Clean Install Guide (works for 32-bit or 64-bit)

[orev]

Originally Posted by johnnyt76

hi there!

1st post and 1st problem...but i guess that's quite normal.

followed the guide step by step and do have a clean install now. used the abr tool as described and got the two sufficient files on my usb stick. problem is even though using the activation_restore tells me different:



my copy doesn't seem to be activated. still tells me I'll have 30 days left to activate... any ideas? and no i've only installed the version i got delivered with my x61s...

thanks in advance!

regards

JohnnyT

A few things to try:
- Make sure you close and re-open the control panel that shows you the activation.
- Try to reboot the computer
- Did you type in any serial number during the install?
- Did you run the activation_backup program when the system had the default factory install of windows on it?

[johnnyt76]

clear positive to your first two questions.

I didn't type in any serial number as it wasn't mentioned in your guide. Yep, system had the out of the box config plus some extra programs on it. But they shouldn't mix with the vista reg, shouldn't they?

I don't really have any idea what went wrong. Even did a reinstall just to make sure i didn't choose the wrong vista version...

Any other ideas?

Thanx

JohhnyT

[stallen]

Here are a couple other options for activating Vista:

PLAN B
Download "68351C09 lenovo.oemcert.100036.xrm-ms"
Here: http://oembios.net/%5Cfilesets%5C68351C09.rar

It is a .rar file so you will need to use winrar to extract the file (winrar is a free utility you will need to download and install). After downloading and installing winrar, REBOOT. Then just right click on the file and select "extract here". Take the extracted file and place it on a USB drive.

You will have to re-install Vista again. During installation type in the serial number that is in the text file created by ABR.

After Vista installation has completed, place the lenovo.oemcert.100036.xrm-ms (extracted file) in C:\

Now click on the Vista Orb (Start Button) and type: "cmd" (without the quotation marks) -> right click cmd.exe -> select "run as administrator".

Type in: "slmgr –ilc path/to/licence/file/lenovo.oemcert.100036.xrm-ms" (without the quotation marks)

Then type: "slmgr –ato" (without the quotation marks)

That should do it. REBOOT- You should be activated.

If "Plan B" doesn't work...

PLAN C
Install Vista again. During install insert the key that is located on the product sticker. AND, check the box that says "automatically activate online".

After installation is complete, follow the activation instructions outlined by Microsoft (Quote from Microsoft: "Note: If you select the automatic activation method when you set up the computer, the automatic activation process tries to activate your copy of Windows Vista three days after you first log on.")

You should be activated in three days after following Microsoft's instructions for activating Vista. On the fourth day, check your activation, if you are not activated call Microsoft for phone activation at (800) MICROSOFT (642-7676).


.

[orev]

Look in the backup files on your flash drive with ABR. backup-key.txt and the other one. Are they empty? If not, can you PM the first group of digits in the backup-key.txt file? Did you happen to open them to see what was inside before?

[johnnyt76]

thanks a lot for your support!

@stallen:

first of all, did a recovery to delivery state now. just to make sure i did everything right. after reinstall first thing i did backing up the keys with abr. had a look in the backup-key.txt and it's exactly the same as before...

to answer your questions...

i'm pretty sure i had the check boxes right. i used the Windows Anytime Upgrade DVD directly purchased from Microsoft over here. if you x out the vista version at the end of purchase you'll get the upgrade dvd delivered for 3,57 €. i own a vista business version.

my machine is a x61s (7666 36G).

as soon as my 64bit dvd is delivered i'm gonna try a new clean reinstall and tell you if it works now.

@orev: nope, they weren't empty. you've got a pm.

thanx a lot to you all!

greetz

JohnnyT

[Tim]

How long did you guys have to wait to get your Vista CD from CompUSA if you ordered through them? Mine was shipped last Friday but it still hasn't arrived. -_- I am starting to wonder if I should be concerned.
Tim

[ArchAngle]

Originally Posted by Tim

How long did you guys have to wait to get your Vista CD from CompUSA if you ordered through them? Mine was shipped last Friday but it still hasn't arrived. -_- I am starting to wonder if I should be concerned.
Tim

I ordered mine from CompUSA last Wed week (Sept 12th), it shipped on the Friday (14th), and still not here. Can't track it either.

Was hoping to get disc by this w/e so as to do clean install, etc.

[johnnyt76]

hey guys!

me again!

actually i got pretty sick of all the installing within the last two days. thought just to be sure to start back right from the scratch. so i did a recovery install, created the abr files first thing, started a clean install again, ran the activation_restore.exe file again, let it do its tricks and TATA...

not activated!

I don't have any idea what's going wrong besides that ms might have put up a barrier for doing this?

now i'm gonna wait for my vista 64bit dvd and try a clean one with plan b stallen suggested...

or anybody havin any idea?

thanx!

regards

JohnnyT

[stallen]

Originally Posted by johnnyt76

hey guys!

me again!

actually i got pretty sick of all the installing within the last two days. thought just to be sure to start back right from the scratch. so i did a recovery install, created the abr files first thing, started a clean install again, ran the activation_restore.exe file again, let it do its tricks and TATA...

not activated!

I don't have any idea what's going wrong besides that ms might have put up a barrier for doing this?

now i'm gonna wait for my vista 64bit dvd and try a clean one with plan b stallen suggested...

or anybody havin any idea?

thanx!

regards

JohnnyT

It seems strange this isn't working for you. I don't think Microsoft can put a block on the utility. I mean, we are all using the same installation disks. AND, applying the ABR restore BEFORE Windows update installs anything that could block it, right? Hmmm

Orev, created the ABR utility. Hopefully you will provide him with any information he requests from you so he can update the utility.

If plan B doesn't work for you, the last suggestion I have for you is called.... you guessed it.... "plan C". Use the keycode on the sticker on the bottom of the laptop during Vista installation. Select to automatically activate online during Vista installation. Auto online activation most likely will not work so you will have to call Microsoft for activation.

[hypertrophy]

Originally Posted by eyecon82

Stallen,

what are these update modules for in the thinkvantage upgrade managers? why is thinkpad update making us download these? shouldn't these be taken care of by the windows update?

the reason why im asking is because i finally figured out how to not create any problems . I've noticed many problems occur becuase thinkvantage update and windows update conflict, often resulting in multiple drivers being installed for the same hardware; i think that is the root of all problems related to thinkpads.

so i was curious about if anyone knows what these 'vista update modules' are...thanks

I believe stallen's vision for this thread was to allow users to clean install their systems without having to install the "unnecessary" Thinkvantage utilities, which in most cases, like the Power Manager utility, conflict with Vista itself. The Thinkvantage Systems Update would fall into that category if you are following this guide to a "t," and are manually installing all the utilities and drivers yourself through the Thinkpad driver matrix page.