Re-Installation of Vista Home Premium (32 bit)

Hi,
I am facing problems with the registry of the OS. When I install new
software, I get some unusual error messages pointing to registry... When I
try to uninstall old software, it leaves traces of the software even on the
Start up Menu.

Can I do a format of the entire hard disk, reinstall Vista Home Premium (32
bit) again ?? Will it consider my old license or do I need to purchase an
additional license ?

If I do a clean installation of the entire OS, what will be the case for
Microsoft Office Student Edition 2003 ? Will it consume additional license if
I clean install it ?

Let me know.

Thanks,
Sidd.

"Sidd" <Sidd@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:05579CC7-4CAB-480F-A5CE-FDAD03C97BD6@microsoft.com...
> Hi,
> I am facing problems with the registry of the OS. When I install new
> software, I get some unusual error messages pointing to registry... When I
> try to uninstall old software, it leaves traces of the software even on
> the
> Start up Menu.
>
> Can I do a format of the entire hard disk, reinstall Vista Home Premium
> (32
> bit) again ?? Will it consider my old license or do I need to purchase an
> additional license ?
>
> If I do a clean installation of the entire OS, what will be the case for
> Microsoft Office Student Edition 2003 ? Will it consume additional license
> if
> I clean install it ?
>
> Let me know.
>
> Thanks,
> Sidd.

Boot from the DVD and follow the onscreen instructions that will allow you
to completely reformat your PC and perform a clean install.
Your license will still be valid - but you may need to reactivate either
online or by phone (no big deal)
If you wipe and clean install you will have to reinstall all your software
etc. The license will still be valid but where activation is required as
with Windows you may have to reactivate and this may be by phone.
--
Mike

As Mike stated, your license remains valid for both OS and applications.

Just a note:
If your OS came pre-installed, then it is most likely OEM. And, if OEM, then
re-activation gets a bit stickier. Microsoft does not have to help you. They
will in most cases for reactivation, but they may defer you to the maker of
your computer. Be prepared for online activation to fail. You will have to
talk to a real person if it is OEM.

I'm not sure Office 2003 allowed multiple installations (like 2007.) Either
way, it will definately re-install on the same machine.

"Sidd" <Sidd@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:05579CC7-4CAB-480F-A5CE-FDAD03C97BD6@microsoft.com...
> Hi,
> I am facing problems with the registry of the OS. When I install new
> software, I get some unusual error messages pointing to registry... When I
> try to uninstall old software, it leaves traces of the software even on
the
> Start up Menu.
>
> Can I do a format of the entire hard disk, reinstall Vista Home Premium
(32
> bit) again ?? Will it consider my old license or do I need to purchase an
> additional license ?
>
> If I do a clean installation of the entire OS, what will be the case for
> Microsoft Office Student Edition 2003 ? Will it consume additional license
if
> I clean install it ?
>
> Let me know.
>
> Thanks,
> Sidd.

If it is preinstalled it may not even require activation. My wife's HP
laptop doesn't require entry of a product key or activation no matter how
many times the OS is reinstalled from scratch, either from the recovery
partition with F11 or by booting with the dvd that shipped with the unit.

"Mark H" <jmhonzell@nospam.comcast.net> wrote in message
news:%23AYHgL7zIHA.1772@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
> As Mike stated, your license remains valid for both OS and applications.
>
> Just a note:
> If your OS came pre-installed, then it is most likely OEM. And, if OEM,
> then
> re-activation gets a bit stickier. Microsoft does not have to help you.
> They
> will in most cases for reactivation, but they may defer you to the maker
> of
> your computer. Be prepared for online activation to fail. You will have to
> talk to a real person if it is OEM.
>
> I'm not sure Office 2003 allowed multiple installations (like 2007.)
> Either
> way, it will definately re-install on the same machine.
>
> "Sidd" <Sidd@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:05579CC7-4CAB-480F-A5CE-FDAD03C97BD6@microsoft.com...
>> Hi,
>> I am facing problems with the registry of the OS. When I install new
>> software, I get some unusual error messages pointing to registry... When
>> I
>> try to uninstall old software, it leaves traces of the software even on
> the
>> Start up Menu.
>>
>> Can I do a format of the entire hard disk, reinstall Vista Home Premium
> (32
>> bit) again ?? Will it consider my old license or do I need to purchase an
>> additional license ?
>>
>> If I do a clean installation of the entire OS, what will be the case for
>> Microsoft Office Student Edition 2003 ? Will it consume additional
>> license
> if
>> I clean install it ?
>>
>> Let me know.
>>
>> Thanks,
>> Sidd.
>
>

As long as the recovery partition is intact, the "extra" activation file HP
installs remains intact no longer requiring activation. If the recovery
partition is corrupt or removed, then online activation will be required.

