Create Vista install disc from T61 load?

[Nolonemo]

I'm awaiting the delivery of a T61 with Windows Vista Home Premium preinstalled. My usual practice with computers has been to image the factory load, save the driver folder, format and repartition the HD, and then do a clean install of the OS and drivers. Will I be able to create a plain vanilla Vista install disc from the T61, or will I be limited to creating recovery discs for the entire preload?

Thanks.

EDIT

"Search before posting"...sigh. I see in another thread that I can perform Custom Factory Restore from Rescue and Recovery and choose what apps to install, which I guess will accomplish what I want.

[hellosailor]

My understanding is that you can only make the recovery discs for the factory image load. And you have to do that as a menu item (application) from within Vista. MS is forcing vendors to do it this way, they've said so flat out.

OTOH if you plead nicely, and play phone tag during business hours, you can buy "replacement media" from Microsoft. As in, "The kids played frisbee with my discs, then taught the dog to fetch it. isn't that cute?"

Buy a replacement Vista retail disc, which comes with no product keys, and you should be able to install from that--using your OEM product keys.

MS typically sells replacement media for $10 shipped postal, or a higher price shipped courier (which is sometimes the only way they'll ship.)

What MS doesn't understand is that their policy forces users to look "out of channel" for discs, and at that point--they'll usually find outright counterfeit product, exactly what MS should be discouraging. Hmmm...Take foot, shoot, repeat?

[icantux]

Well, you could always create a fresh DVD of Vista for use in a clean install using this method - I've used it and it works just peachy!

How to make your own Vista bootable DVD

Hope that helps!

[hellosailor]

That article only seems to tell you how to convert the PAID DOWNLOAD VERSION of Vista into a DVD version.

Did I misread them? It doesn't seem to apply at all to someone who has any other version (i.e. OEM installed) of Vista. Or are those same files tucked away in the Lenovo restore partition someplace?

[icantux]

If you read the article carefully and click on one link, you'll find the files necessary to make a Vista DVD..

In case you missed the link for the files described in the article, then here it is - LINKY

Download those three files and then follow the procedure of the earlier link I posted, you'll have a bootable DVD of Vista on hand.

Keep in mind that ALL copies of Vista you see in the stores are ALL the same thing! What activates a particular version of Vista is the key - the disks in the packages are ALL THE SAME. So a particular key opens either Vista home, Home Premium, Business, full-blown Ultimate, etc... What MS sells in those funky clear plastic packages is a KEY and LICENSE to the version of Vista you're getting ... not the disk itself.

[hellosailor]

Click on the direct links:

You'll get HTTP ERROR 403, ACCESS FORBIDDEN.

Digital River doesn't release those files to the general public, you have to BUY access.

Ditto for the main link they provide, that's an Amazon purchase.

At least, that's what I've found in their links.

[icantux]

Whoa... Sorry 'bout that, I was under the assumption the links still worked.

Funny, cuz I just used those links not a month ago to create a Vista DVD using those same files from that website. Weirder still is that the links lead to MSFN related site for download. I suppose MS really doesn't want to distribute "anytime upgrade" anymore. Bummer.

I suppose some googling will be in order now...

Notice the discussion here on the subject

[carbon_unit]

Still, Make the recovery discs. They might come in handy when you go to sell the unit.