Seppo

Hey All... FYI, I think this route is the best way to go: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=120228 Not that the vLite method doesn't work (if done properly), but the catch is the reactivation. With the method posted via the link above, they include a utility that saves your windoze activation. This way, you don't need to reactivate your copy of vista at all. Cheers! - Seppo

DOH! Yeah, I guess I am a part of the "select means keep" group. - Silly Seppo

Not sure what the "select means keep" group is Nuhi. I'm just a dude looking for a squeaky clean Vista install. - Sep FYI, I did find this on the net which I plan on trying out now: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=120228

Well, I successfully installed a clean version of Vista. However, I'm noticing many components and extras are missing from the install. No Desktop wallpapers. No Windows sound files. No Windows Media Player. No Windows Media Center. No Windows Gadget bar. Etc, etc, etc... It seems all the bells and whistles were left out. I know when I created my vLite install disc using the WUA DVD, I definitely included all options and components. The only pieces I removed were the Windows Intro Movie and the MSN Online Service. Any ideas cmc5788? Thx. - Seppo

Hey cmc5788, Thanks for sharing. I just got a new HP laptop and it's LOADED with crappy bloatware. I'd love to reinstall the OS cleanly, but am a bit confused. Reading your post, I downloaded and installed vLite. I also popped the Windows Upgrade Anytime (WUA) dvd into the CD drive, and vLite did indeed find the setup files (and copied them to the hard drive). However, are you saying I can really reinstall vista using only the files from the WUA dvd? I'm confused on how I would license and activate the OS. Don't I need the licensed version from the HP Recovery CD? Also, what about all the hardware drivers? Will I need to reinstall those manually, or does vista do a good job finding them all? Any extra information you could provide would be most useful and truly appreciated. Thanks again! - Seppo