Re-installing or Clean installation of Vista possible?

[gopikrish]

I have pre installed Sony VAIO laptop with Vista Home premium OS with SP1.

On the back side of my laptop, there is a sticker named,
Windows Vista Home premium OEMAct
Sony Corporation and 25 digit Product Key.

Is this retail key or OS key? Because I heard only retail key works and so if I get a Vista installation disc, Can I use this same key on re-installation of Vista?

And how to find out if my laptop came with Vista First Home Premium or with Vista SP1 ?
If I get First Home premium disc, will it work even if I got laptop installed with Vista SP1 ??

I got to re-install because I am not able to Turn ON/OFF any Windows components like IIS.

And which is recommended, clean install or re-install ?

Please help ! Thanks a lot.

 

[richc46]

Welcome
That is probably the key number.If the number on the computer has 25 digits and or letters, with 5 groups of 5 numbers each and has the letters OEM. That is your OEM key that can be used to reinstall the OS. It is an OEM key which means that it can only be used on that computer. You cannot install Windows on any other computer with that number. To reinstall, you need the DVD that was included when you purchased your computer. If you do not have a DVD you can call the company and get one for cost, about $25.00
With that DVD you can reinstall using the OEM number.
There are only two types of intstalls. There is a clean install and an upgrade install. A clean install is best.
If you did not get a DVD with the computer, you can restore to factory specs. You acheive this by hitting and F key during boot. The precise key is noted in your computer manual or can be found oline if you have the make and model of your computer.
A clean install is best.
Your computer came with Home Premium. It may have been just Home Premium or it may have ALSO been SP1. SP1 is a service pack, it includes all updates etc. To help determine if your computer was purchased with SP1, when did you make the purchase?
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/117366-clean-install-full-version-vista.html
You may be able to repair using an SFC command
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/66978-system-files-sfc-command.html

To Summarize
You can install with the DVD that came with the computer
You can buy a DVD for cost and install
You can do a factory restore, which is just like a install. The computer will be just like the day you took it home.
In each of these scenarios, you will lose all your documents pics etc.

 

[americancritic]

Hello gopikrich and welcome to the forum when you bought your computer with pre-installed SP1 was already installed.

The key code you have must have another key code from micrsoft for you to be able to use there software.

This can only be done in 2 ways, either the internet or by calling Micosoft, they give you another key code to go with the one you have which activates your software so you can use it, without both key codes you would not be able to use there software, it is suppose to help stop theives from sharing with everyone and then the makers don't get paid for there merchandise.

Hope this helps so you know about the key codes.

 

[gopikrish]

I am sorry another key is there above Product key but its just a 14 digit number in the format xxxxx-xxx-xxx-xxx

Since my laptop didn't come with Vista DVD, if I try to get a non activated Vista installation disc and use this key on my laptop, it wont work?

I can do restore to factory settings for now, but in future if I had to reinstall a clean copy of Vista, what is the solution since I dont have OS disc supplied
Also Please give online link from where I can order for DVD installation disc for $25 or so..
Thanks.

 

[richc46]

First examine your computer carefully, the OEM key number is there somewher. It might be near the battery. You may have to open the computer and look in the area of the battery.
You can do the factory restoration, again, if needed.
Personally, I would try to get a DVD, at cost, from the computer supplier; Dell, Sony, etc.

You must have the correct key to use a DVD.

 

[gopikrish]

No richc46... I was able to find the OEM number (25 digits)

But I am sorry there is another key above Product key but its just a 14 digit number in the format xxxxx-xxx-xxx-xxx

Since I bought the laptop in US and right now living in India, in case I am not able to get the vista installation disc here, if I get a vista installation disc from my friend who is having it but its not activated one, will I be able to re-install using my OEM number ?

Also if you are able to provide me the link from Sony from where I can order for it, I appreciate it. Thanks.

 

[richc46]

First, regarding that number. The one that you need is the OEM number that is the one that you will use to install with the DVD

There is no such thing as an activated DVD. One DVD can be used hundreds of times. Ecah time requires a key number. The computer does not know if the DVD was used before, it only knows if the key number was used. You should be able to use her DVD with your key number. There, however, have been some reported problems with this method reported in our Seven Forums. I do not know the cause or the ultimate outcome.

