Vista additional DVD

[Guest]

I bought my original Windows Vista Ultimate from a microsoft dealer in
Pakistan. I have come to study in the UK. In the DVD case the data side of
the DVD was touching the vista guide. Now i packed my vista DVD case in the
suitcase. Because of the guide touching the data side of the DVD the DVD has
gotten a lot of scratches. I didn't even use the DVD and it got scratched. I
have managed to install vista ultimate, but the DVD was giving me reading
problems.

My question is that can i get an additional DVD from microsoft or probably a
downloadable version of windows which I can use with the serial key that I
already have. Or will I have to spend another fortune buying windows again.

 

[DP]

Have you tried a disk-cleaning solution?
I've never used such a thing because I've never had a need to. So I don't
know if they work or not.
Supposed to help scratched music CDs, etc.

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Contact Microsoft:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=326246

Assuming you have retail Windows Vista, any retail Vista DVD of any version
will work with your key.

 

[Tiberius]

Choi... Yes you can get a new disk for free from Microsoft. I think you have
to pay $15 for the shipping..

see these links (pdf and doc)

For americas
http://download.microsoft.com/downl.../americas end user media replacement form.pdf

for Europe, Middle East, and Africa

http://download.microsoft.com/downl...a end user media replacement form-final.docOr pehaps an MVP would be useful for a change and direct you to the propersite.In the meantime...You can create a copy of that DVD onto a new DVD.A good way is to create an ISO image file on your disk using a software likemagiciso.If you can create an ISO image even though its scratched there is a way tocompare the original disk with the new iso image using this software (free)http://www.kvipu.com/CDCheck/Then you will burn the ISO that has been verified to be ok to a new diskwith your burning program, like NERO"Choi" <[email protected]> wrote in messagenews:[email protected]...>I bought my original Windows Vista Ultimate from a microsoft dealer in> Pakistan. I have come to study in the UK. In the DVD case the data side of> the DVD was touching the vista guide. Now i packed my vista DVD case inthe> suitcase. Because of the guide touching the data side of the DVD the DVDhas> gotten a lot of scratches. I didn't even use the DVD and it got scratched.I> have managed to install vista ultimate, but the DVD was giving me reading> problems.>> My question is that can i get an additional DVD from microsoft or probablya> downloadable version of windows which I can use with the serial key that I> already have. Or will I have to spend another fortune buying windowsagain.>>> --> www.flickr.com/photos/mzeechoi

 

[Michael]

Step one.
try to copy the DVD, use a copy and verify program if possible.

step two, use a cd/dvd cleaner polisher to try to remove the scratches and
do another copy.

If you obtain another DVD your serial key will work if the DVD is of the
same type as the original DVD. For instance must be same upgrade or full
install, retail box or SAME OEM.

Michael

 

[Tiberius]

second link was bad since it stuck with other text.. here it is again

for Europe, Middle East, and Africa

http://download.microsoft.com/downl...mea end user media replacement form-final.doc

 

[Richard Urban]

Get hold of the exact version of Vista that you purchased and make a copy of
the DVD. It is the key that is important, not the fact that you are using
the DVD that came with said key.

Your key will work when installing the same version (Ultimate Retail etc),
even if you borrow the DVD from a friend. Knowledgeable people always make a
copy of their expensive purchases, just to guard against such happenings.

--


Regards,

Richard Urban
Microsoft MVP Windows Shell/User
(For email, remove the obvious from my address)

 

[Tiberius]

reposting because of messed up message

Choi... Yes you can get a new disk for free from Microsoft. I think you have
to pay about $30

see these links (pdf and doc)

For americas
http://download.microsoft.com/downl.../americas end user media replacement form.pdf

for Europe, Middle East, and Africa

http://download.microsoft.com/downl...a end user media replacement form-final.docOr pehaps an MVP would be useful for a change and direct you to thepropersite.In the meantime...You can create a copy of that DVD onto a new DVD.A good way is to create an ISO image file on your disk using a softwarelikemagiciso.If you can create an ISO image even though its scratched there is a waytocompare the original disk with the new iso image using this software(free)http://www.kvipu.com/CDCheck/Then you will burn the ISO that has been verified to be ok to a new diskwithyour burning program, like NERO

 

[XS11E]

I didn't even use the DVD and it got scratched. I have managed to
install vista ultimate, but the DVD was giving me reading
problems.

If you have a two optical drives, a DVD RW and a DVD ROM try the
scratched DVD in the RW drive, IF it will read, make a copy. I've
found the burners will read scratched disks MUCH better than the ROM, I
don't know why?

One other trick to see if you can copy the DVD is to wash the disk with
a little dish soap and water, rinse it carefully and blot it dry with a
paper towel. Put it into the DVD drive and try make a copy ASAP, the
little bit of water that remains in the scratches will often make a DVD
read that won't read if completely dry.

 

[Guest]

An Easier Solution Is To Reformat Your Computer And Install Open Source
Linux Ubuntu From http://www.ubuntu.com, Just FYI.

 

[Synapse Syndrome]

One other trick to see if you can copy the DVD is to wash the disk with
a little dish soap and water, rinse it carefully and blot it dry with a
paper towel. Put it into the DVD drive and try make a copy ASAP, the
little bit of water that remains in the scratches will often make a DVD
read that won't read if completely dry.

Using Brasso to polish the DVD helps with scratches. It actually melts the
plastic a little bit, as well as being a fine abrasive. I have done this
many times on old scratched music CDs, and it always works.

ss.

 

[Guest]

Thanks for the update - i actually figured it out because there was an Or at
the end when it should have been just .doc

 

[Guest]

Hehe... Thats what one of my friends using ubuntu said...

 

[Guest]

Thankyou everyone for your prompt replies. You don't know how much I
appreciate the help.

I know polishing the DVD helps but as someone trule pointed out that the
process takes away a very thin layer, which ruin your dvd altogether as
well...

@Tiberius, will try your solution - for which I am grateful - to get another
DVD. I think $30 is nothing compared to the $400 one spends to buy the DVD.
So I might not have to waste a fortune after all