Fresh Installs

Alright, so I'm buying a new laptop soon.

However, most laptop companies will include a pile of junk applications pre-installed onto Vista or whatever. However, Vista will most likely be installed already when the laptop arrives new, and I doubt the laptop companies send a Vista installation CD/disk with the new laptop.

My questions is how do I do a clean install of Vista without a CD?

 

you cant.....

you need to get a hold of ANY sort of vista install disc. Manufacturers want you to use and be stuck with the bloat/crapware

 

Well, I use the recovery cd that comes with my laptop to do a clean install

 

haOkepa, Could you explain how that works please?

Also, would I be able to at least find the serial number of the Vista that comes with the computer? If I'm somehow able to get a Vista CD from a friend, would it be "legal" to use that CD with my serial number to install Vista?

 

Which laptop will you buy? Most companies provide a restore disk, but that disk merely returns the laptop to the original configuration, junk and all. Dell provided me with a Vista Ultimate install disk, not a restore disk (Dell's ship with a restore partition instead), so I was able to wipe and install clean.

Your key may or may not work with your friend's copy of Vista. The key is a volume OEM key, which doesn't work with a retail copy of Vista.

To use a restore disk, put it in the DVD drive and boot from the DVD.

 

Recovery CD's return your notebook to factory state which includes the bloatwares

Yes its legal aslong as you use activate it with the key in the bottom of your notebook

 

I'll either be getting a Dell XPS or a Lenovo T61(p)

Do these come with install CDs/disks?

 

they only come with recovery disks.

you will need to get a hold of a real vista install disc elsewhere

 

The Dell recovery disks only restore the OS. They usually include a drivers and extra software CD too. Your key will be located on your COA which they will put on the bottom of the laptop. But if you did want to use your friends Vista disk and your key that will work too.

 

Hmmm, I find it odd that Dell will ship an install DVD with my Inspiron, but not with the XPS. I guess things have changed in the last few months. Each system is different, and I've found that a simple request can get an install disk included. All one can do is ask - the worst they'll say is no.

Regarding the key - I reiterate that a retail disk won't work with a volume OEM key. Before wiping it's vitally important to do a test to make sure the key will work.

 

I got the OS disk with my last two XPS laptops. I didn't get it for a Dell desktop but I already had a Vista OS disk and it accepted the key fine.

 

Hello,

Please take a look at my clean install guide. It explains everything, including how to get a DVD suitable for installing and also how to backup and restore your license key and activation without having to call Microsoft.

 

your comments are very funny and wrong! I do not know how is it in Australia, but I have had 3 DELL laptops and all of them had clean reinstallation CD/DVD's with absolutely no bloatware in. THEY ARE CLEAN REINSTALLATION OS DISCS.

 

Know your facts before you start flaming someone.

The fact is the every manufacturer does things differently. Some ship OS install discs, others only ship recovery discs that include the bloatware. Even is "last time you bought something" it came with some kind of disc, that does not mean it will now. The market is always changing and companies change what they do.

For what it's worth, Dell seems to be one of the better companies about this, but most other OEMs do NOT ship OS install discs, only recovery discs.

 

Actually most or even nearly all notebook manufacturers worldwide have stopped giving out OS Vista disks. Where have you been in the last year?

People have been complaining and struggling getting a hold of a Vista disc. They do not like the recovery cd's with bloatware.

Theres are exceptions though. EG. some business range notebooks come with the Vista install disc in the box. Also some manufactuers will give you an option to include it on custom orders for a fee.

 

Ha-ha! Dude, I know my facts very well!!! And part of the reason that I am in this forum today is I am reinstalling Vista on two laptops at this very moment(one is Dell Vostro 1500 and the other is Dell XPS M1530 that I bought this week). These are my 4th and 5th Dell latops. Now, you may say: "oh you are stuck with dell laptops", and I say, yes, but Dell is the number one in the US and perhaps in top 3 PC makers in the World, and when you guys say: "Oh, ALL the laptops have recovery discs with bloatware" then I really and strongly suggest you to take it easy, and don't use the word "ALL"! This is my fact! Again ALL Dell PCs (even the ones you buy from dealer stores) do have CLEAN, Bloatwarefree Reinstallation/Recovery CDs/DVDs!

 

We are talking about Vista OS install disc

your talking about Recovery CD's which do come with ALL notebooks.

So tell me.. why are you in the bloatware removal guide in the dell section?

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=157838

 

Ok, what don't you get? The recovery disk that comes with Dell computers is the OS! It doesn't contain ANY other programs. The guide proves you wrong actually. Here is a picture of the DVD. Notice how it says it doesn't install programs or drivers.

 

Vista install disc.

what you posted is a recovery disk. Obviously theres an OS in there which restores your notebook to factory state.