Vista - Clean Install with a Full Version of Vista

hi, the tutorial is awesome. But i have some question. How to go into bios setup so that it can boot through the dvd vista disk during installation or any other easier way? or you can press F12 while starting? i am not sure about this. Another things, how to save my other drivers like network , ethernet card, audio etc. Coz the long method will be to search internet for the driver

Hello Roslee, and welcome to Vista Forums.

In addition to your post here, you can get them from your computer manufacturer's website if you have a OEM computer.

You normally would need to press something like the DELETE or F12 key every second during boot to enter the BIOS. Your screen will briefly tell you what key to press to enter BIOS. If you miss the 8 second window to press the key, just restart and try again.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

amazing post, helped solv my problem... i thoguht id be able to just clean install over my os but aparantly not.. thanks to you i am now using my full 4GB ram ty so much

I know this will probably sound stupid but I'd like to install xp or Vista 32 as a 3rd option on a multiboot system that already has Win7 and V64. I have a few programs that just won't work with on Vista x64 not sure if they might work on Vista 32 and going to test them on a friends system but either way.

I have 2 options:

1. Install XP on a seperate partition
or
2. Install V32 on a seprate partition

My xp disc is the upgrde one. Will that see my V64 install as valid or in the alternative can I install the V32 bit version of Vista on the same system that has V64 and use the same key or would I need to buy another key?

Actually I do have one other option. I have a copy of Vista Home Premium I never used. Actually think I have 2 versions ones upgrade and then MS sent me a DVD that has SP1 in it. Would using that be a better idea?

If I use the upgrade vista dvd is there a guide I could refer to on how to do things easy?

Thanks

Hello Bratboy,

Yes, you should be able create a third partition to install Vista 32-bit on, just like in this tutorial, to have a triple boot system. I would not recommend installing XP though since it will most like cause a issue with the other OS's not being able to startup properly afterwards.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

You're welcome Paliometoxo.

Cool, well it turns out I actually had gotten a free Vista Premium (Ultimate)x32 version w/SP1 upgrade DVD when I bought a special Students Deal from MS. This means I do have a second unused key.

My last question is will I be able to use that key with the full 32 bit install DVD or will I have to use the upgrade DVD and do the steps for Clean install from an Upgrade route? ie: run custom install and then re-run it as an upgrade off the upgrade DVD. Be alot easier if I can just use the key with the full DVD instead and save me a few steps

Sorry Bratboy1, but you will need to use the product key number for the edition of Vista that it came with. Since it is a upgrade version, then you will need to do this tutorial instead to install it on the 3rd partition.

Hello, I wan't sure where to post but I was directed to this thread when I searched for help. The tutorial was a big help (was trying to install Vista Home Premium w/4 GB of RAM and a GeForce 7950 GX2 video card and wasn't able to install). Now I'm stuck again @ step 2 #9 (Windows is checking my computer's performance) on the 2nd screen, "Connect and communicate like never before ..." It's been there about an hour now.

The computer was shipped with only 1 GB of RAM, I currently have 2 GB in, should I take out 1 gig and put in the original 2x512? Would I have to reinstall from the beginning? Also, the original mouse was a gateway model USB mouse. I currently have a Razer Coperhead (USB as well). Should I put in a standard microsoft mouse? Thanks

-Sticky

Hello Sticky, and welcome to Vista Forums.

Yeah, an hour is to long for it to be sitting at that screen. The RAM and mouse that you have should not be of issue with this. Your installation may have just gotten corrupted somehow.

Go ahead and do another clean reinstall, but check to make sure that you do not have anything connected to the computer other than your monitor, keyboard, mouse, and internet. Sometimes when you have other devices (ex: printers) attached during installation, they can cause problems.

Hope this helps,
Shawn