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M$7 Answers
- You mention 're-install', which hints this is not an illegal action without the CD.
- Most probably you bought your computer which has no CD but has a "restore partition" on its hard-disk. You MIGHT consider using this facility... but be aware that you might lose everything that you placed on your disk: music, videos email, and programs. rather infuriating, specially if you have paid for them and are not sure to be able to recover them without spending additional money...
So DON'T DO IT before exploring other options.
- What exactly happened to your Vista? If the problem is VERY recent, you might try rebooting your computer while repeatedly pushing on the "F8" key. You will the be offered several options... be very careful...
One of them is probably labelled "return to previously saved configuration". THIS IS PROBABLY YOUR BEST OPTION.
- Before taking the risk to reinstall, explore the option of using BartPE to boot your computer from a CD, pass your complete disk yo antivirus and detect any major problem. You might also use that to to a backup of your precious files.
Just a final note: if you were dealing with an health question, Mahalo would prominently display a warning 'consult a professional'. Well, be careful with the health of your computer and your data, never do something that might be risky unless you understand the risk and how to limit it.
If my 'return to previously saved configuration' does not work, BE VERY CAREFUL. Call Microsoft hot-line for assistance. For any action they suggest you to do, double check "Sorry, you are sure I will not lose my data?".
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M$
What you want to do is a complete reformat/reinstall so that you are starting from a clean slate. However, this is difficult without a Vista install disc. Many computers these days have a partition on the hard drive that you can use to restore the computer to its factory install, but you say your friend lost the disc, implying that there once was a CD. This means that you probably don't have this option available. Even if you do, it does have some drawbacks. First, it would restore it to the factory install, which would include all of the crapware that came on it. Since you are doing a complete reformat, you might as well try to avoid crapware so you can really start fresh. The second drawback is that if you use a CD, you could delete the factory partition and use that space to store more of your own data.
With that said, if you have a partition that you can use to restore the factory install and you want to go with that, then you should be able to find instructions on how to do so by going to the website of the laptop's manufacturer. However, if you want a completely clean Vista install, you will in fact need an install disc. If you know someone who has one, you could borrow it. Otherwise, as a last option, you could download it from a p2p network with a program like Lime Wire. Note that both options are for the most part legal as long as you activate the install with the license that came with the laptop. The Vista license should be attached to the bottom of the laptop. The only legal issue with downloading it over a p2p network is while you are downloading it, you will also be uploading it, which is illegal, but if you stop uploading it as soon as the download is finished, you should be fine. Also, if you do have to get it over a p2p network, be sure to check it for viruses, both before and after using it to install Vista. Its not unusual for criminals to install viruses on Windows install disc images and share them.
Good luck!
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$
If you want to completely wipe out and clean install Vista, you can borrow vista install CD (same is the product key sticker on the bottom side of the laptop). You can use the product key to clean install.
If the previous user never deleted any restore points or made a back up of the system recovery image, then you can use the following.
Solution 2: If you couldn't get a vista install disk from any of your friends and if you can live with the state after the system is restored, please use the following steps:
"1. Turn on Computer
2. while the system booting up/loading BIOS, hold F8
3. It will prompt start up options along with" Repair system " option
4. select "repair" and it will start loading
5. then log on when it prompts for login
6. then it will show all the repair options
At this stage you either select system restore to select the oldest point available or select system recovery using the back up image (if the vendor or the previous user made a back up)
good luck.
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M$
Also, try: Disk Defragmenter. If you don't have your system set up to defragment on a regular basis, your system can sometimes become very slow or fail to operate.
Good luck!
After answering this question initially as above, I now see further information posted by you regarding your exact situation...
My brand new Toshiba laptop with Windows Vista did not work out of the box. The renowned Computer Geek Squad wiped my laptop clean and re-installed Windows Vista successfully. So you might need to consult similar experts.
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$
Install and configure a BitTorrent client, I recommend uTorrent. It can be downloaded at http://www.utorrent.com . If you are unsure about the install process search on google there is a lot of documentation.
(WARNING: THIS SETUP WILL ONLY WORK IF YOU HAVE A LEGAL WORKING CD KEY AND SELECT THE PROPER VERSION DURING INSTALL)
Download this torrent http://torrents.thepiratebay.org/4100995/Microsoft_Windows_Vista_Ultimate.4100995.TPB.torrent
(WARNING: THIS SETUP WILL ONLY WORK IF YOU HAVE A LEGAL WORKING CD KEY AND SELECT THE PROPER VERSION DURING INSTALL)
Burn the downloaded file to a CD. Boot and install. Be sure to select the version of windows which you own during install or your CD KEY will not work. You can also install a trial version for 30 days by entering nothing in the CD key box.
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M$
A friend of mine recently got a brand new laptop and they were kind enough to give me their old one for free. I'd like to totally wipe the laptop clean, but she no longer has the CDs that came with the computer. So nothing is "wrong" but, I'd like to start with a clean slate.
1 - I would suggest that you first clarify the legal situation. Most probably if you look under the laptop you will find a Microsoft sticker with a vista serial number... this is the one you should use... unless your friend has reused this number.
2 - Look also at the vista version this license relates to: is it a professional? a home? home premium? etc
3 - Do you still have the phantom partition jfesmire mentioned? if yes, then reinstall from there. no cd needed.
Otherwise:
4 - You would then need a friend to lend you the corresponding vista cd, just reinstall by booting on the cd
5 - Another solution wold be to install windows7 RC: you can download it for free from Microsoft site, it really seems to be more stable than vista BUT
-- the RC version will stop functioning in one year from now
-- some programs or drivers might not be running yet... although it seems that 99% things running on Vista do on 7 too.
Glad we could contribute you out of your nightmare!
B-)