Okay, can't seem to locate the spindle with Vista install on it, found four other spindles, but not the one I need. Called Dell, I can get another sent to me for ~20 dollars, but it'll take five business days or some such. Trying to decide if I should do it.
That's not a bad deal at all. If you needed it sooner, then you might ask them if there may be an option for faster shipping for an additional charge.
Success! Found the Vista disk. Gonna head on down to Best Buy (most likely) and get a new HD. Question, you showed how to do an install with the upgrade disk, I don't know if there's an activation code on the Vista disk itself or if it's the code string on the back of the disk sleeve. Problem is that the disk is cracked. Will that mess this up?
I was going to ask that.
If you mean cracked in the physically damaged sense then it would depend where on the disk the crack is. If it is around the central hub (a common occurrence caused by removing/replacing the disk in its protective case) then you might be OK providing that the crack does not stray onto the main surface of the disk itself. If it does, or if the crack is solely on the main surface, then there is nothing you can do as a cracked CD/DVD is irreparable.
On the other hand, if you mean cracked in the sense of software hacked, then I'm afraid we cannot assist you any further with that, other than to suggest that you buy a legitimate copy from a reputable retailer.
Yes, I mean physically damaged. I can send you a picture if you're worried. I hate it when terms like that get mixed. I was under the impression that I could do the install from the Windows 7 disk, and that I only need the Vista activation code, which would be on the disk case? I found another copy, this has happened before and I try to keep the copy from each one.
No worries, we just needed to be clear.
You would need a Windows 7 product key number to activate Windows 7 with though.
We had to ask, as you could have meant either way. I'm glad that you meant cracked as in the physical sense.
Please send a picture showing the damage. Might be an idea to show both sides of the disk in full.
The W7 disk has an activation code on the back, the front says:
The Vista disk saysMicrosoft Windows 7 Ultimate
32 bit x86 Upgrade: Pre-existing OS Liscence Required
(Product Key Required)
Reinstallation DVD
Windows Vista Home Premium 32BIT SP1
If you install your upgrade Windows 7 using an option in the tutorial below, you will not need Vista installed. Option One it the most common way. :)
Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version
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