How to get a Windows vista copy wen you already bought it

It is a Thinkpad T61.

I was searching through the web and found this:
http://www.windowsmarketplace.com/content.aspx?ctId=404&tabid=1

It says there that I can buy a copy for $15 (I've got Vista Ultimate).
But this is an Upgrade disk as far I understand it.
Will I be able to install Vista with such a Disk without having XP preeinstalled?

Thanks for posting!

Lenovo has the instructions for creating or purchasing Recovery discs.

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/document.do?sitestyle=lenovo&lndocid=MIGR-4M7HWZ

Hope this helps.

Grif

You can buy Vista Recovery Disks but it is expensive. I have a Lenovo X60 Laptop which came with Vista Business. As I want to go back to Win XP but thought it wise to have recovery disks in case I wanted to go back to Vista, I ordered the disks. You have to be in Warranty I was told (which I am). It cost $45 plus tax and shipping which came to $51 and something. The sad thing is that I had bought an Iomega external CD drive as the X60 does not have one. Now that the disks have arrived I find that I will have to have an external DVD drive for the disks to work. Have tried DVD disks on the CD-RW drive and they don't work. So I have ordered the DVD drive and wish I knew what to do with the CD-R drive. It's getting right expensive. I mention this so others won't make the same mistakes I have made

I think the easiest thing would be to order an Copy of vista from Microsoft for $15. And it is cheaper, than getting it from lenovo.
Does any one know certainly that the windows disk is able to reinstall Windows and not only to upgrade to XP?

Thanks for posting!

I don't know what you are talking about. How could you get a copy of Vista from Microsoft for $15 when Vista Business sells for around $300?

* The $15 or so fee is only for those who registered a retail copy of Windows. Your product key was designed for use with a Lenovo recovery system so that's the route you must take.

* Yes, a Windows CD/DVD can perform a complete clean installation, not just an upgrade. The license key, though, dictates whether or not you need to present a previous qualifying version. (Upgrader's license.)

John

I am thoroughly confused. I got an email about tracking this thread and it said the subject was "How to Get a Windows Vista copy when you already bought it. I think we've gotten off the track. The facts are:
I bought a Lenovo laptop which had Vista installed on it. I don't like Vista as well as WinXP so I plan to remove Vista and install Win XP. I have a copy of XP which I bought at Staples several years ago which has a Product Key to use when installing it. I thought it wise to get a Recovery set of disks for Vista in case I wanted it back. It was costly but cheaper than buying a retail copy. The only thing I am unhappy about is that I have had to spend $100 to get an external DVD drive for the Vista disks to work. I only mentioned this to warn others that they have to have a DVD drive if they want to install Vista Recovery disks.

What surprises me is that you were able to find a modern computer, running Vista, without a DVD burner installed. If it was that low-end, that's probably why you didn't like Vista...

I was as surprised s you when I found out it didn't have a CD or DVD drive. However, I wanted it for the light weight- about 3 lbs and hours and hours of battery time. It is a good IBM Thinkpad X60. I am 87 years old, living in a retirement apartment. Some of these other old ladies- last night it was a man- burn the toast and then the fire alarm goes off and I like to take my Laptop with me in case we have to evacuate the building in which case we are supposed to leave our door unlocked so firemen can get in.I don't want a strange fireman taking a fancy to my Laptop.

For the record, if I were to purchase a "replacement" Vista Ultimate DVD directly from Microsoft it would cost me around $30.00 for the DVD and shipment.