Clean Vista install WITH NO ACTIVATION

[Bird333]

I just wanted to say thanks for this guide! I upgraded to Ultimate that I had bought but your guide allowed be to install my quick play buttons and software and backup my clean install for the future. Laptop companies should make it easy to get rid of all the crap on the laptop. Good work and thanks again! Also, add some rep for you.

[orev]

This is similar to dtwn83's earlier post and I would just like some clarification......

When I built my desktop rig here, I was able to go to the computer store @ my University and obtain a 32bit Vista Ultimate disc on the cheap.

I know Vista Discs have all versions of Vista on them, but my question is this.....can I use this disc (and the associated Product Key) to perform a clean install of Vista Home Premium (the OS my lappy will be running) ?? Reading through the instructions on the very first page.....it says to enter the product key for the version I purchased.....so I'm thinking 'No', but I'd just like some verification on that

It says to make sure you choose to install the same version you purchased... that's not related to entering the product key. If you are going to be using ABR, then you can skip entering the product key during the initial installation.

As for the disc, yes, you should be able to use it. That is what is meant by "all discs contain all versions". However, if it does not ask you what version to install, you may need to modify the Vista disc so it will ask you. Take a look at the instructions for modifying the Dell disk for ideas on how to do this.

[Huskerz85]

It says to make sure you choose to install the same version you purchased... that's not related to entering the product key. If you are going to be using ABR, then you can skip entering the product key during the initial installation.

As for the disc, yes, you should be able to use it. That is what is meant by "all discs contain all versions". However, if it does not ask you what version to install, you may need to modify the Vista disc so it will ask you. Take a look at the instructions for modifying the Dell disk for ideas on how to do this.

Thanks for clearing that up for me then

[PaulBNZ]

Hi,

I have got most of the way through this guide on my HP DV5-1005tx.

I borrowed a Dell 32 bit Vista disc and made my own bootable version with vLite (incl. WAIK etc) and that seemed to go fine.

I made the Recovery Discs, followed the ABR process and backed up the SwSetup file on DVD.

When I began the clean install everything seemed to go fine. I followed the steps exactly as per Orev's guid and everything was great. I re-partitioned the hard drive to allow a 25GB partition for Windows and the rest for my own use.

The installation process has completed, copying windows files, expanding files, installing features and installing updates before restarting. At this reboot it said something about please wait while Vista boots for the first time and then goes back to the completing installation title. At this point it seems to be idle and doesn't appear to continue with anything even though I have left it for quite a while. The progress bar appears to be stationary too.

Is this normal? Can anyone tell me if this is right or if I have mucked something up or else if I'm just being impatient?

Cheers,

Paul

[PaulBNZ]

I just found someone had the same problem customizing their Dell Business disc to create a Vista Installation Disc earlier on in this thread. If anyone has a solution for using a Dell disc in this way please let me know as I would really like to peform a clean install and start from scratch!

Cheers

[kevinf]

where is the best place to get a vista anytime upgrade disc. can anyone provide a link. nobody seems to sell them anymore on ebay.

[POH]

where is the best place to get a vista anytime upgrade disc. can anyone provide a link. nobody seems to sell them anymore on ebay.

The Anytime discs were discontinued, I believe, Look on eBay, though. I say on there two weeks ago.

[kevinf]

i just search by entering "vista anytime upgrade disc" and nothing came up

[POH]

You need to look a little more:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=320326326820

[kevinf]

i saw that but wasn't sure if it is a 64 bit disc or 32 bit disc. i need the 64 bit version