Reinstall Vista from Sony hidden folder and re-activation
Hi experts,
I have a Vaio laptop with Vista Business on, it came preinstalled. The laptop is really slow these days and has had a lot of things installed and uninstalled. I found that Sony put a folder here:
C:\WAUUPGRD\
and I believe this probably contains the files to install Vista again when problems occur.
What I want to do:
1. Create a 25gb partition from my C:\ for Windows and program files
2. Boot up and install from this hidden folder
3. Then after install, if it feels like it's running much quicker, I'll copy over files from the original partition and format that partition to use it for storage space.
4. Re-activate windows
Question:
- How do I do all this?
- When I right click on C:\ in disk management, I cannot see a way of making a new partition
- Do I have to deactivate Vista on my main version before installing the next version?
- How do I reactivate?
- I have the serial on the genuine windows sticker underneath the laptop
Thanks!
I have a Vaio laptop with Vista Business on, it came preinstalled. The laptop is really slow these days and has had a lot of things installed and uninstalled. I found that Sony put a folder here:
C:\WAUUPGRD\
and I believe this probably contains the files to install Vista again when problems occur.
What I want to do:
1. Create a 25gb partition from my C:\ for Windows and program files
2. Boot up and install from this hidden folder
3. Then after install, if it feels like it's running much quicker, I'll copy over files from the original partition and format that partition to use it for storage space.
4. Re-activate windows
Question:
- How do I do all this?
- When I right click on C:\ in disk management, I cannot see a way of making a new partition
- Do I have to deactivate Vista on my main version before installing the next version?
- How do I reactivate?
- I have the serial on the genuine windows sticker underneath the laptop
Thanks!
SOLUTION
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MJCS
Just to clarify Step#5. I am not referring to a system restore CD/DVD. That will not work.
DO NOT wipe out and format your HDD now.
Use ABR (Activation Backup and Restore) to backup your activation file first.
http://directedge.us/content/abr-activation-backup-and-restore
Use ABR (Activation Backup and Restore) to backup your activation file first.
http://directedge.us/content/abr-activation-backup-and-restore
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
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ASKER
Hi again,
I found a hidden partition of 9GB which has a restore install on BUT I noticed an article and MJCS comment about using any Vista DVD. Well I have Ultimate OEM on DVD so I guess I can use that on a new partition and when I enter the serial from my machine I guess it will just know to set up as Vista Business - is that correct?
My main worry is activation. Do I have to de-activate my current copy? How do I re-activate the new install? Bear in mind, I bought the notebook in the UK and I'm living in Spain now, so calling up to do it would be a nightmare I think... Any easy solutions?
Thanks again!
I found a hidden partition of 9GB which has a restore install on BUT I noticed an article and MJCS comment about using any Vista DVD. Well I have Ultimate OEM on DVD so I guess I can use that on a new partition and when I enter the serial from my machine I guess it will just know to set up as Vista Business - is that correct?
My main worry is activation. Do I have to de-activate my current copy? How do I re-activate the new install? Bear in mind, I bought the notebook in the UK and I'm living in Spain now, so calling up to do it would be a nightmare I think... Any easy solutions?
Thanks again!
ASKER
also... I have 38GB free on the C:\ drive but when I go to shrink it will only give me just over 8GB unallocated space, which is not enough for me to make that a new partition. How do I make a 25gb partition with the free space I have?
Thanks!! :-)
Thanks!! :-)
SOLUTION
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OR
You can try the comment of nobus to do a factory recovery.
You can try the comment of nobus to do a factory recovery.
The comment of MJCS is totally different from nobus' advice. Factory recovery is NOT an upgrade (Windows Anytime Upgrade) -> Just to restore your OS to the factory status and you will not have any activation issue.
The only downside is that you need to install all applications again and there is a risk of data loss if you have not properly backup your data.
The only downside is that you need to install all applications again and there is a risk of data loss if you have not properly backup your data.
ASKER
Hmmmm, never easy is it...
I think my best cause of action then is to:
1. backup all files (only one user and all within my docs so straightforward).
2. press F10 or ALT+F10 at start-up and just do the factory reset.
3. install all applications I need and Service Pack 2.
