Whats the deal with Windows Vista Business?

Bad Brains · #1 02-19-2009, 05:52 PM

I got a bad virus on my computer a while back and went to re-format it. For whatever reason it wouldn't let me put Windows XP on it, so a legit version of Windows Vista Business was put on.

While in the middle of working on something today I re-booted my computer and now it randomly won't load back up unless I put "product key" in. I don't have the disc anymore as it was tossed out. It never said I needed a key or serial code of any kind nor did I receive any warning that this "activation period" is over.

I don't know what to do. I'd gladly get rid of Vista because it sucks, but how am I suppose to get into my computer and back up my files if it won't let me?

Jeremy Crockett · #2 02-19-2009, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bad Brains

"product key" in. I don't have the disc anymore as it was tossed out. It never said I needed a key or serial code of any kind nor did I receive any warning that this "activation period" is over.

This strains credulity, but I'll assume that you've never loaded an OS before.

You need that key... keys have been necessary since Windows 95. Activation necessary since Windows XP.

Why would you throw out the media for a $200 piece of software???

Bad Brains · #3 02-19-2009, 08:15 PM

Well it was given to me by someone who didn't want it, and I didn't want it either. I just wanted to get my computer up and running. Vista is crap, but it was good enough for the time being.

I don't understand why it didn't ask for the product key from the beginning. I have been using it over a month. I didn't know I needed anything. They could have at least gave some kind of warning. "You have 5 days" left or so.

I can just reformat the computer, but I need to back up all the work I have been doing this past month. Why won't it let me at least back up my files?

SuperDuck · #4 02-19-2009, 08:57 PM

Obtaining and using a Linux live CD might be outside of your realm of expertise, but if you have any computer nerd friends and ask them for a live cd they should be able to help you out.

Basically you'll be booting from the OS on the CD, and it should give you access to your files. Should.

(Having said that, I've been using Vista Business and it rocks.

)

rcarraher · #5 02-19-2009, 09:49 PM

Well, the easiest way to get your files backed up is to slave the existing drive to a new drive, even a small new drive like 4-6G the load whatever you want on it (XP, Vista, 2K, etc...) the back your files off. Thats probably the easiest way for a novice. The take it from there, and reload you original drive with whatever you want. The only reason that I can thin of that it wouldn't let you run XP is because you still had Vista on the drive when you tried and it would give you a message something like: "The Version of Windows you are attempting to load is older than what is currently installed." You can get rid of this by choosing to format the drive before it starts to install, but again, this sunds out of the realm of your computer savyness (is that a word?).

zuma · #6 02-19-2009, 10:36 PM

As far as getting your data I think one of these would be ideal:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16812156101

You'll need to borrow a friend's computer to do this of course but it should be pretty easy. You would basically be backing up your data on your friend's computer so make sure they have enough space.

The only glitch is that sometimes Windows considers your files "private" depending on how you set up your profile in Vista. This is easily remedied by "taking ownership" of the files. I'm sure you can google what you need.

Good Luck

mothmonsterman · #7 02-20-2009, 03:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zuma

As far as getting your data I think one of these would be ideal:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16812156101

You'll need to borrow a friend's computer to do this of course but it should be pretty easy. You would basically be backing up your data on your friend's computer so make sure they have enough space.

The only glitch is that sometimes Windows considers your files "private" depending on how you set up your profile in Vista. This is easily remedied by "taking ownership" of the files. I'm sure you can google what you need.

Good Luck

best 20$ I ever spent!

but yeah plug it in and you should be able to browse your profile and other files and pull them off, you'd pretty much do the same thing with a linux live CD and a pen drive.

also AVG Free antivirus software.

Also when you have everything backed up and your installing the new OS make two separate partitions, one to store your OS (I use about 10g for some head room) and the rest for you to save your data to, that way your OS can take poops all day and your data is safe.

Kenbuntu · #8 02-20-2009, 08:52 PM

have you tried booting into safe mode? This should allow you to get into windows, and backup your files.

Next, if you dont like vista, and dont have legit copies of an OS, you can download Windows 7 build 7022 ( i think 7032 might be out?) Like vista, but with some cool new features. And its fast, and pretty reliable. Now i know some of you will say OMFG beta's done on microsoft.com. BUT, if you look online some sites should have it for download, and when you go through with "downloading" the beta on microsofts site, they tell you a Key. Write this key down. It makes 7 active till August 1st (my birthday). Hopefully by then, theyll have a second round of beta in which you can just re install Windows 7.

Or you can just get an OS cd.

MJ5150 · #9 02-20-2009, 08:58 PM

Don't call Vista crap because you got a warez version of it and now you have to pay for it.

-Mike

Bad Brains · #10 02-20-2009, 11:41 PM

Found the info I needed, problem solved.

Vista is still crap though. Microsoft really half-assed this one. It works fine for what I do though, so whatever.

I sometimes wonder if I had a Mac to begin with, I wouldn't have gotten that virus, and I wouldn't have gone through all this crap.