"Colin Barnhorst" <c.barnhorst@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:9C8A7B36-CD95-4CBF-84C4-96C379A2F88F@microsoft.com...
> If it is preinstalled it may not even require activation. My wife's HP
> laptop doesn't require entry of a product key or activation no matter how
> many times the OS is reinstalled from scratch, either from the recovery
> partition with F11 or by booting with the dvd that shipped with the unit.
>
> "Mark H" <jmhonzell@nospam.comcast.net> wrote in message
> news:%23AYHgL7zIHA.1772@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
> > As Mike stated, your license remains valid for both OS and applications.
> >
> > Just a note:
> > If your OS came pre-installed, then it is most likely OEM. And, if OEM,
> > then
> > re-activation gets a bit stickier. Microsoft does not have to help you.
> > They
> > will in most cases for reactivation, but they may defer you to the maker
> > of
> > your computer. Be prepared for online activation to fail. You will have
to
> > talk to a real person if it is OEM.
> >
> > I'm not sure Office 2003 allowed multiple installations (like 2007.)
> > Either
> > way, it will definately re-install on the same machine.
> >
> > "Sidd" <Sidd@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> > news:05579CC7-4CAB-480F-A5CE-FDAD03C97BD6@microsoft.com...
> >> Hi,
> >> I am facing problems with the registry of the OS. When I install new
> >> software, I get some unusual error messages pointing to registry...
When
> >> I
> >> try to uninstall old software, it leaves traces of the software even on
> > the
> >> Start up Menu.
> >>
> >> Can I do a format of the entire hard disk, reinstall Vista Home Premium
> > (32
> >> bit) again ?? Will it consider my old license or do I need to purchase
an
> >> additional license ?
> >>
> >> If I do a clean installation of the entire OS, what will be the case
for
> >> Microsoft Office Student Edition 2003 ? Will it consume additional
> >> license
> > if
> >> I clean install it ?
> >>
> >> Let me know.
> >>
> >> Thanks,
> >> Sidd.
> >
> >
>

I believe HP uses SLP technology. If so, activation is not even an issue.
The supplied dvd will not install Windows on another computer so I suspect
they are using SLP.

"Mark H" <jmhonzell@nospam.comcast.net> wrote in message
news:O6of5$G0IHA.872@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
> As long as the recovery partition is intact, the "extra" activation file
> HP
> installs remains intact no longer requiring activation. If the recovery
> partition is corrupt or removed, then online activation will be required.
>
> "Colin Barnhorst" <c.barnhorst@comcast.net> wrote in message
> news:9C8A7B36-CD95-4CBF-84C4-96C379A2F88F@microsoft.com...
>> If it is preinstalled it may not even require activation. My wife's HP
>> laptop doesn't require entry of a product key or activation no matter how
>> many times the OS is reinstalled from scratch, either from the recovery
>> partition with F11 or by booting with the dvd that shipped with the unit.
>>
>> "Mark H" <jmhonzell@nospam.comcast.net> wrote in message
>> news:%23AYHgL7zIHA.1772@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
>> > As Mike stated, your license remains valid for both OS and
>> > applications.
>> >
>> > Just a note:
>> > If your OS came pre-installed, then it is most likely OEM. And, if OEM,
>> > then
>> > re-activation gets a bit stickier. Microsoft does not have to help you.
>> > They
>> > will in most cases for reactivation, but they may defer you to the
>> > maker
>> > of
>> > your computer. Be prepared for online activation to fail. You will have
> to
>> > talk to a real person if it is OEM.
>> >
>> > I'm not sure Office 2003 allowed multiple installations (like 2007.)
>> > Either
>> > way, it will definately re-install on the same machine.
>> >
>> > "Sidd" <Sidd@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> > news:05579CC7-4CAB-480F-A5CE-FDAD03C97BD6@microsoft.com...
>> >> Hi,
>> >> I am facing problems with the registry of the OS. When I install new
>> >> software, I get some unusual error messages pointing to registry...
> When
>> >> I
>> >> try to uninstall old software, it leaves traces of the software even
>> >> on
>> > the
>> >> Start up Menu.
>> >>
>> >> Can I do a format of the entire hard disk, reinstall Vista Home
>> >> Premium
>> > (32
>> >> bit) again ?? Will it consider my old license or do I need to purchase
> an
>> >> additional license ?
>> >>
>> >> If I do a clean installation of the entire OS, what will be the case
> for
>> >> Microsoft Office Student Edition 2003 ? Will it consume additional
>> >> license
>> > if
>> >> I clean install it ?
>> >>
>> >> Let me know.
>> >>
>> >> Thanks,
>> >> Sidd.
>> >
>> >
>>
>
>