At least then I won't have any activation issues (are you sure of this?) and i'll have a fresh install so hopefully everything will be quicker.
I'll see how I get on over the weekend with it and apply points after that. Thanks all.
I think my best cause of action then is to:
1. backup all files (only one user and all within my docs so straightforward).
2. press F10 or ALT+F10 at start-up and just do the factory reset.
3. install all applications I need and Service Pack 2.
At least then I won't have any activation issues (are you sure of this?) and i'll have a fresh install so hopefully everything will be quicker.
I'll see how I get on over the weekend with it and apply points after that. Thanks all.
I have done my system many times with both Windows Vista and Windows 7 for clients. Sometimes I even do it on brand-new systems so that we are clean. The activation is a minor hassle but I have never been unable to activate.
With Vista you can use a Vista Ultimate to install Ultimate, Home Premium, or Business. I have done so many times.
Windows 7 does not seem to allow this however.
My process is a bit more work but you end up much cleaner than a system restore.
With Vista you can use a Vista Ultimate to install Ultimate, Home Premium, or Business. I have done so many times.
Windows 7 does not seem to allow this however.
My process is a bit more work but you end up much cleaner than a system restore.
Just to clarify. Jackman is incorrect in his assumption that you will have activation problems if you use Vista Ultimate to Install Vista Business. As part of a manual Vista Install, you are prompted for your correct version/edition. You will be able to install using your product key, you will be able to activate.
It is my worry for activation only and unless you are pretty confident on phone activation process with the MS guy. MS guys will not help if you cannot activation as you use oem media and they will ask you to contact the oem vendor for help. The oem vendor will help provided that they can get $$$ from you.
OR
Follow the guide below.
http://forum.notebookreview.com/hp-compaq/120228-clean-vista-install-no-activation.html
The rule of using oem vista ultimate DVD is that you do not input any cd key when you are asked for the first time -> the system will then ask you which version you want to install and you input back the key after install and restore the abr activation backup file to skip activation.
OR
Follow the guide below.
http://forum.notebookreview.com/hp-compaq/120228-clean-vista-install-no-activation.html
The rule of using oem vista ultimate DVD is that you do not input any cd key when you are asked for the first time -> the system will then ask you which version you want to install and you input back the key after install and restore the abr activation backup file to skip activation.
what size is your drive? if too small - put in a bigger one, and clone the old one to it
The Phone Activation Agent's do not ask what kind of media you've used for installation. I've never had to call an oem for help with this.
>>Well I have Ultimate OEM on DVD so I guess I can use that on a new partition
Take care with the install from this, although retail DVDs for Vista contain all the versions and languages (and the installed verison is based upon the Key you enter) most OEM DVD's are locked down to a single language and install version - this is effectively a crippling of the full version by altering some files on the DVD. You may find that the DVD you have will only set-up Ultimate which you don't have a valid key for.
Take care with the install from this, although retail DVDs for Vista contain all the versions and languages (and the installed verison is based upon the Key you enter) most OEM DVD's are locked down to a single language and install version - this is effectively a crippling of the full version by altering some files on the DVD. You may find that the DVD you have will only set-up Ultimate which you don't have a valid key for.
ASKER
HI All,
Thank you all for taking time to answer.
I backed up all personal files, rebooted pressing F10 on the splash screen and did a full system restore which restores to factory settings wiping C:\ completely, not just repairs. It took a LONG time but it's definitely running much quicker so the task was successful. The restore files are kept on a hidden partition of the C:\ drive for the Vaio.
Thanks again
Thank you all for taking time to answer.
I backed up all personal files, rebooted pressing F10 on the splash screen and did a full system restore which restores to factory settings wiping C:\ completely, not just repairs. It took a LONG time but it's definitely running much quicker so the task was successful. The restore files are kept on a hidden partition of the C:\ drive for the Vaio.
Thanks again
Glad to know that you have solved the problem solved. Cheers!
For branded machine, it is better to restore from the hidden recovery partition or recovery dvd. Do an upgrade or install from the OS setup DVD is the last resort.
For branded machine, it is better to restore from the hidden recovery partition or recovery dvd. Do an upgrade or install from the OS setup DVD is the last resort.