Clean Vista install WITH NO ACTIVATION

[TexanAviator]

I am not aware of any legal "downloadable" disks online. Illegal "downloadable" disks cannot be discussed here.

Yeah... I thought I saw someone talking about a place where you could download the media of it.... I thought it was from HP directly but I can't find it. Maybe cause I don't have my serial number yet to log onto that part.

[Autobot032]

I am not aware of any legal "downloadable" disks online. Illegal "downloadable" disks cannot be discussed here.

I believe he's talking about the download links that Microsoft had offered through a third party earlier this year. Digital River or something? (I can't remember the name off hand, but it was something to that effect, I believe.)

Those downloads do work with this guide, but last I heard, they had been shut down. (anyone confirm?)

At this point, I think an Anytime Upgrade disc would be his best bet, and probably the most affordable option as well.

[deeastman]

I believe he's talking about the download links that Microsoft had offered through a third party earlier this year. Digital River or something? (I can't remember the name off hand, but it was something to that effect, I believe.)

Those downloads do work with this guide, but last I heard, they had been shut down. (anyone confirm?)

Yes, the ability to download the software from Digital River and create your own Anytime Upgrade Disks has long been disabled.

At this point, I think an Anytime Upgrade disc would be his best bet, and probably the most affordable option as well.

You can't order the Anytime Upgrade Disk anymore (at least from Microsoft) even though you might still see a link to be able to do so. The link or calling Microsoft to order eventually leads to your finding out that the disk is no longer available.

As the guide mentions though there are alternatives such as borrowing a OEM or Retail copy of Vista from a friend and use that copy with your OEM S/N or Vista S/N on the bottom of your notebook to perform the clean install.

[Autobot032]

Yeah... I thought I saw someone talking about a place where you could download the media of it.... I thought it was from HP directly but I can't find it. Maybe cause I don't have my serial number yet to log onto that part.

Working Legal Vista Download Links (Nice Try, but you still need a key!) This thread mentions the download links, but according to the first post (which I believe was updated) they're no longer functioning.

But to answer your question, it was confirmed that those downloads work with this guide.

Yes, the ability to download the software from Digital River and create your own Anytime Upgrade Disks has long been disabled.



You can't order the Anytime Upgrade Disk anymore (at least from Microsoft) even though you might still see a link to be able to do so. The link or calling Microsoft to order eventually leads to your finding out that the disk is no longer available.

Ah. I need to refresh the page before responding, more often. lol

Thank you for the heads up on the links being dead.

About the Anytime Upgrade disc, someone had mentioned being able to buy it on eBay, and they were right, here you go folks: http://search.ebay.com/search/search...ty=MetaEndSort

Some at $7.00, current bid, all the way up to $20.00 buy it now.

Affordable option, compared to what they charge in the stores.

[TexanAviator]

So would this work to reinstall 64 bit Ultimate on my system?

http://cgi.ebay.com/Microsoft-Window...QQcmdZViewItem

[deeastman]

So would this work to reinstall 64 bit Ultimate on my system?

http://cgi.ebay.com/Microsoft-Window...QQcmdZViewItem

NO! There is a 32-bit version and a 64-bit version. 32-bit and 64-bit do not come on the same disk.

If you read down further in that Ad you will see the following:

"Microsoft Windows Anytime Upgrade DVD-Rom (32-bit)"

If it said 64-bit, then YES.

I am assuming that you ordered 64-bit Ultimate on your new notebook. i.e. you cannot upgrade from say Premium to Ultimate using the Vista or OEM S/N on your notebook.

[TexanAviator]

FYI...

Just got in contact with a seller who has the copies of the disks. $10.00 shipped

PM if you want their info, not sure if it is against the rules to put a direct link to them or not.

[deeastman]

FYI...

Just got in contact with a seller who has the copies of the disks. $10.00 shipped

PM if you want their info, not sure if it is against the rules to put a direct link to them or not.

I wouldn't put a link to them. It's not legal to sell and distribute copies of those disks. The seller is taking quite a chance, I wouldn't want to be the one who Microsoft decides to make an example of.

I also have legally made copies of those disks from when you could download them from Digital River but I can't distribute them. I would let someone use them if they were near to me though.

[mason_721]

Why don't you just buy the discs from HP for $16 dollars? Isn't that much easier? You get one disc with the OS on it, and another with all the bloatware

[deeastman]

Why don't you just buy the discs from HP for $16 dollars? Isn't that much easier? You get one disc with the OS on it, and another with all the bloatware

That is what HP has been telling some customers when they order the Recovery Disks but what you receive is not what you think.

You can't install just the OS without installing the data on the Bloatware disk. All the disks must be used together as a set.

Read my post a few posts back about the experience of another (who posted in this forum) who ordered and received those disks.

Have you personally ordered the Recovery Disks and have additional first hand information? I am sure it would be most informative to others if you have.