Zoie

Thank you very much! I did this and it worked! Now I have my original key
activated. I noticed that I have 2 folders in my computer with the names
Windows.old ( due to the installation on top of the first Vista
installation) Did you get rid of the first folder or the second one? I want
to keep one for a while, just in case. Since I had a lot of stuff in Windows
XP each folder is about 66GB

"Jharrix" wrote:

> What I did was open the DVD drive and closed it again and let the auto run
> feature start it and did exactly what Zim said and it worked like a charm! Do
> a second clean install and input the product key at the beginning of the
> second install and choose complete install.
>
> "Zoie" wrote:
>
> > How do you run the install from Windows Vista? Where is the setup.exe program
> > located (because it's not the one from the DVD, according to the
> > instructions).
> >
> > "Zim Babwe" wrote:
> >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > When you first encounter this prompt for your product key, just hit next and
> > > proceed with setup.
> > >
> > >
> > > Choose which version of Windows you have purchased, check the box and click
> > > Next.
> > >
> > >
> > > Once the first install of Vista is completed and you start the second
> > > install from within Vista, you'll need to enter your product key.
> > >
> > >
> > > Choose "Custom (advanced)" to perform a clean install.
> > >
> > >
> > > Once the second install of Vista has been completed, you can activtate your
> > > installation through Microsoft.
> > > Microsoft internal documentation reveals workaround for Vista Upgrade DVDs
> > > with no need for a previous version of Windows
> > >
> > >
> > > Just when everyone thought that all hope was lost when it comes to
> > > performing a clean install with a Windows Vista Upgrade DVD, a gleam of
> > > light can now be seen at the end of the tunnel. A new workaround proposed by
> > > Paul Thurrott (via Microsoft internal documents) has been confirmed to work
> > > by DailyTech.
> > >
> > > We reported on Monday that Microsoft doesn't perform disc checking anymore
> > > during an operating system install. In the past, when performing a clean
> > > install, a user could boot from an install CD and insert a disc from a
> > > previous version of Windows for upgrade compliance.
> > >
> > > Per Microsoft's new licensing requirements for Vista, users are required to
> > > install a Windows Vista Upgrade from within Windows XP. When this occurs,
> > > the Windows XP license is forfeited and the Windows Vista installation
> > > process can take place.
> > >
> > > Now, however, this workaround allows users to perform a "clean install." The
> > > process is a bit tedious, but is not hard at all to complete. Users have to
> > > perform these simple steps to perform a clean install of Vista without a
> > > previous version of Windows installed with an upgrade DVD:
> > >
> > > 1.. Boot from the Windows Vista Upgrade DVD and start the setup program.
> > >
> > > 2.. When prompted to enter your product key, DO NOT enter it. Click "Next"
> > > and proceed with setup. This will install Windows Vista as a 30-day trial.
> > >
> > > 3.. When prompted, select the edition of Vista which you have purchased
> > > and continue with setup.
> > >
> > > 4.. Once setup has been completed and you have been brought to the desktop
> > > for the first time, run the install program from within Windows Vista.
> > >
> > > 5.. This time, type in your product key when prompted.
> > >
> > > 6.. When asked whether to perform an Upgrade or Custom (advanced) install,
> > > choose Custom (advanced) to perform a clean install of Vista. Yes, this
> > > means that you will have to install Vista for a second time.
> > >
> > > 7.. Once setup has completed for the second time, you should be able to
> > > activate Windows Vista normally. You can also delete the Windows.old
> > > directory which contains information from the first Vista install.
> > >
> > > There's no telling why Microsoft left this loophole wide open with Windows
> > > Vista Upgrade DVDs, but this means that any retail upgrade DVD can be used
> > > as a fully functioning full retail copy of Vista