vista re-install

25-04-2009, 20:40

hi all,
i have tried to re-install the vista operating system on my sons packard bell pc.i have re-installed from the recovery partion everything appears to be going ok untill the system boots for the first time all i get is "please wait while windows starts for the first time" this screen sits there making no progress at all
the pc was purchased from curries christmas 2007 so it's just over a year old what i really need is a vista instalation disk but were not supplied,one as is the norm nowadays,as i think the image is not copying properly
is there anybody out there who could advise me on the best course of action as i feel that when i purchased the pc i also purchased a valid vista licence and should be able to get an instalation disk

damien c · 25-04-2009, 20:57

you could always phone them but 99% of the times they will charge you for the disc because when you buy it from a shop or e-tailer your not really paying for the disc, that much but more for the little sticker on the case.

you have 3 options

1. phone and speak to them see if you can get a disc.
2. borrow a disk if you know someone with it.
3. download a copy of the disc of the net as you say you have the code then you should be fine.

obviously if you use either the 2nd or 3rd option you will not get the pre installed software that came with the computer, in the first place unless you have it on disk and also more than likely you will loose the recovery partition, then you can just go to the packard bell website enter the serial number on the driver page and it will let you download all the drivers for it.

25-04-2009, 21:07

thanks damien,
i am at the moment downloading a vista copy of the net i think that is going to be the best option i should be able to use the activation code that came with the pre-installed version if i can access it as it is not printed on the case that is my only worry

25-04-2009, 21:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by martyh

hi all,
i have tried to re-install the vista operating system on my sons packard bell pc.i have re-installed from the recovery partion everything appears to be going ok untill the system boots for the first time all i get is "please wait while windows starts for the first time" this screen sits there making no progress at all
the pc was purchased from curries christmas 2007 so it's just over a year old what i really need is a vista instalation disk but were not supplied,one as is the norm nowadays,as i think the image is not copying properly
is there anybody out there who could advise me on the best course of action as i feel that when i purchased the pc i also purchased a valid vista licence and should be able to get an instalation disk

do you give it enough time it takes a while

I would set it to recover and go out come back a few hours later and see

25-04-2009, 21:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by zinglebarb

do you give it enough time it takes a while

I would set it to recover and go out come back a few hours later and see

in the past it only took about 20mins but i think the problem is the recovery partition as now i'm getting no bootmngr error so i think the image is knackered hence the need for a disk as i have mentioned my only worry is getting access to the product key

damien c · 25-04-2009, 21:31

it should be stuck on the side of the case it will be a green sticker

25-04-2009, 21:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by damien c

it should be stuck on the side of the case it will be a green sticker

thanks damien got it it's on the part of the case you take off i was looking on the main case
so now i can d/l a vista copy and activate it with that key i'm not worried about losing the recovery partition as i think that image is knackered anyway
thanks for your help

25-04-2009, 21:50

depends on what version of vista you are donwloading the versions need to match. There is an all in one version out there which will install the version which matches the key. Bare in mind PB use PAE versions

Did you stop the recovery early to get the error? Try start up repair when you get the image

25-04-2009, 22:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by zinglebarb

depends on what version of vista you are donwloading the versions need to match. There is an all in one version out there which will install the version which matches the key. Bare in mind PB use PAE versions

Did you stop the recovery early to get the error? Try start up repair when you get the image

i'm downloading a home premium copy,the same that was on the pc
the recovery had finished and the pc rebooted that's when the screen froze on the "loading windows for the first time please wait" i left it fo 45-60mins but nothing happened

ps just finished a 4th attempt and i'm now getting a "no bootmngr"error when i try to boot so i think the image has had it

25-04-2009, 22:05

I would say the master partition table might be whats had it. What I would try is boot with any OS xp if you have it. Delete the partition and recreate it making sure the recovery partition is safe. Then run the recovery and see. Its just a possibility as you say you can just do a reinstall

kingbuxton · 25-04-2009, 22:14

Quote:

i'm downloading a home premium copy,the same that was on the pc

Where are you downloading it from? Is it a Torrent? Be sure it is clean.

25-04-2009, 22:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by zinglebarb

I would say the master partition table might be whats had it. What I would try is boot with any OS xp if you have it. Delete the partition and recreate it making sure the recovery partition is safe. Then run the recovery and see. Its just a possibility as you say you can just do a reinstall

when you say "master partition table" do you mean the part of the hd that's in every day use ?
i have a live linex cd i should be able to boot with that and check the disk for errors i think

kingbuxton · 25-04-2009, 22:25

Quote:

"no bootmngr"error when i try to boot so i think the image has had it

If the image was corrupt, would tend to throw an issue during install, I would think. The fact that it completes and then throws and error suggests something else. Sorry, I am too drunk to remember, so any suggestions, you need a boot CD with something that can erase the MBR - there is one I use at work that for the life of me I can't remember.

---------- Post added at 21:18 ---------- Previous post was at 21:17 ----------

Quote:

do you mean the part of the hd that's in every day use

Yes. Something seems to be wrong with that, not so much the image. Seems like it isn't erasing when it re-images the drive. Clear the MBR and it will likely as not fix your issue.

---------- Post added at 21:21 ---------- Previous post was at 21:18 ----------

Problem being, you have no Operating System, and hence you can't grab a file or burn it to a CD!

---------- Post added at 21:23 ---------- Previous post was at 21:21 ----------

Hmmmm, never tried this, BUT, if you have a valid licence (you have it stuck to the case) can you ring Microsoft and get a CD/DVD of the Operating System? Just the disk with no licence? At the end of the day you have paid for it. They really should give the disk as well when they do this, I have no idea why they don't.

---------- Post added at 21:25 ---------- Previous post was at 21:23 ----------

Of course you have a PC running, you are downloading the OS, you just said, sorry I am being a dope. Do a Google on something to erase the MBR (Master Boot Record) and see if that stops you problem.

25-04-2009, 22:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by kingbuxton

Where are you downloading it from? Is it a Torrent? Be sure it is clean.

yes it's a torrent comes recomended but i'm going to try on my sons old pc first just to make sure

25-04-2009, 22:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by kingbuxton

If the image was corrupt, would tend to throw an issue during install, I would think. The fact that it completes and then throws and error suggests something else. Sorry, I am too drunk to remember, so any suggestions, you need a boot CD with something that can erase the MBR - there is one I use at work that for the life of me I can't remember.

---------- Post added at 21:18 ---------- Previous post was at 21:17 ----------

Yes. Something seems to be wrong with that, not so much the image. Seems like it isn't erasing when it re-images the drive. Clear the MBR and it will likely as not fix your issue.

---------- Post added at 21:21 ---------- Previous post was at 21:18 ----------

Problem being, you have no Operating System, and hence you can't grab a file or burn it to a CD!

---------- Post added at 21:23 ---------- Previous post was at 21:21 ----------

Hmmmm, never tried this, BUT, if you have a valid licence (you have it stuck to the case) can you ring Microsoft and get a CD/DVD of the Operating System? Just the disk with no licence? At the end of the day you have paid for it. They really should give the disk as well when they do this, I have no idea why they don't.

---------- Post added at 21:25 ---------- Previous post was at 21:23 ----------

Of course you have a PC running, you are downloading the OS, you just said, sorry I am being a dope. Do a Google on something to erase the MBR (Master Boot Record) and see if that stops you problem.

he can just boot from the vista install he is getting and run a start up repair