Okay... for what it is worth:
I did not receive an installation disk with my HP laptop. So, there's no
SLP that I can take advantage of when restoring MY computer.
When I re-installed my OS, I used a standard DVD (recovery partition
corrupt) and entered the Product Key on the bottom of the computer. That
required a phone call with a representative to activate.

Another time, after having my recovery partition restored and it going
corrupt again, I found that copying the product key and license file from
the computer before wiping it, installing Vista with a regular DVD, then
restoring the product key and license file put it back to normal (HP OEM)
without requiring activation.

Funny, the product key on the installed and activated HP computer is not
what is on the bottom label of the computer.
------
So, if you use the Product Key on the bottom label and a regular DVD,
you will be on the phone to activate.
Beyond that the OP didn't give a lot of details, so make any other
assumptions you would like.



"Colin Barnhorst" <c.barnhorst@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:CCE5A07F-AF91-4AE3-AF53-4A68F4EE1CD6@microsoft.com...
> I believe HP uses SLP technology. If so, activation is not even an issue.
> The supplied dvd will not install Windows on another computer so I suspect
> they are using SLP.
>
> "Mark H" <jmhonzell@nospam.comcast.net> wrote in message
> news:O6of5$G0IHA.872@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
> > As long as the recovery partition is intact, the "extra" activation file
> > HP
> > installs remains intact no longer requiring activation. If the recovery
> > partition is corrupt or removed, then online activation will be
required.
> >
> > "Colin Barnhorst" <c.barnhorst@comcast.net> wrote in message
> > news:9C8A7B36-CD95-4CBF-84C4-96C379A2F88F@microsoft.com...
> >> If it is preinstalled it may not even require activation. My wife's HP
> >> laptop doesn't require entry of a product key or activation no matter
how
> >> many times the OS is reinstalled from scratch, either from the recovery
> >> partition with F11 or by booting with the dvd that shipped with the
unit.
> >>
> >> "Mark H" <jmhonzell@nospam.comcast.net> wrote in message
> >> news:%23AYHgL7zIHA.1772@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
> >> > As Mike stated, your license remains valid for both OS and
> >> > applications.
> >> >
> >> > Just a note:
> >> > If your OS came pre-installed, then it is most likely OEM. And, if
OEM,
> >> > then
> >> > re-activation gets a bit stickier. Microsoft does not have to help
you.
> >> > They
> >> > will in most cases for reactivation, but they may defer you to the
> >> > maker
> >> > of
> >> > your computer. Be prepared for online activation to fail. You will
have
> > to
> >> > talk to a real person if it is OEM.
> >> >
> >> > I'm not sure Office 2003 allowed multiple installations (like 2007.)
> >> > Either
> >> > way, it will definately re-install on the same machine.
> >> >
> >> > "Sidd" <Sidd@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> >> > news:05579CC7-4CAB-480F-A5CE-FDAD03C97BD6@microsoft.com...
> >> >> Hi,
> >> >> I am facing problems with the registry of the OS. When I install new
> >> >> software, I get some unusual error messages pointing to registry...
> > When
> >> >> I
> >> >> try to uninstall old software, it leaves traces of the software even
> >> >> on
> >> > the
> >> >> Start up Menu.
> >> >>
> >> >> Can I do a format of the entire hard disk, reinstall Vista Home
> >> >> Premium
> >> > (32
> >> >> bit) again ?? Will it consider my old license or do I need to
purchase
> > an
> >> >> additional license ?
> >> >>
> >> >> If I do a clean installation of the entire OS, what will be the case
> > for
> >> >> Microsoft Office Student Edition 2003 ? Will it consume additional
> >> >> license
> >> > if
> >> >> I clean install it ?
> >> >>
> >> >> Let me know.
> >> >>
> >> >> Thanks,
> >> >> Sidd.
> >> >
> >> >
> >>
> >
> >
>

I have done both the F11 and used the supplied dvd (I spent the extra $20
for the media kit) in order to deal with a critical system error that was
occuring. In neither case was there an opportunity to enter a product key
nor was activation ever required.

