Reinstalling Vista on gateway

[slightlyhuman]

I have my brothers desktop I'm cleaning for him. It's a gateway with Vista Home Premium. I have a Vista HP iso I tried installing but the key wouldn't work. I'm guessing I need a gateway specific install of Vista HP. What's the best way about getting Vista reinstalled on here?

TIA

 

[gmaster456]

the key on his machine is probably on OEM key.

 

[slightlyhuman]

the key on his machine is probably on OEM key.

so what's the best way to go about getting it reinstalled using his key? the recovery partition was fuxored.

 

[Lifted]

Use a disk that's not a non-Gateway branded OEM disk. A Gateway disk will work, and both retail and non-branded OEM disks will work with the key on his computer.

 

[Steltek]

With Vista, the install DVD should contain all versions - your product key then determines which one will be installed.

The following download links are from Digital River. They still work now, but I wouldn't be surprised if they go away in the next month (Vista hits end of life in less than 30 days, on 04/10/2012).

Digital River download links for Vista Ultimate SP1 x86:
X14-63452.EXE
boot.wim
install.wim

Digital River download links for Vista Ultimate SP1 x64:
X14-63453.exe
boot.wim
install.wim


Guide to create Vista install DVD with vLite (use X14-635452.EXE in place of the reference to X14-49121.EXE in the guide for the 32 bit install CD).

Note: Guide is for creation of 64-bit Vista install DVD, but also works for X86/32-bit install DVD creation if you skip the ETFSBOOT.COM step

Hope this helps.

 

[serpretetsky]

before you do any funny stuff, check if it has a recovery partition, as this will be far faster and easier than discs. During post (before boot) hold alt and tap f10 repeatedly. It may bring you to the recovery partition. This windows may also be found by hitting f8 (no alt) and going to "repair windows" or "recovery environment". From there you may find gateway recovery manager and do it through there. If neither of these options work it means you dont a working recovery partition

Please note the recovery partition will restore the system to factory settings (including preloaded software) so this may not be the option for you if you're trying to get a minimal install.

 

[slightlyhuman]

yeah the rec par is fubared. thanks for the links and posts guys!