Thread: How to re install Vista without a recovery DVD

Have you purchased a computer that has come with Vista pre installed along with loads of other programs you don’t really want? If you are looking to carry out a clean install of Vista on this computer you have come to the right place.

On the computer you want to install a clean copy of Vista on, download the Magical Jelly Bean Keyfinder and run it.

This should tell you the real CD key for your Vista licence, in most cases this will be different from the sticker on your computer or laptop.



Now put your recovery DVD in your computer, and search for “.XRM-MS” without the quotes, a file should be found called Acer. XRM-MS or something similar (depending on the oem), copy this file to a USB flash drive or to another computer. You will need it once you have re installed Vista.

If you no longer have your recovery DVD you can download this XRM-MS Mega Pack and hope there is a certificate for your oem included.

Now you have the CD key and XRM-MS licence file you can complete a re-install of Vista from any normal Vista install disc, it doesn’t matter if its OEM, Retail, 32bit, 64bit or Has SP1 integrated or not. Any Vista install DVD will work.

When you are asked for a serial number enter the one the Magical Jelly Bean Keyfinder found and finish the installation.

Now Vista is installed its time to import the licence file.

Copy the licence file you got from you recovery DVD earlier and copy it to the Root of you C:\ drive.

Now click the windows logo at the bottom left of the screen, go to All Programs > Accessories > Command Prompt, right click on Command Prompt and select Run as Administrator



In this command prompt type: “SLMGR.VBS -ilc C:\ACER.XRM-MS” where ACER.XRM-MS is the name of the XRM-MS licence file from your recovery DVD.

After a minute or so a message will popup saying it has been registered successfully. If you click right mouse on Computer either on the desktop or in the start menu and click properties you should see Windows is now activated.



That’s it, you have now re installed.

I have included some licence files from various manufactures along with the Serial number incase you are not able to obtain the one from your pc for whatever reason, there’s no guarantee any of the licence files will work with your laptop but if one is included there’s no harm in trying if you want a clean install.

Another advantage of this is you can re install Vista from a DVD with Service Pack 1 integrated which means you don’t have to wait an hour after installing Vista for SP1 to download and Install.