reinstalling windows vista question

hi i just recently upgraded from windows vista. however i installed something and it messed up my o/s so now im considering a clean install. the questions are 1) can i do a clean install using the upgrade disk dell gave me? 2) after i reinstall everything can i validate my windows because i read somewhere that you can only install vista only once? and after that you will have to purchase the operating system again......thanks for your help.

 

yes you can reinstall your Vista and validate it again. you can only install your genuine vista only on a single computer. it doesn't matter how many times you reinstall your vista as long as it is on the single computer that comes with it.

 

^^ is correct.

However, I haven't seen anyone use a Dell OEM disc to do this, you might be the first. There is "upgrade" full install trick that is widely known, however as i mentioned, i haven't seen it done with an OEM upgrade disc.

You should probably mention if you're successful here as it may help some others.

Also when he says "it doesn't matter how many times you reinstall your vista as long as it is on the single computer that comes with it." he's refering to the fact it's OEM. Being that it's OEM ties it to a single motherboard (ie: the computer it's installed to). This makes it non-transferable to other PC's and you can not get support from MS, but only from Dell.

 

From vista or to vista?????

if you cannot reinstall your vista using the "upgrade" disk then you have no choice but to go the long route... install xp and upgrade to vista...

 

Not true. You had it right the first time

There is a well known "trick" to installing fresh from an upgrade disc. However, as i mentioned, i have not seen this done from an OEM disc.

 

I have a hard time imagining that it would NOT work, but even if you did screw it up just give Dell a call and make them fix it.

 

It's really not that hard to imagine, as it isn't the same procedure used to install a fresh OS.

 

ok. i don't know if this is the trick you are talking about but here's what i found... the following site shows how to clean install vista using upgrade disk.

http://www.bit-tech.net/news/2007/01/31/clean_install_vista_with_upgrade_dvd_via_loophole/

http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/winvista_upgrade_clean.asp

i like the instruction of the latter site.

 

Oh and btw: I just copied pasted this from somewhere else. But this little "trick" is pretty widely known.

1) Install Vista without the key provided. Choose whatever edition you want at this stage, it really doesn't matter.

2) When the Step 1 install is finished and running, Install Vista again on top of itself and this time use the key - that will install the edition you paid for/got for free/are entitled to/etc and treat the installation from Step 1 as the "upgradeable" OS.

3) When the Step 2 install is done, you'll have the legitimate Vista edition installed, ready for activation which I strongly suggest holding off on for as long as you can, even 29 days if possible or at least till you're 100% certain everything works across the board. You'll also have a folder in the root directory called windows.old which is the Step 1 installation and as long as the Step 2 install is up, running, and working, you can delete that windows.old folder without issues.

 

I didn't read them, but i'm sure they are correct. I think you were just mis-informed on your second post, cause you had it right the first time around

I'm sure those links will be helpful for everyone else.

Again, he may be the first confirmation of OEM "upgrade" discs, so i hold my breath.

 

The "trick" for a clean install is only necessary if you are going from XP (or a new HD) to Vista. Once you have Vista on your machine it's really easy to do a clean full reinstall.

While in Vista, insert your Vista Upgrade CD. Run setup.exe

When prompted, enter your product key.

You will be given the option of an Upgrade or Clean Install - Choose Clean Install.

You then choose which HD partition you want to install Vista on. You also have the option of formatting that partition. I prefer to format because that way I know that everything is clean (I keep all of my data on another partition) and it is much faster this way (vista doesn't copy all of the old files into a windows.old folder it just erases them).

I have found that doing a complete clean reinstall of Vista to be very easy and (almost) painless.

**I probably need to add that I have only done this using a Dell OEM Vista Express Upgrade DVD. It may or may not work with a retail upgrade or other OEM Express Upgrade media.

 

i can confirm that the reinstallation went smoothly.