Clean Install Windows Vista® using the Upgrade Media (DVD) 2 / 11
Before you begin:
- Make sure computer is in good mechanical working order:
- PCI, PCIe, AGP cards and RAM well seated.
- Cables and cords firmly and properly connected.
- Dust blown out of computer interior.
- Collect all necessary CD/DVDs, product key numbers, ISP numbers and configuration info, 3rd party driver software and so on.
- Decide on what username and password you will use for your User Account.
- Pencil and paper handy.
First step: Does the computer search the CD/DVD ROM drive first for a bootable disc before trying the harddrive? And the system's date and time should be correct.
Often the computer needs to be manually set to boot from the CD/DVD ROM drive first. If you know this is already the case (and that the system's date and time are correct), you can click here to skip the following instructions on setting your computer to first check the CD/DVD ROM drive for a bootable disc. If not, continue on this page.
Now, Start the computer:
If you watch the screen as the computer boots, it should indicate which keyboard key to hit (usually the Del or Delete key) in order to enter the BIOS configuration utility. Here it's the Del key. Laptops often use a key such as the F1 key.
Please note: you computer's BIOS utility might differ to some extent. Consult the manual that came with the computer.
Use the Tab key to move through the utility. Check the date and time - make sure they are correct - if not, correct them.
Use the Tab key to move through the utility. Check the date and time - make sure they are correct - if not, correct them.
Use the Up and Down arrow keys to navigate to the Boot Device Priority item and hit the Enter key.
The first device should be highlighted .. if not use the Up and Down arrows to get to it, then hit Enter
Now a list appears. Use the keyboard to navigate to the device you want the computer to try first when it goes to boot .. here you would select CD-ROM. CD-ROM in the BIOS works for both CD and DVD-ROMs. To set your selection hit Enter.
Keep working on the options so that you end up with the CD-ROM as the first device in the priority list and the harddrive as the second.
Now hit F10 to call up the dialogue box to save the configuration changes and exit. With OK highlighted hit Enter to save and exit. The computer thus set will search the CD-ROM first for a bootable disc to boot from before it tries the harddrive.