Clean Install with a Full Version of Vista

INFO: 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) 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.
B) A Express or Retail Vista can be installed on any one computer at a time for as many times as you like. A OEM Vista may only be able to be installed on the exact same computer 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
C) 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, and have all of your device drivers handy before you proceed.


INSTALLATION PROBLEMS:

• Windows Help and Support: KB935806 Troubleshooting Stop error messages that may occur when you try to install Windows Vista
• Windows Help and Support: KB929777 Error message when you try to install Windows Vista on a computer that uses more than 3 GB of RAM: "STOP 0x0000000A"
• Microsoft Help and Support: KB925481 This computer's hardware may not support booting to this disk

RELATED LINKS:
1. How to Perform a Repair Installation for Vista

2. How to Activate Vista Normally and by Phone Activation

3. How to Reset a User Account Password in Vista

4. How to Do a Clean Install of Vista with a Upgrade Version

5. How to Extend Vista Trial Period for Up to 120 Days

6. How to Get Out of Reduced Functionality Mode in Vista

7. How to Change the Network Location Type in Vista

8. How to Create a Vista SP1 Slipstream Installation DVD


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

STEP ONE:
Installing Vista :
1. Boot the computer from your Vista Upgrade 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.

boot-from-cd-prompt.jpg

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

Select_Language.jpg

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

Install_now.jpg

5. Type in your product key number. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: If you need help to find the product key, then see: How to See The Product Key in Vista

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

7. Click Next.

Product_Key.jpg

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

License_Agreement.jpg

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

Custom_Advanced.jpg

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

Drive_Options.jpg

11. Click 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 New and adjust the partition size to what you want, then click Format.

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

Format.jpg

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

Installing1.jpgInstalling2.jpg
Installing3.jpgInstalling4.jpg


STEP TWO:
Setting Up Vista :
NOTE: Now that Vista is installed, it is time to set it up.

1. Type in a username, password, optional password hint, and display picture for your Administrator user account. (See screenshot below)
2. Click Next.

Username.jpg

3. Type in a computer Name and choose a Desktop Background. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: To change these later, see: How to Change the Computer Name in Vista
and How to Change the Desktop Background Wallpaper in Vista

4. Click Next.

Computer_Name.jpg

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

Recommended_Settings.jpg

6. Set your time and date settings, then click Next. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: To change this again later, see: How to Change the Date and Time in Vista and How to Change the Time Zone in Vista

Time_Date.jpg

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. See: How to Change the Network Location Type in Vista

Computer_Location.jpg

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

Start.jpg

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)

Checking.jpg

10. Install all of your device drivers and Windows Updates.

11. When it is done, all you will need to do is to activate Vista.
NOTE: For how, see: How to Activate Vista Normally and by Phone Activation
A) Right click Computer in the Start Menu and click Properties.
B) Scroll down a bit and click: Activate Windows Now. (See screenshot below)

Activate.jpg


That's it,
Shawn