Clean Install not possible with Vista Upgrade Discs

[SilentRunning]

Originally posted by: Aberforth

Go to activate and enter product key and.....DENIED. Product key only for upgrading and not clean install. SHITTTT!!!!!!!!

there you go, thats the whole point of this thread. 🙂

And yet the box states that you may have to do a clean install. 😕

Does it really use the words "clean install"?

 

[Damn Dirty Ape]

Originally posted by: SilentRunning

Originally posted by: Aberforth

Go to activate and enter product key and.....DENIED. Product key only for upgrading and not clean install. SHITTTT!!!!!!!!

there you go, thats the whole point of this thread. 🙂

And yet the box states that you may have to do a clean install. 😕

Does it really use the words "clean install"?

hmm.. I'd like to see another attempt using this method before we panic.

 

[ezzye23]

Well someone had to try it to be sure
It says 30 days to activate.
I am now installing the dvd-setup in vista doing the custom install
Guys, the custom install pretty much is doing a clean install. It erases everything and installs the new version. I does move you old windows files into a file called windows.old or something.
Ok activated and seems to be working.

That is as close to clean install you will get with the upgrade. So apparently the workaround by Thurrott works.

It also seems you don't need to have an existing copy of windows to use this upgrade!

Mike

 

[ezzye23]

Originally posted by: SilentRunning

Originally posted by: Aberforth

Go to activate and enter product key and.....DENIED. Product key only for upgrading and not clean install. SHITTTT!!!!!!!!

there you go, thats the whole point of this thread. 🙂

And yet the box states that you may have to do a clean install. 😕

Does it really use the words "clean install"?

It gives you two choices, install over existing which you can save you settings and programs etc., or custom install which mentions a clean install which will erase everything except for a backup folder that is made for you.

 

[SilentRunning]

Originally posted by: Damn Dirty Ape

hmm.. I'd like to see another attempt using this method before we panic.

I am not panicking, I am actually relatively indifferent. I have two Tech upgrade copies of Vista coming sometime in February. It is Microsofts call as to whether the want my upgrade dollars. I have 2 Retail XP Pro Full, 1 Retail XP Pro UPGD, 2 Retail XP Home Full, & 2 Retail XP Home UPGD. They MCE functionality was a selling point but oh well.

Apparently right now Microsoft doesn't want them dollars 😛

 

[SilentRunning]

Originally posted by: ezzye23
Well someone had to try it to be sure
It says 30 days to activate.
I am now installing the dvd-setup in vista doing the custom install
Guys, the custom install pretty much is doing a clean install. It erases everything and installs the new version. I does move you old windows files into a file called windows.old or something.
Ok activated and seems to be working.

That is as close to clean install you will get with the upgrade. So apparently the workaround by Thurrott works.

It also seems you don't need to have an existing copy of windows to use this upgrade!

Mike

Did you have XP installed on the hard drive when you did the Custom install?

XP upgrade doesn't prompt for a disc if it finds an OS on the hard drive.

EDIT So wait are you saying you installed Vista without a key and didn't activate it, then from within the unactivated Vista you ran the dvd upgrade and installed Vista?

If that is what you did, it is still the same hassle of having to install twice.

 

[Damn Dirty Ape]

I thought Thurrots workaround was the 'don't enter a key during setup' routine to get a clean install..

 

[RebateMonger]

Edit:

Originally posted by: ezzye23
It gives you two choices, install over existing which you can save you settings and programs etc., or custom install which mentions a clean install which will erase everything except for a backup folder that is made for you.

Hmmmm...I didn't notice that post of yours before. So, the following may not even apply:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Originally posted by: ezzye23
Go to activate and enter product key and.....DENIED. Product key only for upgrading and not clean install. SHITTTT!!!!!!!!

I don't think you are following the FULL procedure that's being tossed about.

FULL Install of Vista using a Vista "Upgrade" DVD:
1) Start with an EMPTY hard drive or one that you want to reformat.
2) Boot with the Vista Upgrade DVD.
2) Install the Vista Upgrade by leaving the Key blank. During the install, delete any partitions that you don't want.
3) Once Vista is installed, run the Vista Install program from INSIDE Vista. This time, time put in your Upgrade Key.
2) Activate Vista.

Supposedly, this works, but I don't know anybody who's done it.

