Vista 32-bit DVD

Mez

Mez

Active Member
To install the Vista 32bit OS, do I need to have a DVD-ROM to install it? Or just a CD-ROM?
 
You will need a dvd drive unfortunately. It will be on a single dvd being a larger version of Windows. But you don't have to spend a lot to get a good dvd burner that will do everything at this time since drive prices have come down drastically.
 
What exactly are you asking? because if it's what I think you're asking, than it's completely against forum rules.

Or are you asking if you need a DVD drive, or CD drive, in that case you need a DVD drive.
 
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I assume that MMezna was trying to boot with it in a cd drive there. Since the 9x familiy of Windows you no longer run the installer for a newer version while Windows is running. You simply boot from the installation disk to perform an upgrade or even dual boot setup.
 
PC eye said:
I assume that MMezna was trying to boot with it in a cd drive there. Since the 9x familiy of Windows you no longer run the installer for a newer version while Windows is running. You simply boot from the installation disk to perform an upgrade or even dual boot setup.
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Actually, to do a "true" upgrade, you have to be within Windows. If you wanted to upgrade from XP to Vista, for example, you would have to boot into XP and run the Vista installation disk. Upgrade is disabled from the installation options when you boot from the Vista disk - it is for me, anyway.

EDIT: That may be due to the fact that I don't have XP installed at the moment. :o
 
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One thing you will see when installing Windows even by booting from the disk is the option to restore the previous version if that is archived. Many elect the dual boot but run into the Vista wants 1st primary problem.

I ran into that here when Vista was first released and tried having that on the same drive as XP Pro with Pro on the first primary. No go! I ended up moving Pro(primary OS) onto the first sata from the ide then.

One thing found when first trying to replace XP however that seems to see the best working results is starting off with a fresh primary. On the current build when moving 3 out of 4 drives into it I simply wiped the drives for a clean install of each version with XP as a second OS on a second drive now seen for beta testing a new tool only.

But getting back to MMezna the question now is what type of optical drive are you currently using? If you simply have a cd rom drive you will want to get into at least a cd writer/dvd rom combo or move up to a good dvd drive to see Vista go on. Most dvd burners are seen for under $30 if you shop online. http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2000100005+1036506653&name=DVD+Burner
 
Upgrade is disabled from the installation options when you boot from the Vista disk - it is for me, anyway.
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yeah. the key is not to enter your key , so it installs the 180 day trial - make sure you choose the version you own.

then give it your (upgrade) key in the activation screen after the trial period has expired, and it will activate fine. Some people think this is against the EULA, but i am not sure, so long as you do actually own an eligable upgrade product.
 
180days is six months. Not happening for Vista in general.

If you install without the product key entered you'll likely end up having to reinstall Windows all over again. Some time back I tried someone's misconception on performing a repair install of Vista and no go on activation. Subsequently Vista had to be reinstalled with the number to proceed.

What happens when seeing Vista go on is that the XP Windows directory and others are folded up into a renamed Windows.old folder where you can still retrieve data and setting out of that. Then you simply send that on it's way to free up drive space.
 
If you install without the product key entered you'll likely end up having to reinstall Windows all over again
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no, you can enter it at as part of the activation process

actually, they added the no-product-key feature to xp in SP3 as well
 
jdbennet said:
no, you can enter it at as part of the activation process

actually, they added the no-product-key feature to xp in SP3 as well
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That's correct. You can install Vista without the product key. In fact, I recently reformatted and I haven't even bothered to activate. I think I have 2 days left. :P

*Waits for PC eye's response* :eek:
 
You haven't bothered to activate? Sounds encouraging alright! :P

Here when going to install first RC1 and later the release at the end of January 2007 I first had RC1 on a second drive and later installed the finished product by allowing it to replace the existing XP installation as a second OS when additional drives were added in. That was a simply boot from the dvd itself to see that done.

When trying to perform an inplace upgrade you will still end up seeing XP compressed into the Windows.old folder and a new users folder to replace the DocumentsandSettings. The docs + settings can't be opened up as you did in XP with all that now seen in the users folder. That's how Vista now archives various things.

And then Windows 7 may see some new fangled file indexing system come about? :eek: That could very well throw everyone off. eeks!
 
yeah you can change ur product key through the activation window

dunno about vista bu in xp, as a meaure to stop to stop hackers trying to enter keys until it eventually activates properley, they made it so you can only change it a limited number of times

but even then there is ways

and yeah, windos 7 should be good. Who here has tried server 2008? i know its supposed to be based on vista sp1 codebase, but it seems a wee bit faster than vista on the same hardware, even with the server stuff on, and the desktop stuff like themes and media player installed.

obviosuly some tweaking went on. maybe windows 7 may be a bit faster
 
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