Vista64 Re-install Advice

[Simian]

Guys..

I'm starting to get some annoying problems with my HP laptop (HDX16 in my Sig), most notably this http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18029480 and I now think its probly time to re-install Vista64 and start again!..

Would you recommend re-installing from the 'Image Discs' I made when I got the Laptop, or the Vista64 Home-Pro SP2 I got from Tech-net when we all had access last month.

I've gone over to HP's website and downloaded all the relevant drivers for all the bits in my laptop.. though I'd obviously not need these if I used the HP discs.

Would I actually need all that Crap?, Would Vista pick up the Drivers from the Web for me??.

I'm a bit dubious about installing from scratch for a few reasons:

1) re-registering Vista with MS.
2) re-registering Office 2007 with MS.
3) re-registering AnyDVD-HD without paying again.
4) getting my laptop all set up how I have it.

Its the customisation to my 'Comfort' settings I'm the most not looking forward to!.. it takes aaaages to do and its never the same!..

Failing that!... is there anyone with a similar specced Laptop (or even the Same Laptop) thats had (or having) the same problem!? (explorer.exe at 50% for aaages!).. if you sorted it.. how did you do it??..

Cheers
Sim

 

[TheVoice]

If the Image Discs will also install other software/bloatware etc, don't bother with them. Rather use your fully clean copy of Vista, that way you're installing all the latest drivers straight away. Then run Windows Update a few times and all should be fine.

Regarding your other concerns, 1 and 2 shouldn't be a problem, there's a possibility you might have to phone the activation help centre if it won't allow you to do it online, in which case you just tell them you're re-installing Vista/Office due to a system problem.

4 is probably the most annoying, doesn't matter how thorough I am there's always one small setting that I forget to check and the re-install never feels quite right. Took me a good few weeks to get used to my mouse being different because I couldn't get it to be the same as it was, feels horrible at first but you soon get used to it, so don't worry too much.