2 and 1/2 Questions regarding installing Windows Vista

[TomYoung]

Hi:

I've got two legal copies of Windows Vista: one's an "upgrade" disk
and the other's a "full install" disk.

The computer with the "full clean install" has been running fine,
while the computer (Dell) with the upgrade installation (over Windows
SP) has been running like crap with ALL KINDS OF PROBLEMS AND OS
ERRORS!! (Sorry to shout but I want Bill to hear me.) In my
frustration I've completely wiped the hard drive on the problem
computer and face going through the laborious problem of starting from
scratch.

I'd really, really like to avoid the installation of the Dell Recovery
disk, with its craplets and programs I don't want, as I think its
install of Windows XP, etc. might be part of the problem

So, some questions:

1) Is there any way I can "show" the Windows Vista Upgrade install
program the Dell Recovery disk and have it accept that as the basis
for the upgrade. I know on older versions of Windows you could do
that, but I don't recall seeing that option when I did the Windows
Vista upgrade.

2) If the answer to 1) is "no", can I use my Windows Vista full
install disk on the Dell with its wiped disk? After all, I've got two
legal, paid-for copies of Windows Vista so I'm not doing Micro$oft any
harm.

2a) If the answer to 2) is "yes" (oh, please, please,
please!) could
I give the Windows Vista full install program the key
code off
the "Upgrade" disk, or would it require the key code
off the
full install disk?

TIA

Tom Young

 

[Andre Da Costa[ActiveWin]]

How do I do a clean install with the Windows Vista Upgrade media?

1. Boot with the Windows Vista Upgrade DVD.

2. Click "Install Now".

3. Do not enter a Product Key when prompted.

4. When prompted, select the Vista product edition that you do have.

5. Install Vista normally.

6. Once the install is complete, restart the DVD-based Setup from
within Windows Vista. Perform an in-place upgrade.

7. Enter your Product Key when prompted.

 

[cvp]

Hi:

I've got two legal copies of Windows Vista: one's an "upgrade" disk
and the other's a "full install" disk.

The computer with the "full clean install" has been running fine,
while the computer (Dell) with the upgrade installation (over Windows
SP) has been running like crap with ALL KINDS OF PROBLEMS AND OS
ERRORS!! (Sorry to shout but I want Bill to hear me.) In my
frustration I've completely wiped the hard drive on the problem
computer and face going through the laborious problem of starting from
scratch.

I'd really, really like to avoid the installation of the Dell Recovery
disk, with its craplets and programs I don't want, as I think its
install of Windows XP, etc. might be part of the problem

So, some questions:

1) Is there any way I can "show" the Windows Vista Upgrade install
program the Dell Recovery disk and have it accept that as the basis
for the upgrade. I know on older versions of Windows you could do
that, but I don't recall seeing that option when I did the Windows
Vista upgrade.

2) If the answer to 1) is "no", can I use my Windows Vista full
install disk on the Dell with its wiped disk? After all, I've got two
legal, paid-for copies of Windows Vista so I'm not doing Micro$oft any
harm.

2a) If the answer to 2) is "yes" (oh, please, please,
please!) could
I give the Windows Vista full install program the key
code off
the "Upgrade" disk, or would it require the key code
off the
full install disk?

TIA

Tom Young

Answers:

1) No
2) No

Essentially you want to do a "clean install" using your upgrade key. For
that you need a valid system on your disk, but installing a fresh copy
instead of upgrading the system (the old system is put into windows.old
and you can delete it afterwards)

 

[Guest]

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/68767-clean-install.html

Here is a link from one of the decent posters here!
The answer to 2 is NO.
Just redo with the Dell recovery disks, then install vista the way Brink
advises at the link, twice

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Tom;
Andre told you the closest thing to a Clean Install.

With the few details you gave it is impossible to know the cause.
You seem to blame Microsoft.
Have you also contacted Dell to see what they said about that computer
and Windows Vista compatibility?
You may run into similar problems if there are incompatibility issues
with that computer.

"Sorry to shout but I want Bill to hear me"
Not likely since these newsgroups are not monitored by Microsoft.
Occasionally Microsoft employees post here, but then they do so on
their own time.
If you want to be sure Microsoft gets your message, this is not the
place.
Perhaps here:
http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/?ws=mscom

 

[Guest]

Hi Tom,

If you follow the instructions in my post 'Clean Install Windows Vista Using
Upgrade Media' in the newsgroup 'Windows Vista Installation and Setup' (dated
09/21/2007), you should be able to solve your problem. However, Dell is known
for using proprietary hardware in their machines and this sometimes requires
specific drivers available only from Dell themselves, so you will need to
check with them to see if they have got Vista compatible drivers for your
machine.
Dwarf

 

[Andre Da Costa[ActiveWin]]

The thing is, those drivers are included on a separate CD which you can
install separately to get back compatibility. Its not like a Recovery Disk
that includes both the OS and drivers. Its one of the things I like to
commend Dell for. Separate OS Disk, separate device driver disk. The OEMs
put too much junk on their PCs.