Windows Vista problem

HereToday

Correction: The image to which I linked is actually the VISTA Recovery DVD, as opposed to the common or Garden Windows Vista with Service Pack 2 (x86) - DVD (English).

So just install from Boot, choose Custom Install > Drive Options(advanced), delete the relevant partitions(usually the first two) and install to the Unallocated Space.



Will be no need to enter a Product Key if the machine came with VISTA preinstalled in the first place.

Johnmcl7

spud17 wrote: »

IIRC any 32bit Vista disk contains the various versions (perhaps not Business).
Entering the key early in the process selects the correct version.

Sort of - from what I remember, the standard retail and OEM Vista media (not manufacturer ones) did have all the Vista versions (retail I think had 32/64-bit together, OEM didn't) bar Enterprise and gave you either the choice to enter the product key so the installer would install the correct version or you could select it manually.

The manufacturer Vista OS install discs were for one version of Vista only as well as having their own drivers and other customisations although from what I remember would still work if you matched up the versions.

I have a standard Vista install DVD which I've used for OEM rebuilds for a while so I may not be remembering the exact intricacies of the different versions correctly.

John

NiftyDigits

50Twuncle wrote: »

I have been asked to sort out a friends Vista premium powered Laptop and was considering rebuilding it - however the owner has no Operating System back up software (and I am unsure about a rebuild partition)


I have used Win 7 downloaded from Digital River in the past on my own laptop (I understand that Win 7 licences allowed the installation of "ANY" sourced software as long as the correct licence key was help) - is this the same with Vista (ie Can I use
any copy of Vista home premium software to install Vista on the laptop) ?
Before anyone advises me to upgrade to Win 7 / 8 - this is not an option - £'s !!

An update would be good.

50Twuncle

spud17 wrote: »

IIRC any 32bit Vista disk contains the various versions (perhaps not Business).
Entering the key early in the process selects the correct version.

I'm surprised an IT technician doesn't have a copy of Vista kicking around.

I work in construction and have only dabble with pcs but have made sure I have all the os disks from Win 95 to Win 8.

We do have old copies of Vista at work - but I was uncertain whether they contained anything other than "enterprise" and it appears that they don't....
I also have an OEM version from a previous PC that I owned but assume that this too will be unsuitable ?

50Twuncle

HereToday wrote: »

Correction: The image to which I linked is actually the VISTA Recovery DVD, as opposed to the common or Garden Windows Vista with Service Pack 2 (x86) - DVD (English).

So just install from Boot, choose Custom Install > Drive Options(advanced), delete the relevant partitions(usually the first two) and install to the Unallocated Space.



Will be no need to enter a Product Key if the machine came with VISTA preinstalled in the first place.

Have I missed something ?
Did you make a posting that has been removed ?

bod1467

50Twuncle wrote: »

Have I missed something ?

Yes you have.

50Twuncle wrote: »

Did you make a posting that has been removed ?

No he didn't. I'm sure someone as intelligent as you can work it out.