Just to check it out, I used VMWare Workstation 6 to create a 64bit virtual
machine and when I tried to use the dvd to install VHP x64 in it the
installation halted after loading files with the message that the software
could not be installed from the dvd on this machine. That's about all I
have tried.

>So, there's no SLP that I can take advantage of when restoring MY computer.

SLP (System Locked Pre-installation) would not be something you could "take
advantage" of.

See this link for a summary of what is involved with "pre-activated" Windows
and SLP:
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/l.../bb457054.aspx
The pertinent section is "Product Activation and new pre-loaded PCs." There
is mention of how the pk on the label is used to rescue the customer from a
situation where the BIOS ID in the machine no longer matches the BIOS ID
recorded in the installation media. Such a situation might occur as the
result of the replacement of the mobo with a compatible replacement but on
which the BIOS ID is different. Essentially, the pk on the label is a
fallback so that the customer can use phone activation in such a scenario.
The label is required by MS through their OEM agreements.


"Mark H" <jmhonzell@nospam.comcast.net> wrote in message
news:Oa$Xe9I0IHA.5520@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
> Okay... for what it is worth:
> I did not receive an installation disk with my HP laptop. So, there's
> no
> SLP that I can take advantage of when restoring MY computer.
> When I re-installed my OS, I used a standard DVD (recovery partition
> corrupt) and entered the Product Key on the bottom of the computer. That
> required a phone call with a representative to activate.
>
> Another time, after having my recovery partition restored and it going
> corrupt again, I found that copying the product key and license file from
> the computer before wiping it, installing Vista with a regular DVD, then
> restoring the product key and license file put it back to normal (HP OEM)
> without requiring activation.
>
> Funny, the product key on the installed and activated HP computer is
> not
> what is on the bottom label of the computer.
> ------
> So, if you use the Product Key on the bottom label and a regular DVD,
> you will be on the phone to activate.
> Beyond that the OP didn't give a lot of details, so make any other
> assumptions you would like.
>
>
>
> "Colin Barnhorst" <c.barnhorst@comcast.net> wrote in message
> news:CCE5A07F-AF91-4AE3-AF53-4A68F4EE1CD6@microsoft.com...
>> I believe HP uses SLP technology. If so, activation is not even an
>> issue.
>> The supplied dvd will not install Windows on another computer so I
>> suspect
>> they are using SLP.
>>
>> "Mark H" <jmhonzell@nospam.comcast.net> wrote in message
>> news:O6of5$G0IHA.872@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
>> > As long as the recovery partition is intact, the "extra" activation
>> > file
>> > HP
>> > installs remains intact no longer requiring activation. If the recovery
>> > partition is corrupt or removed, then online activation will be
> required.
>> >
>> > "Colin Barnhorst" <c.barnhorst@comcast.net> wrote in message
>> > news:9C8A7B36-CD95-4CBF-84C4-96C379A2F88F@microsoft.com...
>> >> If it is preinstalled it may not even require activation. My wife's
>> >> HP
>> >> laptop doesn't require entry of a product key or activation no matter
> how
>> >> many times the OS is reinstalled from scratch, either from the
>> >> recovery
>> >> partition with F11 or by booting with the dvd that shipped with the
> unit.
>> >>
>> >> "Mark H" <jmhonzell@nospam.comcast.net> wrote in message
>> >> news:%23AYHgL7zIHA.1772@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
>> >> > As Mike stated, your license remains valid for both OS and
>> >> > applications.
>> >> >
>> >> > Just a note:
>> >> > If your OS came pre-installed, then it is most likely OEM. And, if
> OEM,
>> >> > then
>> >> > re-activation gets a bit stickier. Microsoft does not have to help
> you.
>> >> > They
>> >> > will in most cases for reactivation, but they may defer you to the
>> >> > maker
>> >> > of
>> >> > your computer. Be prepared for online activation to fail. You will
> have
>> > to
>> >> > talk to a real person if it is OEM.
>> >> >
>> >> > I'm not sure Office 2003 allowed multiple installations (like 2007.)
>> >> > Either
>> >> > way, it will definately re-install on the same machine.
>> >> >
>> >> > "Sidd" <Sidd@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> >> > news:05579CC7-4CAB-480F-A5CE-FDAD03C97BD6@microsoft.com...
>> >> >> Hi,
>> >> >> I am facing problems with the registry of the OS. When I install
>> >> >> new
>> >> >> software, I get some unusual error messages pointing to registry...
>> > When
>> >> >> I
>> >> >> try to uninstall old software, it leaves traces of the software
>> >> >> even
>> >> >> on
>> >> > the
>> >> >> Start up Menu.
>> >> >>
>> >> >> Can I do a format of the entire hard disk, reinstall Vista Home
>> >> >> Premium
>> >> > (32
>> >> >> bit) again ?? Will it consider my old license or do I need to
> purchase
>> > an
>> >> >> additional license ?
>> >> >>
>> >> >> If I do a clean installation of the entire OS, what will be the
>> >> >> case
>> > for
>> >> >> Microsoft Office Student Edition 2003 ? Will it consume additional
>> >> >> license
>> >> > if
>> >> >> I clean install it ?
>> >> >>
>> >> >> Let me know.
>> >> >>
>> >> >> Thanks,
>> >> >> Sidd.
>> >> >
>> >> >
>> >>
>> >
>> >
>>
>
>

