allow launcher.exe to install all the trialware when I first got my system.