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Question

What are my options to reinstall Vista without a cd?

May 11, 2015 12:08AM PDT

Hows it going, having some bad luck this past weekend. My computer broke down completely, after 4 years and I can't really spend money on a new one just yet. So I still had an old computer that I never threw out, it turned on fine after a very long time of just sitting there.

But the problem is it's very slow and I wanted to reinstall windows on it, I don't have the CD anymore, but I do have the serial number from windows vista on the computer. Sadly also there is no repair my computer option when I hit F8, so I have no idea what to do at this point. Is my only option to pay for windows 7 at this point? Thank you, appreciate it.

Discussion is locked

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Clarification Request
If the computer boots up fine
May 11, 2015 1:09AM PDT

but it's just slow , why the need to reinstall Vista ? Vista was always slow anyway so why not just clean out all the old stuff , scan it for malware, defrag and just use it? A new install may not speed it up anyway...

Digger

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Answer
Linux Mint
May 11, 2015 12:27AM PDT

You would be better off installing Linux Mint than trying to go back to Vista. Not knowing the hardware parameters on your system I'd question doing Win 7. Linux is a free open source OS, many use it, myself included and actually prefer it, in some cases over Windows. I'd suggest, if you have access to another computer, looking at the UTube tutorials on how to install, etc. Or you could go to such as Amazon/Newegg and probably others, where you can purchase the load disk, the disk(s) are way cheaper than Windows, if you choose to go that way. Again, I'd suggest looking at the instructional videos available on U Tube. As for me I have used Linux for years on several systems and use the Linux Mint 17 pretty much exclusively on one of my laptops, it works very well..nice thing, it was free.

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Answer
Or you download it.
May 11, 2015 12:29AM PDT

It's a shame you didn't reveal make and model. Some like Dell have downloads but folk for some reason won't share make and model.

In this case, nod to Linux Mint.
Bob

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Specs
May 11, 2015 12:49AM PDT

Sorry like I mentioned there is no reinstall on the computer even though it's a dell, when I hit F8 there is no option to reinstall windows. My system specs are duo core 2.4 ghz and 2 gigs of ram, ye this computer is old but I think if I can reinstall windows, it will work fine till I can afford a new one. Thanks.

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RAM
May 11, 2015 12:58AM PDT

First off, 2gb of ram is very whimpy when we are talking either Win Vista or Win 7, you'd need to pump it up a bit..and then there comes ..is it 64 or 32 bit..on and on. I would STILL recommend Linux Mint, the onboard (2gb) is more than sufficient to run the Mint OS. Once installed the Mint OS can be set up to look..very much like Windows, I have fooled several friends with it...there are differences but once you get into the nomenclature and general use..it is VERY similar in functionality.

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Again, no make or model.
May 11, 2015 1:08AM PDT

I know folk want to keep details private so in this case, it's Linux Mint or another OS you obtain. Given that some Dells have a free download, why must you keep details private? But hey, I understand.
Bob

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Dell.
May 11, 2015 3:38AM PDT

I said I have a dell two times, are you okay?

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I'm fine. Your top post doesn't reveal Dell and model.
May 11, 2015 4:45AM PDT
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Re: F8
May 11, 2015 6:09AM PDT

What F8 does, depends on when you press it. If you do before it boots, it goes into the Advanced Boot menu. If you do it when it is booted it goes to the Windows menu to choose Safe Mode and such.
What are the options you see?


Kees