Reinstalling Vista

[andy112285]

I bought a Novatech pc with Vista about a year ago and I want to reformat it and re-install Vista.

I have absolutely no idea to do this with out the CD and after a few searches on Google I can't find any answers so I'm asking here. I have checked all the paper work I got with the PC when I bought it and the PC User Guide I got with the machine explains how to re-install XP which is of no use at all. I understand the files are on a hidden partition on the hard drive but I can't find any way to access them or start the re-install.

Any help is appreciated,

Andy.

[Asce]

You would need to purchase a copy of Vista inorder to install it.

[andy112285]

Even though I already have it on my machine?

There isn't any option to just reformat or reinstall?

[Asce]

Opps my mistake. While the PC is booting press and hold F8 to give you the screen with the safe mode options. You should have an option to restore pc/fix pc, that would reinstall the pc back to how it was before you got it.

If F8 doesnt give you the screen let it boot to the vista loading and hold the power button down. And boot back up, it should give you the option

[andy112285]

Thanks a lot, I will try this tomorrow after work.

[Hayate]

Hi,

I need to reinstall my PC - it's been nearly 2 years since I bought it and it hasn't had a single reinstall yet. I have tried pressing F8, selecting Repair Your Computer and hitting enter but it logs in as normal. How else can I make it reinstall without buying Windows again?

I have a feeling that SPORE, which comes with some kernel level DRM nonsense, screwed this up.

This is why I think it's silly to not have installation media - if my hard disk were to explode or something it would be just as impossible to reinstall.

[Baggpuss]

You wont have to buy windows again. Windows allows you to reinstall it several times, just go through the normal setup as if you were installing it (will require you to format the drive so backup any data if you need it).

Saying that tho, why dont you have the insallation media? I havent heard of any computer being sold without some kind of recovery software or an oem disk.

Also the DRM stuff wont break windows, ive got several DRM games on here and have had no issues.

[Hayate]

Novatech stopped supplying installation media with OEM PCs, in "favor" of the hidden partition.

[snakedoc]

Perhaps Novatech can give you a boot floppy disk of some sort to access the hidden install partition. Did you get a recovery disk with the PC?

[Baggpuss]

Really? dont suppose you know anyone with a vista install cd then? because you could use that combined with your key (which should be on a sticker somewhere) to install it. I know i had to do that for the laptop im using atm because i didnt have the recovery disk with me at the time, so just used an ultimate disk (where this os is premium) and because of the reg code it sorted it out for me.

[Hayate]

Perhaps Novatech can give you a boot floppy disk of some sort to access the hidden install partition. Did you get a recovery disk with the PC?

No CD came with the PC, nor any floppies. It'd be useless if there was a floppy though, as it doesn't have a floppy disk drive.

I'll see if I can lay my hands on an install CD though. If you're right about the product key sorting it out, it should be fine if I just copy someone else's CD.

[Baggpuss]

Its unlikely that you will be able to just copy it (as far as im aware) just borrow it for a couple hours and run the install using it.

[Nox]

make sure you can find the product key sticker!! and it hasn't been smudged/torn over the past year.

Nox

[Baggpuss]

Haha yeah without that number your pretty stuffed, might as well just install windows 7 for a few free months

[system7]

Straight from the horses mouth:

All Novatech PC’s and Notebooks pre installed with Vista are preloaded with a hidden recovery partition which contains all the files and data needed to restore your PC to a Factory Standard, there is no recovery disk is supplied. The “Windows Recovery Environment” (WinRE) is designed to try and help you repair your computer if a problem should occur. We have added another section to WinRE so the end user can restore the pc back to our Factory Standard if needed.

PLEASE NOTE: this is a FULL system recovery and will wipe ALL END USER DATA
(this includes software and all documents).

To restore your computer to factory settings please follow this procedure.

1: When the PC is powered on, Press F8 immediately after the splash screen
disappears (this may say ASUS, FOXCONN or GIGABYTE).

2: Use the arrow keys to choose “REPAIR YOUR COMPUTER” and press ENTER.

3: Choose ‘United Kingdom Extended’ then click next.

4: Input your username and password and click OK.

5: Finally click on Restore to Novatech factory settings and follow the
on-screen instructions.

There is also a Windows Vista Recovery DVD available for purchase for £19+vat if needed. Please contact our sales team for more information. This is only needed if the end user replaces/formats the Primary hard disk.

[Hayate]

As I mentioned, I choose Repair Your Computer, press Enter, and then Vista will boot as normal, instead of doing whatever it's supposed to. I already located the product key sticker, it's completely legible so no problems there. I'll see if I can borrow an install disc anyhow.

[Mungo]

If you have a valid product key, then you can legally torrent it

[system7]

I would think Customer services will help you on this. I assume you are using a conventional purple plug PS/2 keyboard. USB keyboard might have issues.