Re: Having to install twice
It only took 15 to 20 minutes to do the first install, so having to install twice, if it works, isn't THAT big a deal.

Re: Installing on top of XP
Supposedly, XP pretty much is "bye-bye" by the time you do the upgrade. Microsoft implies that the prior XP install is wiped out. You'll still have your applications installed, which COULD be a problem if they aren't fully Vista compatible.

Edit: This is getting too complicated for my feeble mind. I'm realizing that if there's a "Clean Install" option, that likely wipes out installed applications, too.

 

[ezzye23]

Yes I did the FULL procedure. I tried it two different ways. Only difference is that when I booted the vista dvd I did have xp installed on the drive and not a empty formatted drive. But I did format the drive when the option came up

But yes I did run the vista install from inside vista and did the custom install. But like you said it wipes out any os you are upgrading from and I don't think it will be an issue. It's pretty close to doing a clean install.

I did not enter a activation key when I booted into it first. I activated when I did the second install from within vista.

 

[RebateMonger]

Originally posted by: ezzye23
Well someone had to try it to be sure
It says 30 days to activate.
I am now installing the dvd-setup in vista doing the custom install
Guys, the custom install pretty much is doing a clean install. It erases everything and installs the new version. I does move you old windows files into a file called windows.old or something.
Ok activated and seems to be working.

That is as close to clean install you will get with the upgrade. So apparently the workaround by Thurrott works.

It also seems you don't need to have an existing copy of windows to use this upgrade!

Thanks for the report. So, I'm trying to be sure I understand this post.

You successfully Activated on a hard drive that had NO XP installed? Is that correct?

 

[ezzye23]

No. It had xp installed, but I did format it when I booted with the vista dvd.
Don't know if the vista dvd detected an installed os or not, I guess it could have.
I might format it and start over to see if it would work with an empty drive

Doesn't take long at all to install about 15 minutes.

 

[RebateMonger]

Originally posted by: ezzye23
Doesn't take long at all to install about 15 minutes.

Yeah, it's really fast. I'd do it, but I can't Activate. My only Vista copies right now are Action Pack, which have a fixed number of Activations. Even if I re-install on the same PC.

 

[coolVariable]

Could someone please try Thurrot's workaround and see if it worked (using a blank - previously formatted harddrive; there should be no operating system installed).


ezzye23, you don't happen to work for Microsoft, do you?

Pretty strange for someone to join this board the day of the Vista launch and then being the only one who can do a "clean install" (although, you have not yet done a REAL CLEAN install, as far as I understand your posts).

 

[hkklife]

Can this "windows.old" directory be deleted with no consequences once the Vista install is done? Approx. how large is this .old directory?

I wonder if it's the same for an Ultimate upgrade as it is for a Home basic or premium upgrade...?

 

[Nocturnal]

Originally posted by: RebateMonger

Originally posted by: ezzye23
Doesn't take long at all to install about 15 minutes.

Yeah, it's really fast. I'd do it, but I can't Activate. My only Vista copies right now are Action Pack, which have a fixed number of Activations. Even if I re-install on the same PC.

Are you serious? I don't recall the MAP licensing to be like that (fixed number of activations). So once you hit your max you simply can no longer use the software?

 

[sam509]

Originally posted by: Nocturnal

Originally posted by: RebateMonger

Originally posted by: ezzye23
Doesn't take long at all to install about 15 minutes.

Yeah, it's really fast. I'd do it, but I can't Activate. My only Vista copies right now are Action Pack, which have a fixed number of Activations. Even if I re-install on the same PC.

Are you serious? I don't recall the MAP licensing to be like that (fixed number of activations). So once you hit your max you simply can no longer use the software?

I believe you have 10 licenses not just 10 activations? at least what MS told me but the way they have been changing the rules in midstream lately who knows.

 

[ezzye23]

Originally posted by: coolVariable
Could someone please try Thurrot's workaround and see if it worked (using a blank - previously formatted harddrive; there should be no operating system installed).


ezzye23, you don't happen to work for Microsoft, do you?

Pretty strange for someone to join this board the day of the Vista launch and then being the only one who can do a "clean install" (although, you have not yet done a REAL CLEAN install, as far as I understand your posts).

