Used Laptop Has No Windows Vista Installation Disks?

[godin]

Re: Used Laptop Has No Windows Vista Installation Disks?

I am currently experimenting with DV6000/9000 and which OS to put on them.
My findings are that:
Vista is by far the slowest and most disfunctional.
XP works just fine as ever.
Win 7 home premium is the fastest and best by far.
The machines have 1-2 GB RAM and AMD dual processors 1.6-1.9 and in all cases of normal use that I have put them to Win 7 outperforms the other OSs.
Win7 OEM disc downloads are out there with a choice of which version to install.

[PCBONEZ]

Re: Used Laptop Has No Windows Vista Installation Disks?

I am currently experimenting with DV6000/9000 and which OS to put on them.
My findings are that:
Vista is by far the slowest and most disfunctional.
XP works just fine as ever.
Win 7 home premium is the fastest and best by far.
The machines have 1-2 GB RAM and AMD dual processors 1.6-1.9 and in all cases of normal use that I have put them to Win 7 outperforms the other OSs.
Win7 OEM disc downloads are out there with a choice of which version to install.

How much of your RAM is reserved for system use in your Win7 installs?
.

[turbozutek]

Re: Used Laptop Has No Windows Vista Installation Disks?

I've noticed that Windows 7 OEM CD's work on any OEM hardware. I've used DELL disks on HP laptops with HP keys and it's been fine and I've also used a Lenovo OEM disk on a Toshiba with the right key and no trouble.

About f--ing time MS, thanks! Having to get manufacturer specific disks was a pain in the arse.

Chris...

[godin]

Re: Used Laptop Has No Windows Vista Installation Disks?

How much of your RAM is reserved for system use in your Win7 installs?
.

How would I check that? It is just default installs

[PCBONEZ]

Re: Used Laptop Has No Windows Vista Installation Disks?

How would I check that? It is just default installs

Never mind. - Brain Fart.
.
The system reserved RAM addresses start at 4Gb on the map and move down.
Not too likely it will over-run into user RAM address space with only 2Gb of physical RAM.
.

[Scenic]

Re: Used Laptop Has No Windows Vista Installation Disks?

Links to official Vista DVDs. Unlike Win7 versions, they need some converting, but you'll end up with a bog standard Vista SP1 .iso

http://www.heidoc.net/joomla/technol...download-links

If it was Windows 7, it would be one heck of a lot easier, as you can download the unmodified .iso files directly from Digitalriver (an online software store)
http://www.mydigitallife.info/offici...digital-river/

[yyonline]

Re: Used Laptop Has No Windows Vista Installation Disks?

I've had no issues using retail Vista discs and the OEM key printed on the label on the laptop. This usually activates fine, but occasionally requires a call to Microsoft. I've never had fail to activate after calling Microsoft.

This assumes that the COA label is still reabable. With Vista, MS switched to uncoated paper labels, and the ink rubs off after awhile. XP didn't have this problem, as the labels were laminated. With Windows 7, most of the OEMs have started putting the COA label inside the battery compartment on most laptops, protecting it from wear and tear.

Other options include making recovery discs before reformatting the HD, ordering recovery discs from Toshiba (assuming they're still available). This will allow you to install Vista without entering a key. (If you use a retail disc, or a non-restore Windows disc from a different manufacturer, you'll need to enter the key from the label.)

[Paul678]

Re: Used Laptop Has No Windows Vista Installation Disks?

Ok, I've upgraded to Windows 7 Home Premium without a hiccup,
except I made a DVD coaster when I tried to burn the ISO to
disk. But the Virtualclonedrive worked perfectly.

Norton's 360 wasn't compatible, but I'll try Avast for anti-virus
based on someone's recommendation.

And guess what? The Windows 7 Recovery Media creator was
super easy to find. I'll burn a start-up recovery disk from there
for FREE, which is better than the $30 Toshiba wanted....LOL!

Visually, 7 looks pretty similar to Vista, but we'll see what happens.

Thanks to all for the advice, and I'll keep you posted.....

[Paul678]

Re: Used Laptop Has No Windows Vista Installation Disks?

Whoa! Had a big scare today!

I just discovered the 30 day evaluation period for
Windows 7, after which you have to activate and
register it through the internet, or suffer limited
functionality.

Here is the Heaven sent fix:

http://zone-sharing.info/2011/03/rem...e-18/#comments

The other solutions are BS: you can only extend the evaluation
to 120 days, or you have to do all sorts of modifications to the
files every 30 days. Use the above link.

Good Luck, and I hope this helps someone.....