R61i Windows Anytime Upgrade (Vista)

[zwarte_koffie]

Hello,

I would like to reinstall windows vista on my R61i without the lenovo tools. When I use the normal procedure, the Lenovo tools will get installed. I know this is possible with the Windows Anytime Upgrade DVD, but I don't own a copy. It never came with the laptop. I suspect it is hidden somewhere on the machine, but I don't know where. So:

1. Is it somewhere on the laptop and where?
2. Can I burn my own copy on DVD?
3. Is it isn't possible, there any other way to do this?

Thanks in advance

[Maliha Community Moderator]

Hi zwarte_koffle,

My SL400 with Vista had something called "Custom install" in recovery partition, through it I was able to choose whatever lenovo tools I needed, AFAIR the option appears only when you restore from recovery partition and don't use the recovery discs.

On similar note, if your system came preloaded with Vista from lenovo then the license on the back sticker wouldn't work with Anytime Upgrade or retail DVD since it's an OEM Volume license key.

Hope this helps.

[zwarte_koffie]

So you could make a clean install, or could yo just leave some things out? I don't use most of the lenove software, just the power manager and the back up function. All the other software is oly there to claim a lot of space and speed from my laptop

[GMAC-R60 Retired Guru]

for what you want the best way is a clean install with retail DVD then download the lenovo software you want. the vista OEM key will work with retail version of vista the best way for that is to use ABR activation backup tool but not anytime upgrade

[zwarte_koffie]

The ABR tool works with an Anytime Upgrade DVD, though it might only work for the buisiness and ultimate versions of Vista. Maybe my reasoning is a little bit to simple, but I was thinking Lenovo uses it, so it should be somewhere. Since nobody found it so far, I guess I'm wrong.

[Maliha Community Moderator]

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zwarte_koffie wrote:

So you could make a clean install, or could yo just leave some things out? I don't use most of the lenove software, just the power manager and the back up function. All the other software is oly there to claim a lot of space and speed from my laptop

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It allows you to choose which lenovo apps you wish to leave out and install.

As far as my memory goes, I don't think I've ever tried ABR but it should work with retail and anytime upgrade disk, they are quite cheap on eBay.

[zwarte_koffie]

Thanks, I got myself a Vista disk and I am goining to try it one of these days