Hi Sidd,

If you re-install the operating system obviously you have to purchase the
lisence once again but to avoid that and to remove the startup item Follow
these steps given below:

Goto start> Regedit>enter> Hkey-Local Machine
>software>Microsoft>windows>Current version> hightlight Run>on the right Pane
and delete the all the entries except Default and then Goto
Start>Hkey-Current User>software>Microsoft>windows>Current version>
hightlight Run>on the right Pane and delete the all the entries except
Default and then restart the system in normal mode you will not find the
startup item traces again,

"Sidd" wrote:

> Hi,
> I am facing problems with the registry of the OS. When I install new
> software, I get some unusual error messages pointing to registry... When I
> try to uninstall old software, it leaves traces of the software even on the
> Start up Menu.
>
> Can I do a format of the entire hard disk, reinstall Vista Home Premium (32
> bit) again ?? Will it consider my old license or do I need to purchase an
> additional license ?
>
> If I do a clean installation of the entire OS, what will be the case for
> Microsoft Office Student Edition 2003 ? Will it consume additional license if
> I clean install it ?
>
> Let me know.
>
> Thanks,
> Sidd.

What license would Sidd have to purchase again? That does not sound right.

"Mohammed" <Mohammed@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:50D47B46-8F9E-4AE0-9FF9-4F6CC00D0419@microsoft.com...
> Hi Sidd,
>
> If you re-install the operating system obviously you have to purchase the
> lisence once again but to avoid that and to remove the startup item Follow
> these steps given below:
>
> Goto start> Regedit>enter> Hkey-Local Machine
>>software>Microsoft>windows>Current version> hightlight Run>on the right
>>Pane
> and delete the all the entries except Default and then Goto
> Start>Hkey-Current User>software>Microsoft>windows>Current version>
> hightlight Run>on the right Pane and delete the all the entries except
> Default and then restart the system in normal mode you will not find the
> startup item traces again,
>
> "Sidd" wrote:
>
>> Hi,
>> I am facing problems with the registry of the OS. When I install new
>> software, I get some unusual error messages pointing to registry... When
>> I
>> try to uninstall old software, it leaves traces of the software even on
>> the
>> Start up Menu.
>>
>> Can I do a format of the entire hard disk, reinstall Vista Home Premium
>> (32
>> bit) again ?? Will it consider my old license or do I need to purchase an
>> additional license ?
>>
>> If I do a clean installation of the entire OS, what will be the case for
>> Microsoft Office Student Edition 2003 ? Will it consume additional
>> license if
>> I clean install it ?
>>
>> Let me know.
>>
>> Thanks,
>> Sidd.