Hey there.

I was just wondering if it's possible to format or atleast re-install
Windows Vista on my Laptop without the CD and Serial Number? (unless
that's the serial number under my computer, hehe.)

I really want to do this, but I have no clue how-to and what's needed
and such.

I was hoping for some answers from you guys, so any reply is welcome :)
(oh, and if you need any information about my computer that might help
you answer my question, feel free to ask)

--
Ladiesman541

--

Mike Hall - MVP Windows Experience
http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/

Brand? like in what type of laptop it is?

It's a Toshiba (it also says "Satellite" on it, but might not have any
importance)
it also says "Toshiba Satellite L300D - 11A System Unit under it.

I also went to my control panel and into my System now, and I found my
Windows Product ID. it would be wise of me to write this down for later,
right?

--
Ladiesman541

Look under the "Using Toshiba HDD Recovery Utility from the recovery
partition" at the link below, and it will help show you how to restore
the "original factory image".

'How to use the Toshiba HDD Recovery Utility'
(http://aps2.toshiba-tro.de/kb0/HTD7C02140000R01.htm)

I would recommend that you backup anything that you do not want to lose
first though. This will format your hard drive and wipe everything out.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

Ladiesman541;1075988 Wrote:

'*MS MVP - Windows Desktop Experience*'
(https://mvp.support.microsoft.com/profile=87AD1AFC-4723-4479-A555-AD6...)
*There are no dumb questions, just the people that do not ask
them.*
'*::Windows 7 Forums::*' (http://www.sevenforums.com/) *and*
'*::Vista Forums::*' (http://www.vistax64.com/)
*Please post feedback to help others.*

thanks so much! I really appreciate it :)

one more question, though, what would you suggest I take back-up on?
I mean like, will ALL my programs be deleted, including internet
explorer, Mozilla Firefox, to the smallest programs like calculator and
paint?

And I have some CD-R80 cds with 700MB on each. do they work to put
back-up files on?

--
Ladiesman541

A factory restore will make your laptop like it was the first day that
you turned it on. Anything that you installed since that day will not be
there. Programs can just be reinstalled, you would want to backup your
personal files like your music, documents, etc....  to copy them back
afterwards.

Ladiesman541;1075993 Wrote:

'*MS MVP - Windows Desktop Experience*'
(https://mvp.support.microsoft.com/profile=87AD1AFC-4723-4479-A555-AD6...)
*There are no dumb questions, just the people that do not ask
them.*
'*::Windows 7 Forums::*' (http://www.sevenforums.com/) *and*
'*::Vista Forums::*' (http://www.vistax64.com/)
*Please post feedback to help others.*

thanks so much! I will attempt to do this now, hopefully I won't fail.
^^

--
Ladiesman541

You're welcome. Please let us know how it went for you.

Ladiesman541;1076259 Wrote:

'*MS MVP - Windows Desktop Experience*'
(https://mvp.support.microsoft.com/profile=87AD1AFC-4723-4479-A555-AD6...)
*There are no dumb questions, just the people that do not ask
them.*
'*::Windows 7 Forums::*' (http://www.sevenforums.com/) *and*
'*::Vista Forums::*' (http://www.vistax64.com/)
*Please post feedback to help others.*

I tried to do as the guide said, but it didn't work.

I shut down my computer, held the 0 button while starting up my
computer, but I never got that meny I was supposed to.

I tried several times, but without any luck.

I tried pressing F2 and F12 when starting up to see if it was in there,
but nothing interesting there either.

I really appreciate the help you're giving me and I hope you can help
me further too.

--
Ladiesman541

See if this may work for you instead.

- Turn the PC back on and hit the F8 key repeatedly until the
  '*_Advanced_Boot_Options_*'
  (http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/88009-advanced-boot-options.html)
  screen appears.
- Select *Repair Your Computer* if you are not already on it and then
  press ENTER
- Choose your Language and click OK
- On the "System Recovery Options Screen" click "Restore Application"
  which is the last option.
- Follow the on-screen instructions
- When prompted, click on "Full Factory Recovery"
- Click "Next"
- Click "Yes"
- You will notice for a while it seems like nothing is happening,
  give it some time.
- After some minutes, recovery will complete and you click "Finish"

--
Brink

'*MS MVP - Windows Desktop Experience*'
(https://mvp.support.microsoft.com/profile=87AD1AFC-4723-4479-A555-AD6...)
*There are no dumb questions, just the people that do not ask
them.*
'*::Windows 7 Forums::*' (http://www.sevenforums.com/) *and*
'*::Vista Forums::*' (http://www.vistax64.com/)
*Please post feedback to help others.*

I'll try that now, thanks :)

--
Ladiesman541

I tried again and this time it actually worked.
Now I have re-downloaded everything I needed and re-uploaded my back-up
files to my computer. feels great! THANKS! :D

--
Ladiesman541

Ladiesman541,

I'm happy to hear that you got it reinstalled and working again. :)

--
Brink

'*MS MVP - Windows Desktop Experience*'
(https://mvp.support.microsoft.com/profile=87AD1AFC-4723-4479-A555-AD6...)
*There are no dumb questions, just the people that do not ask
them.*
'*::Windows 7 Forums::*' (http://www.sevenforums.com/) *and*
'*::Vista Forums::*' (http://www.vistax64.com/)
*Please post feedback to help others.*

mhm :)
if you've got time to check it out, I made a thread in the "Drivers"
forum.
if you could be of any assistance in those matters, I'd be happy for a
reply :P

--
Ladiesman541