Do I HAVE to use OPK to install Vista OEM Home Basic?

[RalphTheCow]

I bought a new disc, and partitioned it with a large NTFS Partition 1 for Windows and smaller partitions for Linux. I installed Ubuntu on the smaller partitions and and all is well.

So I try to install Vista on the NTFS partition and it says something like "there is no valid area to install Windows on". So I formatted the NTFS partition from the Vista install disc - the volume name goes away, and I still get the same message.

So I figured I had to use the OEM Preinstallation Kit, but that has to be downloaded and burned after a tedious and painful OEM registration process, which right away sucks for a new build - I expect to just slap the DVD in and install!

So anyway, I downloaded the image on another PC and it is HUGE, 1 GB, so it looks like it is for DVD, not CD! My other computer doesn't have a DVD burner, only a CD one.

Now what? Try to burn the OPK from Linux? Reformat hard drive and install Windows first? Grrr.

 

[bruceb]

Try installing windows vista first, then partition and add Linux
I think, if Linux is installed first, windows get confused since
the Boot Record that Linux writes is not compatible with windows
and is in the same place that windows wants to put it's boot record

 

[RalphTheCow]

Thanks bruceb. I'll try it.

 

[bruceb]

I just found this link:

http://www.pro-networks.org/forum/about78184.html

Which will give a good step by step of how to do what
you want and have it work

 

[RalphTheCow]

This one was VERY clear. I'm going to try it now.
http://apcmag.com/5045/how_to_dual_boot_vista_with_linux