If you bothered to read my posts you would see what I did and it's close to a clean install.
I would format it and try again with a CLEAN empty drive, but I am already started customizing things and don't feel like the hassle. I'm not worried about it though, the previous version of whatever you had installed gets erased and stored in another folder.
Also if you bothered to look at my join date in 2005 you would know that I didn't just join the board. I have always read stuff here but hardly post.

 

[RebateMonger]

Re: Action Pack Vista Licenses

Originally posted by: sam509
I believe you have 10 licenses not just 10 activations? at least what MS told me but the way they have been changing the rules in midstream lately who knows.

Yep. Who knows. The paperwork says "10 licenses" one place and it says "10 activations" in another. Since MS now only gives you ONE Key Code for all 10 Vista licenses, it's quite possible you'll have to call if you exceed 10 Activations.

Most folks believe that you are entitled to 10 LICENSES. If that's the case, you should be able to just call and Activate if you've moved a license to a different PC. Like most of us, though, I hate the idea of having to call.

All of this pales in comparison to the onerous "your Action Pack XP licenses will all expire this year" statement that's floating out there. 🙁

 

[vetteguy]

I'm trying this right now, since I was just told by Windows Vista that my CD key was invalid since I did a clean install (even though the box says I can do a clean install). Maybe Microsoft will fix this???

 

[davidos]

Originally posted by: vetteguy
I'm trying this right now, since I was just told by Windows Vista that my CD key was invalid since I did a clean install (even though the box says I can do a clean install). Maybe Microsoft will fix this???

Let us know because I have a copy of Vista Upgrade sitting on my desk at work right now and I'll retun it for the Full version if you can't do a clean install!

 

[dkkruse]

OK, I just did a clean install with the Upgrade disk. I got a new hard drive (320 GB) and I knew I would not be able to install from my XP Home disk because it was pre - SP2 (actually pre-SP1!) and I would not be able to format it greater than 130GB. I did like you guys said and didn't enter the activation code at first, installed, and then installed again from within Vista. I never needed my XP disk. I am using it to enter this message in, and I have already done updates, etc.

 

[sam509]

Originally posted by: dkkruse
OK, I just did a clean install with the Upgrade disk. I got a new hard drive (320 GB) and I knew I would not be able to install from my XP Home disk because it was pre - SP2 (actually pre-SP1!) and I would not be able to format it greater than 130GB. I did like you guys said and didn't enter the activation code at first, installed, and then installed again from within Vista. I never needed my XP disk. I am using it to enter this message in, and I have already done updates, etc.

Very good news.

 

[RebateMonger]

Originally posted by: dkkruse
OK, I just did a clean install with the Upgrade disk. I got a new hard drive (320 GB) and I knew I would not be able to install from my XP Home disk because it was pre - SP2 (actually pre-SP1!) and I would not be able to format it greater than 130GB. I did like you guys said and didn't enter the activation code at first, installed, and then installed again from within Vista. I never needed my XP disk. I am using it to enter this message in, and I have already done updates, etc.

Have you Activated it?
That's the "big" question.

Which brings up an interesting point....I was able to MANUALLY run Windows Update (and Microsoft Update) on Vista WITHOUT Activating it.

XP wouldn't let you do that. If you tried to MANUALLY do Windows Updates, XP forced you to Activate first. On a not-yet-Activated XP install, you could only do Automatic Updates (like overnight).

 

[X2 3800]

How's about this variation? 🙂

I have XP on my C: drive.
I have a second, identical HD as the D drive.
I'd like to do a clean (or nearly clean) install, i.e., preserve my first HD unmolested.
I have a retail Upgrade to Home Premium DVD.

Can I:

1. Boot to XP, then

2. Run the Vista upgrade DVD, select custom install, and install Vista to the empty/formatted second drive,

3. Shut down, remove the XP drive, select the Vista drive as the boot drive, then

4. Restart in Vista with only the Vista drive present?

Or will the Vista install balk early in this process because it's not being installed *over* the existing XP installation?

Thanks for any thoughts!
Mark

 

[loup garou]

Originally posted by: hkklife
Can this "windows.old" directory be deleted with no consequences once the Vista install is done? Approx. how large is this .old directory?

I wonder if it's the same for an Ultimate upgrade as it is for a Home basic or premium upgrade...?

All versions of Vista create it. It can be deleted with no consequence and its size is dependent on your previous windows install.