Install Vista Business using the license on another HD

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ComputerMinder · #1 Post by **ComputerMinder** » Wed Aug 22, 2007 4:01 pm

I shall receive my X61s in about 2 week. It would come with Vista Business license.

I don't like all the crap software that comes preinstalled with the computer. I am removing the HD anyway and put in a new Hitach 200gb drive. Can I install Vista Business from scratch on the new HD using the license number I received with my X61s (not sure I even get the license number with the computer???)

RWDPLZ · #2 Post by **RWDPLZ** » Wed Aug 22, 2007 4:32 pm

I'm not sure about Vista, but when I couldn't find an XP Pro disc to use for my A31, I downloaded one and used the COA on the bottom of the Thinkpad, and it passes Windows authentication every time.

#3 Post by **GomJabbar** » Wed Aug 22, 2007 6:23 pm

http://lenovoblogs.com/insidethebox/?p=63

You can create your own Product Recovery Disc set. Go to: Start > All Programs > ThinkVantage > Create Recovery Media > Product Recovery.

#4 Post by **ryengineer** » Thu Aug 23, 2007 1:44 am

After following the instructions given to you by GomJabbar, you can look into this guide on how to use Product Recovery disks on an HDD.

ComputerMinder · #5 Post by **ComputerMinder** » Thu Aug 23, 2007 9:10 am

ryengineer wrote:After following the instructions given to you by GomJabbar, you can look into this guide on how to use Product Recovery disks on an HDD.

Thanks but I am really not looking for all the bloated software. Just plain vanilla install of Vista on a new HD. Will the recovery do just that? give me a blank Vista installation without drivers and stuff?

#6 Post by **ryengineer** » Fri Aug 24, 2007 12:45 am

ComputerMinder wrote:Thanks but I am really not looking for all the bloated software. Just plain vanilla install of Vista on a new HD. Will the recovery do just that? give me a blank Vista installation without drivers and stuff?

No. However newer versions of Rescue and Recovery do come with custom factory restore option, you can choose the applications and softwares you want and leave out the ones that don't appeal to you.

ComputerMinder · #7 Post by **ComputerMinder** » Sat Aug 25, 2007 1:55 pm

so if i want a plain install can't i just take the CD from a friend and use my own license which is totally legitimate? suppose i don't want to use the recovery method because i want to make sure i get a real plain vista install. would be possible and legal to take the physical CD from a friend but use the license number from my computer? (i suppose that one is located at the back of the machine). also i suppose it should be legal because i will only use it one computer (the laptop itself)

#8 Post by **ryengineer** » Sat Aug 25, 2007 8:12 pm

ComputerMinder wrote:so if i want a plain install can't i just take the CD from a friend and use my own license which is totally legitimate? suppose i don't want to use the recovery method because i want to make sure i get a real plain vista install. would be possible and legal to take the physical CD from a friend but use the license number from my computer?............snip

Yes that's very legal. AFAIK, the lenovo oem license on the bottom of your machine would work only with oem installation media.

pocketpenguin · #9 Post by **pocketpenguin** » Sun Sep 16, 2007 5:18 pm

Get yourself over to forum.notebookreview.com and look at the "clean install guide" in the IBM/Lenovo forum. There are two guides actually, each is similar.

Basically, you buy a copy of the Vista "anytime upgrade" DVD from CompUSA for $5. That gets you a copy of vista-only install media.

Then you create your backup-recovery media, just on the off chance that you want to sell your laptop and want to provide the new owner with a "fresh-from-factory" install.

Then you download the drivers you'll need and put them on USB stick or some other removable media.

Then you download a utility that backs up the Vista activation code as shipped from the factory.

Then you install Vista from scratch, wiping your drive or using a new drive.

Finally, you install the drivers and re-apply the factory vista activation code using the utility.

Works great. You wind up with a "clean" install without ANY of the bloatware, everything is licensed and legit.

Install Vista Business using the license on another HD

Install Vista Business using the license on another HD

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