Oem reinstall

kool1zero · 26 Jul 2011

I never mentioned a seven upgrade ( although if it were my choice....) and I only mentioned that I'd seen disks for xp that said they only worked for dell or hp.

Long story short: I have a HP computer with vista too full of spyware to be worth recovering. I want to do a fresh install but I don't wanna buy a new license. Just use the copy that came with it, but I dont have a disc that came with it, just a disc for the same edition of vista.

Will it work with the coa key code on the machine?

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gregrocker · 27 Jul 2011

A Vista retail installer should work providing it is the same version as on the COA sticker.

Follow these steps for clean reinstalling Win7 which can also work the same for Vista: Reinstalling Windows 7

kool1zero · 27 Jul 2011

Mkay, sorry about the confusion guys. A install won't be a problem, I just wanted advice on if the key needed some special Oem disc or if vista home premium is still vista home premium. Thanks!

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Bill2 · 27 Jul 2011

Vista home premium is still vista home premium. The COA key will work fine, at most you may need a phone activation.

Activate Windows 7 by Phone

Bare Foot Kid · 27 Jul 2011

Have a look at the Vista stuff in this tutorial linked below, it's not quite the same as Windows 7.

Clean Install : Factory COA Activation Key

haxcid · 28 Jul 2011

I just have to ask... what spyware does the system have? I have seen many spyware be removed by just deleting the effected profile and recreating it.

Can you log into the laptop as with the adminstrators account or another account that has administrative rights? If so is that account affected as well?

If it is not then you can back up the data from the effected account and remove it then create it new. I rarely find a need to wipe and clean install because of spyware.

Is it that spyware that pops up and looks like a fake antivirus? if so removing the profile and creating it again will most certainly fix the problem...

kool1zero · 28 Jul 2011

I dunno. She didn't do anything or tell me about it until her computer was trashed. It won't boot into vista or recovery for it. And the filesystem is corrupted along with the registry.
She says the last time it started up it just showed a loading bar, then died.

I'm betting it put its own OS on there, killed windows dead. Loaded some instructions in the cpu then let the CPU kill the OS.

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biggles1000 · 28 Jul 2011

Yeah, I had a virus on XP once like that :/ The start bar went along, then the computer just rebooted itself and went round in a loop. I tried the repair part of the disc to no avail and only choice then was fresh install :/

gregrocker · 28 Jul 2011

See if you can boot into Safe Mode with networking to install and run a full scan with Malwarebytes

If not Download, burn to CD or write to flash stick, then boot to run a full scan with Microsoft Standalone System Sweeper

If you are able to clean up infection but OS still will not start, boot the install DVD Repair console or Repair CD to run Startup Repair - Run 3 Separate Times which works the same as with Win7. You may also be able to access the System Recovery Options on the DVD or REpair Cd by tapping F8 at boot.

As a final attempt before recovering or reinstalling, I would from the DVD/CD Command Line run SFC -SCANNOW Run in Command Prompt at Boot.

You can copy out your files if needed using Vista DVD or Repair CD by this method: Copy & Paste - in Windows Recovery Console

kool1zero · 28 Jul 2011

It wouldn't boot to vista cd or anything. It's registry is screwed. And at this point I've got her sold on the speed of a nice fresh install.
Plus disable some windows features she doesn't use and it should run spectacularly

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