Installing new OS on new system?

Question

Just finished my computer and bought a new OS (Vista Prem). Just got done with the BIOS, put the CD in and restarted the machine. I just entered the product key and it says, "To use the product key you entered, start the isntallation rom your existing verison of Windows".

Problem is, I do not have Windows XP. My laptop and other desktop came with "System Recovery" Windows XP discs, which I do not think works.

Is this trying to say I need to install XP first? That is kind of retarded...What do I do?

Thanks.

Answer 1

Per
http://www.tomcoyote.org/security/workaround-for-clean-install-with-vista-upgrade-dvds/76/

Workaround For Clean Install With Vista Upgrade DVDs
January 31st, 2007 by Corrine

ActiveWin published a workaround provided by Microsoft internal documentation for Vista Upgrade DVDs that will not invalidate the Windows XP Key, as discussed here.

Edit Update: As noted in the comments below, Blair provided the original source, not credited by ActiveWin, as Paul Thurrott.

“Per Microsoft’s new licensing requirements for Vista, users are required to install a Windows Vista Upgrade from within Windows XP. When this occurs, the Windows XP license is forfeited and the Windows Vista installation process can take place. Now, however, this workaround allows users to perform a “clean install.” The process is a bit tedious, but is not hard are all to complete. Users have to perform these simple steps to perform a clean install of Vista without a previous version of Windows installed with an upgrade DVD:

1. Boot from the Windows Vista Upgrade DVD and start the setup program.

2. When prompted to enter your product key, DO NOT enter it. Click “Next” and proceed with setup. This will install Windows Vista as a 30-day trial.

3. When prompted, select the edition of Vista which you have purchased and continue with setup.

4. Once setup has been completed and you have been brought to the desktop for the first time, run the install program from within Windows Vista.

5. This time, type in your product key when prompted.

6. When asked whether to perform an Upgrade or Custom (advanced) install, choose Custom (advanced) to perform a clean install of Vista. Yes, this means that you will have to install Vista for a second time.

7. Once setup has completed for the second time, you should be able to activate Windows Vista normally. You can also delete the Windows.old directory which contains information from the first Vista install.”

Answer 2

Ding ... Have you tried the Recovery Disk yet? I've decided to not upgrade to Vista, so I have no idea whether the Recovery Disk proves you own a licensed copy of XP or not. However, based on what you've described, it seems you may have bought an UPGRADE version of Vista, which costs far less than the full version. I hope I'm wrong, but if everything were hunky-dory, you'd be up and running already.

Good luck with it.

Answer 3

sounds like you bought an upgrade version of vista
in which case re install xp with the recovery disks then install vista

Answer 4

is your new vista an upgrade version? or is it a full version?, if its an upgrade you need to install another O/S on it first and then it will upgrade it to vista, I'm not sure if it will upgrade to vista from any old windows O/S like win 2000 pro or win 95-98. Have alook on the packaging and see if its an upgrade or not

Answer 5

Sounds like you have purchased a windows update disk not a full version. You need to get a hold of a previous version of windows and install first.

Answer 6

Doesn't your system still have the old OS on it? Or did you wipe it clean? I would think the "resource" should work. If not I will bet you'll have to either call MS or reinstall it. (XP) What a pain if your do...