First Post. Need some help with Vista reinstall.

NostalgicPilot

NostalgicPilot

NostalgicPilot

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31 Oct 2014
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6
Hi folks,

First post on this forum after years of general browsing. Basically I need some guidance on updating Windows Vista after a fresh reinstallation. I have a little bit of an older system :
Asus M2N32-SLI Deluxe.
AMD Athlon X2 6400+ BE.
4GB DDR2 800 MHz RAM.
2 nVidia GeForce 8800GT.
SoundBlaster X-Fi Fatality Sound Card.
500/250/150GB 7200.10 Seagate Barracudas.

I decided that I wanted to do a completely fresh install of Vista, the disc I have is a Mk1 version so to speak so no SP1.

I have an up to date BIOS (v2205) and have installed the Chipset drivers etc but I want to get Vista right up to date.

Originally I reinstalled Vista and tried to update everything through the Windows update function but this of course caused a few problems in that after round after round of updating new updates it eventually settled down to having no new updates and not even offering SP1 and therefore SP2 to get it right up to date. So I have just reinstalled it fresh again and sought help.

So really what I would like to know is the best way of updating Vista to today's standard. Should I download SP1 now and then run through the updates process? Or download SP1, install it, then SP2 and install it then run the updates process?

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks folks.
 
Nope you have to have sp1 in before you can install sp2

Then do all the updates through windows

They can be downloaded separately as standalone installs from microsoft.
 
Newer BIOS version available, but check matches you model instead of relying on my search.

Although listed as Beta it is unlikely they will be changed due to age of motherboard. And as 4 years have past it should be safe to assume they work fine.

If you plan to format in the future it might be worth getting an Vista ISO with SP2 integrated for faster start stage.

For a possible source to download from:
http://forums.mydigitallife.info/threads/48224-Windows-Vista-ISOs-(Direct-Download)
 
Last edited:
Thanks guys. I'm a little unfamiliar with ISO files so could I have a brief run through? Also if I download the files and install Vista SP2 will my product key on my original disc case still work?
 
if that doesnt work for whatever reason, download sp1, then sp2 then do the windows updates. Ive had to do this in the past when ive been fixing older vista laptops
 
KIA said:
Download the ISO and use http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msusa/html/pbPage.Help_Win7_usbdvd_dwnTool to create a bootable USB key.

Your key will work, as long as you pick the correct version of Vista during installation.
Click to expand...

Also recommend Rufus if don't like Microsoft tool.
http://rufus.akeo.ie/

The first four boxes are blank as no USB stick present.

Can leave "New volume label" blank as it gets automatically named. Just need to pick "ISO Image" and then click optical icon to its right to browse computer to find ISO.

rufus_zpsb4c29fbd.jpg
 
Hi guys. The route I have taken is this.

Install Vista from disc.
Install SP1
Install SP2
Run windows/Microsoft update numerous times.
Install drivers.
Install basic programs initially.

Also in the latest rounds of updating I installed Microsoft Security Essentials. Do you guys recommend any other utilities so supplement the anti virus/ malware capabilities of this?

Thanks for all your help.
 
I think MSE has really tanked just lately. I'm using Avast Free on my home PC, along with Spybot and ad-block Plus - seems to be doing the job :)
 
Bursar said:
I think MSE has really tanked just lately. I'm using Avast Free on my home PC, along with Spybot and ad-block Plus - seems to be doing the job :)
Click to expand...

You should also be using some form of NoScript/Javascript extension for whatever browser.
 
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