Looking for Vista Install Disc

  • Thread starter Thread starter MG
  • Start date Start date
M

MG

I have a laptop that came with Vista Business 32 sp1. I am aware this is an
OEM install. I am aware the laptop has a recovery partition. I am aware I
can call the manufacturer and order recovery cds. I am aware I can burn a
vista boot/recovery cd.

*****I want is a Vista Install Disc WITHOUT a license/product key*****

I have tried this:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/1033/ordermedia/default.mspx but when
I enter my product key it comes back with an error "We're sorry, the
following error(s) have occurred: No Offer Found". Probably because it's
OEM.

I have seen many posts that the disc can be ordered by going to the MS
Anytime Upgrade site, place an order in your cart and then "delete the
license" leaving only the disc for like $7. Well MS must have caught onto
this because you can't do this anymore. I have also seen the anytime upgrade
discs on ebay for $20, just seems a little steep for a (license-less) disc.

I have seen many posts that CompUSA sells them for $5. But I cannot find
that anywhere on the Compusa website.

I have seen torrent links, but I'm not comfortable with pirated unsecure
possibly virus laden p2p downloading.

*****I want is a Vista Install Disc WITHOUT a license/product key*****
 
MG said:
I have a laptop that came with Vista Business 32 sp1. I am aware this is
an OEM install. I am aware the laptop has a recovery partition. I am aware
I can call the manufacturer and order recovery cds. I am aware I can burn
a vista boot/recovery cd.

*****I want is a Vista Install Disc WITHOUT a license/product key*****

I have tried this:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/1033/ordermedia/default.mspx but
when I enter my product key it comes back with an error "We're sorry, the
following error(s) have occurred: No Offer Found". Probably because it's
OEM.

I have seen many posts that the disc can be ordered by going to the MS
Anytime Upgrade site, place an order in your cart and then "delete the
license" leaving only the disc for like $7. Well MS must have caught onto
this because you can't do this anymore. I have also seen the anytime
upgrade discs on ebay for $20, just seems a little steep for a
(license-less) disc.

I have seen many posts that CompUSA sells them for $5. But I cannot find
that anywhere on the Compusa website.

I have seen torrent links, but I'm not comfortable with pirated unsecure
possibly virus laden p2p downloading.

*****I want is a Vista Install Disc WITHOUT a license/product key*****
Duh?
Click to expand...
 
MG said:
I have a laptop that came with Vista Business 32 sp1. I am aware this is an
OEM install. I am aware the laptop has a recovery partition. I am aware I
can call the manufacturer and order recovery cds. I am aware I can burn a
vista boot/recovery cd.

*****I want is a Vista Install Disc WITHOUT a license/product key*****

I have tried this:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/1033/ordermedia/default.mspx but
when I enter my product key it comes back with an error "We're sorry, the
following error(s) have occurred: No Offer Found". Probably because it's
OEM.

I have seen many posts that the disc can be ordered by going to the MS
Anytime Upgrade site, place an order in your cart and then "delete the
license" leaving only the disc for like $7. Well MS must have caught onto
this because you can't do this anymore. I have also seen the anytime
upgrade discs on ebay for $20, just seems a little steep for a
(license-less) disc.

I have seen many posts that CompUSA sells them for $5. But I cannot find
that anywhere on the Compusa website.

I have seen torrent links, but I'm not comfortable with pirated unsecure
possibly virus laden p2p downloading.

*****I want is a Vista Install Disc WITHOUT a license/product key*****
Click to expand...


If you would like to tell us WHY you need a Vista install disk, as opposed
to the Recovery disks that you can a) either burn from the recovery
partition or b) obtain from your computer vendor, then there MAY be another
solution.
 
MG said:
I have a laptop that came with Vista Business 32 sp1. I am aware this is
an OEM install. I am aware the laptop has a recovery partition. I am aware
I can call the manufacturer and order recovery cds. I am aware I can burn
a vista boot/recovery cd.

*****I want is a Vista Install Disc WITHOUT a license/product key*****

I have tried this:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/1033/ordermedia/default.mspx but
when I enter my product key it comes back with an error "We're sorry, the
following error(s) have occurred: No Offer Found". Probably because it's
OEM.

