Vista Tutorial - Clean Install with a Full Version of Vista

**Brink** · **STEP ONE:**

How to Do a Clean Install and Setup with a Full Version of Vista

Information

This will show you how to do a clean install and setup of a Full Retail or Express installation DVD version of Vista.

NOTE

A OEM Recovery installation DVD can only do a clean install. It is just a clone of the hard drive that will set your computer back like it was from day one. The installation process is basically the same though, but can only be reinstalled on the same computer it was originally installed on.
A Express or Retail Vista can be installed on any one computer at a time for as many times as you like.
The product key number for the Vista 32 bit version is the same one for it's 64 bit version. You can only have the Product Key activated on one computer and version of 32 bit or 64 bit Vista at a time. See: Microsoft: License Terms for Software Licensed from Microsoft
Sometimes people have problems installing Vista with more than 2 GB of RAM installed. If you have this problem, then you should install Vista with a maximum of 2GB of RAM installed and add the rest of the RAM after Vista is fully installed.

WARNING

Be sure to backup anything you do not want to lose from the previous OS, and have all of your device drivers handy for your 32 bit or 64 bit version of Vista before you proceed to install later.

Some Common Installation Problems:

Tip

MINIMUM SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS FOR VISTA
NOTE: For more information, see: Microsoft Windows Vista: Recommended System Requirements

Vista Home Basic

Processor: 1GHz (32 or 64 bit)
System Memory (RAM): 512MB
Hard Drive: 20GB with 15GB available for Vista
Video Card: 32MB Memory and DirectX 9 Support
DVD-ROM Drive

Vista Home Premium, Business, or Ultimate

Processor: 1GHz (32 or 64 bit)
System Memory (RAM): 1GB
Hard Drive: 40GB with 15GB available for Vista
Video Card: 128MB Memory, DirectX 9 Support with: WDDM Driver, Pixel Shader 2.0, 32bits per pixel
DVD-ROM Drive

RELATED LINKS:

STEP ONE:
Installing Vista

WARNING

Before doing this clean install, you should download and save all of your device drivers to DVD, or some other media, to have them handy to make setting Vista back up easier.

1. Boot the computer from your Vista installation DVD.
NOTE: Make sure that the CD/DVD drive is selected first in the boot order in the BIOS.

2. When prompted, press any key to start Vista from the installation DVD. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: You will only have about 8 seconds to press this key. If you miss it, you will have to restart the computer.

3. Set up your language preferences and click on Next. (See screeshot below).

4. Click on Install Now to start the installation. (See screenshot below)

5. Type in your product key number. (See screenshot below)

6. Leave the Automatically activate Windows when I'm online box unchecked.
NOTE: You can activate Vista later when you make sure it is running properly. (See STEP TWO step 11 below)

7. Click on Next.

8. Check I accept the license terms box and click Next. (See screenshot below)

9. Click on Custom (advanced). (See screenshot below)

10. Select the hard drive you want to install Vista on and click Drive Options (advanced). (See screenshot below)

11. Click on Format to format the hard drive. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: If you have more than one partition on this hard drive and want to get rid of it to make one big drive, then click Delete for each partition. Now click on New and adjust the partition size to what you want, then click on Format.

12. Click on Next when it is done formating the hard drive.

13. The installation of Vista will now start. Below are screen shots of what you’ll see during the install.

STEP TWO:
Setting Up Vista

NOTE

Now that Vista is installed, it is time to set it up.

1. Type in a user name, password, optional password hint, and select a display picture for your administrator user account. (See screenshot below)

2. Click on Next.

3. Type in a computer name and choose a Desktop Background. (See screenshot below)

4. Click on Next.

5. Click on Use recommended settings. (See screenshot below)

6. Set your time and date and time zone settings, then click on Next. (See screenshot below)

7. Click on your computer's location to select it for the network location settings. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: It is best to select Public location for the best security.

8. Click on Start to boot Vista for the first time. (See screenshot below)

9. Before Vista boots for the first time it must perform a performance check to see what features to turn on or off. (See screenshot below)

10. Install all of your device drivers, then Windows Updates.

11. Update your WEI score.

12. When it is done, all you will need to do is to activate Vista.
A) Right click on Computer in the Start Menu and click on Properties.

B) Scroll down a bit and click on Activate Windows Now. (See screenshot below)

That's it,
Shawn

**amplid** · 06-08-2008

Great tutorial once again Brink. Had to perform it due to multiple BSOD and virus problems...

Thanks a lot,

Amplid

**Brink** · 06-08-2008

Your welcome Amplid. Sorry to hear about the virus infection.

Shawn

**amplid** · 06-08-2008

Hey, this way I learn a lot, I used to have it done by the IT-guy

.

Thanks again for the forum!

Greetings,

Amplid

**amplid** · 06-12-2008

Brink,

If I have my vista installed already now: I want to reinstall it(problems). What do I do?

Amplid

**Brink** · 06-12-2008

Amplid,

I would backup anything that you do not want to lose first.

If you have a full version of Vista, then you can just follow the instructions in this tutorial to do a clean reinstall of Vista.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

**amplid** · 06-12-2008

Yes I have it backed up to a DVD. Well, I booted the pc with first boot device CD-ROM and Vista full version in it. I got the press any key screen and pressed ENTER. Then I got black screen with white saying: windows is loading files. Then the usual loader with Microsoft Corporation under it (you know the green one), and then I got that blue and green background that is in your first picture, but just the background, no text or anything.... Anything I forgot?

Amplid

**Brink** · 06-12-2008

Amplid,

Check to see if there are any smudges or anything on the DVD. Clean carefully with water and a smooth cotton cloth if there is. If there is not, then you may have a bad DVD. Test it on another computer to see how it works on it.

Shawn

**amplid** · 06-12-2008

Yeah, well the problem with that is that none of the ohter pc's in my house are strong enough for vista... But I have the 32-bit version as well, I could try that?
Ow, man, a broken DVD... Pfff

Amplid

**Brink** · 06-12-2008

That's ok Amplid,

You just need to boot into the first installation window to see if it is ok. You can cancel the installation process by closing the window without messing with what is already on the computer. No need to actually install it on the other computer.