Clean Vista install WITH NO ACTIVATION

[flipfire]

yes, orev said it was vendor neutral, but it seems like everyone, but you, understood that it meant that it could be used on almost any make of laptop.... you make it seem like the next word brought up was legality, it wasn't.

It has nothing to do with the make of the laptop. You could do a clean install of vista on any computer if you wanted to. It was the activation i was talking about

orev likes information in this thread to be precise and correct/truthful. While I may not always agree w/ him when it comes to personal opinions on products, etc, he would never have developed the abr tool if he didn't believe it was completely legal. And I agree with him. Since he started this thread and developed the tool, I think we should all refrain from making rash, unfounded statements about it's legality.

I never said it was illegal. I wouldnt have done his method myself if it was, and id do it all again if i wanted to. Im not trying to reduce the credibility of his guide either.

Im just wondering what Microsoft thinks of it. I know orev said OEM's like HP use the same activation method as ABR. Maybe they use that method cause Microsoft allows large companies to do so to save time. As for individuals, im sure they want us to activate either on the phone or online. I guess well find out if it fails to activate after the latest patches have been installed

I'm not flaming you flipfire, just stating the facts as I see them............

Its okay i dont feel flamed

[bluefalcn]

After downloading the digital river files and downloading cd image 2.52, I extracted the file, opened the command prompt, and copied and pasted the following: cdimage.exe -lVISTA_EN_DVD -m -u2 -bC:\Vista\boot\etfsboot.com C:\Vista\ C:\Vistax86.iso. After I pasted this in the command prompt, I get an error that says it's not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file.

Can anyone help me with this issue?
Thanks

[orev]

After downloading the digital river files and downloading cd image 2.52, I extracted the file, opened the command prompt, and copied and pasted the following: cdimage.exe -lVISTA_EN_DVD -m -u2 -bC:\Vista\boot\etfsboot.com C:\Vista\ C:\Vistax86.iso. After I pasted this in the command prompt, I get an error that says it's not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file.

Can anyone help me with this issue?
Thanks

You need to put the cdimage.exe file in the same place that the command prompt is open to. The prompt in the commend prompt will tell you where it is (like C:\windows\system32). If you go there from my computer you can put the file in there.

Otherwise, you can put the cdimage.exe file in C:\, then in the command line, type "C:\cdimage.exe".

If that doesn't work, I would try the vLite instructions, with which you can avoid using the command prompt.

[radopod]

Not to break your heart bluefalcn I tried this method two times and it never worked. You might have to order those WAU DVDs to be sure that this works!

[ford7379trucks]

i never got my anytime dvds from microsoft i ordered a 32 and 64 bit dvds
they charged my card i ordered the 32bit on 2/7 and the 64bit on 2/17 after i read i could install 64 bit home premium on my oem key. now windows dosent offer these disks anymore. they better send my dvds this sucks. any one have a 64bit for sale

[radopod]

No 64 only 32 here! And yes you are right, Microsoft has indeed stopped selling those WAU DVDs.

[orev]

Not to break your heart bluefalcn I tried this method two times and it never worked. You might have to order those WAU DVDs to be sure that this works!

Which part of it failed for you? Was there an error on the install.wim file? That seems to be the most common problem.

[radopod]

I don't exactly know what happened. The installation mysteriously showed up an error after installing 12%. Don't know why!

[orev]

I think the problems during installation (with the install.wim file) are because the download got cut off somehow and you didn't get the whole file. I have updated the guide with the file sizes that you should have if you get them from digital river, so before you burn the disc, verify the file sizes. They should be the same down to the very last byte.

[zukiki]

After doing a smooth clean install on my dv9700t CTO, following Orev's guide, I did the same on my just delivered Sony Vaio VGN-FZ 4000 CTO. This ABR program is a real blessing. I will say it repeatedly for ever (well, I am an old man).
For the Sony I also had to take into account the very helpful guide offered by ScuderiaConchiglia on the Sony part of this Forum.
I will post a reply on his guide because the sequence for the FZ4000 is slightly different from his guide which applies for the FZ190.

Thanks again to Orev and ScuderiaConchiglia.