I have seen many posts that the disc can be ordered by going to the MS
Anytime Upgrade site, place an order in your cart and then "delete the
license" leaving only the disc for like $7. Well MS must have caught onto
this because you can't do this anymore. I have also seen the anytime
upgrade discs on ebay for $20, just seems a little steep for a
(license-less) disc.

I have seen many posts that CompUSA sells them for $5. But I cannot find
that anywhere on the Compusa website.

I have seen torrent links, but I'm not comfortable with pirated unsecure
possibly virus laden p2p downloading.

*****I want is a Vista Install Disc WITHOUT a license/product key*****
Click to expand...

You can purchase a retail copy of Vista from any online or brick-and-mortar
store.

You can download an .iso of Vista from MSDN or TechNet if you have an
MSDN/TechNet subscription.

You can download an .iso with Vista repair options from the link below. Note
that this is not an installation disk and you cannot install Vista from it.

http://neosmart.net/blog/2008/windows-vista-recovery-disc-download/

And that's all.

Malke
 
MG said:
I have a laptop that came with Vista Business 32 sp1. I am aware this is an
OEM install. I am aware the laptop has a recovery partition. I am aware I
can call the manufacturer and order recovery cds. I am aware I can burn a
vista boot/recovery cd.

*****I want is a Vista Install Disc WITHOUT a license/product key*****

I have tried this:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/1033/ordermedia/default.mspx but
when I enter my product key it comes back with an error "We're sorry, the
following error(s) have occurred: No Offer Found". Probably because it's
OEM.

I have seen many posts that the disc can be ordered by going to the MS
Anytime Upgrade site, place an order in your cart and then "delete the
license" leaving only the disc for like $7. Well MS must have caught onto
this because you can't do this anymore. I have also seen the anytime
upgrade discs on ebay for $20, just seems a little steep for a
(license-less) disc.

I have seen many posts that CompUSA sells them for $5. But I cannot find
that anywhere on the Compusa website.

I have seen torrent links, but I'm not comfortable with pirated unsecure
possibly virus laden p2p downloading.

*****I want is a Vista Install Disc WITHOUT a license/product key*****
Click to expand...


Contact the manufacturer of your computer and ask them for one..
 
You know, I don't get these responses of "WHY DO YOU WANT THIS or THAT".
Just rediculous, IF you have the answer to the question, what different does
it make why I want it? If I were to say one thing, you make some judgement
and then you either release the information or you won't??? Please, spare
me. My money is you don't have the answer in the first place.
As I've said, I know I can burn a recovery disc or obtain a recovery disc
from my vendor. Neither of those are a INSTALLATION disk.
 
Retail copies come with a key and thus carry a full pricetag.

I will explore the msdn option but pretty sure that costs money to join, so
not worth the price either.

As I said I'm Not looking for a repair/recovery disc.
 
The manufacturer provides recovery discs that are full of extra programs and
sometimes cost as much as full retail licensed disc. I am looking for a
"clean" Vista install disc, that costs less than $20 without license. They
do exist. Why does MS make them so hard to get? If there's no key, it's not
piracy.
 
Thanks, I did see this too. I think it's coming down to this. I just don't
feel comfortable with torrent, but seems the ONLY way at this point. Thank
you.
 
MG said:
The manufacturer provides recovery discs that are full of extra programs
and sometimes cost as much as full retail licensed disc. I am looking for
a "clean" Vista install disc, that costs less than $20 without license.
They do exist. Why does MS make them so hard to get? If there's no key,
it's not piracy.

Mike Hall - MVP said:
Contact the manufacturer of your computer and ask them for one..
Click to expand...


Microsoft do not make them hard to get. You are at liberty to go buy one at
retail, and if you do this, MS will replace it if lost or broken.

The deal is that MS supplies the OEM with licenses and it is then up to the
OEM how they distribute them. Some OEMs will supply a generic disk and
others only supply recovery sets.

If installed by recovery set, it does not take long to remove all of the
extra crap which the OEM may or may not include.