As far as contacting Sony, this may be your best bet
Sony eSupport - Electronics - Select Your Model
Usually contact is made by phone. Sony is under no obligation to even provide you with the DVD. It is usually done as a courtesy.

May I suggest that you try the factory restoration for now.
Alt + f10 at boot should restore to factory settings. If this does not work, give me the model of your computer.

Lets just try to get that computer up and running again.

 

[richc46]

Have you considered an SFC repair?
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/66978-system-files-sfc-command.html

 

[gopikrish]

Yes I tried SFC and no use..

@rich - Sure will try for factory settings for now as first step. As 2nd step will try to get DVD from Sony here in India.

Incase both not possible, will try to use friends DVD with my OEM number. But just confirm if my friends DVD is Home premium without SP1 and mine is Home premium with SP1, will it work? Please give your guess.
FYI, I bought this laptop on 2008 October. Model name - VGN-FW190

And lastly, I saw in this link Sony eSupport - VGN-FW190 - Software Updates & Drivers
At the right side of this page there is Purchase the original CDs. It says VGN-FW100U Series Recovery DVD Set. But I wonder its not OEM specific? It seems generic for all laptops? Anyway unfortunately I can't order it since I am in India.

 

[richc46]

Yes I tried SFC and no use..

@rich - Sure will try for factory settings for now as first step. As 2nd step will try to get DVD from Sony here in India.

Incase both not possible, will try to use friends DVD with my OEM number. But just confirm if my friends DVD is Home premium without SP1 and mine is Home premium with SP1, will it work? Please give your guess.
FYI, I bought this laptop on 2008 October. Model name - VGN-FW190

And lastly, I saw in this link Sony eSupport - VGN-FW190 - Software Updates & Drivers
At the right side of this page there is Purchase the original CDs. It says VGN-FW100U Series Recovery DVD Set. But I wonder its not OEM specific? It seems generic for all laptops? Anyway unfortunately I can't order it since I am in India.

The computer should have been sp1. SP1 was issued the beginning of 08.
I think that the DVD will work regardless of the SP1. In case it does not, it will reject the install, you will not lose anything.

But why jump ahead try the f11 restoration. That should work.

 

[gopikrish]

Ok..Thanks a lot richk46

 

[americancritic]

Hello before I posted I wanted to make sure no one else had said the same thing. I was going to suggest that you contact Sony and order the Factory Recover Disk's, plus they are inexpensive around $25.00 or so. You will thank yourself many times for doing so.

Rich thanks for putting that in your above post.

 

[ilikefree]

This program will find your key and save it to a txt file for you.

ABR (Activation Backup and Restore) | directedge.us

 

[gopikrish]

Thanks even without ABR tool, I can manually activate my windows after re-installation using OEM key, isnt it?

And if I download and create a Recovery Disc using the steps given in this link, http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/141820-create-recovery-disc.html
And follow Windows Complete PC Restore (Restore your entire computer from backup), will I lose my data or only system files will be replaced?

 

[richc46]

If you restore from a back up, you will be back to the way you were the day you took the computer home. You will lose everything, pics etc

If you can install this, you can back up first
Use Ubuntu Live CD to Backup Files from Your Dead Windows Computer - How-To Geek

 

[jesica]

It is a very nice thing to see your excellent work and I like your post very much. With your rich knowledge, we can learn more from your wonderful post. Thanks so much.

 

[richc46]

TY for the post, Jesica

 

[ilikefree]

If you reinstall with your friends Retail DVD and activate with your key you will end up with just vista and no OEM software.
That is what I have done here.

 

[gopikrish]

If you reinstall with your friends Retail DVD and activate with your key you will end up with just vista and no OEM software.
That is what I have done here.

You mean no OEM software (i.e Anytime Upgrade DVD installation partition) already present in hard drive will get deleted?

 

[richc46]

No he means bloatware. Things like trial for anti virus software or maybe a trial of Office. Things that you are better off without.
That being said when you reinstall sometimes those partitions no longer function properly.
I know it happened to many when they went from the preinstalled vista to Seven. The factory restore partition no longer functioned.