If you have a problem with the way your OEM handles it all, take it up with
them..
Click to expand...
 
MG said:
You know, I don't get these responses of "WHY DO YOU WANT THIS or THAT".
Just rediculous,
Click to expand...

BECAUSE you MORON, there might just be another solution, depending on what
you want to do.

IDIOT.
 
MG said:
Retail copies come with a key and thus carry a full pricetag.

I will explore the msdn option but pretty sure that costs money to join,
so not worth the price either.

As I said I'm Not looking for a repair/recovery disc.
Click to expand...

I understood perfectly what you wanted. I gave you the options. There is no
free lunch. There is nowhere legitimate that you can download a full
installation copy of Vista for free, with or without a Product Key. And
that's why I said "that's all". You have the answer; you just don't like
it. Sorry.

Malke
 
Mike said:
MG said:
The manufacturer provides recovery discs that are full of extra
programs and sometimes cost as much as full retail licensed disc. I am
looking for a "clean" Vista install disc, that costs less than $20
without license. They do exist. Why does MS make them so hard to get?
If there's no key, it's not piracy.




Microsoft do not make them hard to get. You are at liberty to go buy one
at retail, and if you do this, MS will replace it if lost or broken.

The deal is that MS supplies the OEM with licenses and it is then up to
the OEM how they distribute them. Some OEMs will supply a generic disk
and others only supply recovery sets.

If installed by recovery set, it does not take long to remove all of the
extra crap which the OEM may or may not include.

If you have a problem with the way your OEM handles it all, take it up
with them..
Click to expand...

Why anyone would buy an operating system pre installed without
installation disks is beyond me. I see absolutely no benefit to the
consumer, only a downside as shown by the OP's dilemma.
Click to expand...
 
MG said:
You know, I don't get these responses of "WHY DO YOU WANT THIS or THAT".
Just rediculous, IF you have the answer to the question, what different
does it make why I want it? If I were to say one thing, you make some
judgement and then you either release the information or you won't???
Please, spare me. My money is you don't have the answer in the first
place.
As I've said, I know I can burn a recovery disc or obtain a recovery disc
from my vendor. Neither of those are a INSTALLATION disk.
Click to expand...
if someone you know has a Vista disc...burn a copy for yourself
 
fatsteve said:
Why anyone would buy an operating system pre installed without
installation disks is beyond me. I see absolutely no benefit to the
consumer, only a downside as shown by the OP's dilemma.
Click to expand...


I agree with you entirely. But, when OEMs did supply disks with every
purchase, many users lost them. It still happens today.

The OEMs don't send disks or manuals out to save money, no doubt having had
many calls over the years from people who never read a manual anyway.

Info regarding how and why is put as a link on 'Welcome' screens, but
everybody is an expert as soon as it is all connected and powered up, so
they always just click the checkbox for don't show at startup, ignoring
whatever info they may have gleaned from it.

It is a no win situation all around.

One or two of the OEMs have quite a comprehensive re-install/repair option
menu, but the users don't know how to get there because they ignored the
welcome screen.
 
MG said:
The manufacturer provides recovery discs that are full of extra programs and
sometimes cost as much as full retail licensed disc. I am looking for a
"clean" Vista install disc, that costs less than $20 without license. They
do exist. Why does MS make them so hard to get? If there's no key, it's not
piracy.
Click to expand...

As far as I am aware, Microsoft has never made any of their operating system
disks available without a product key outside of the damaged disk replacement
or Anytime Upgrade programs. Even the generic system builder disks come with
a PK and are priced accordingly. The disks are available from the OEM's, not
Microsoft. My old Windows 98 Gateway came with a recovery disk and a Windows
98 install disk because Gateway chose to ship them that way. The maker of
your computer should be able to provide you with an install disk, for a
fee---- if THEY want to. If they don't; well then you should have bought your
computer from sombody else.
 
I've seen posts saying they were available from MS, just remove the license
from the shopping cart and all that's left is the media. I guess the larger
question is why can't they? The disc is useless without a product key, so
why not widely distribute them and just sell the product key? Oh, well I
need to find a friend that has one and go from there...
 
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