"Boot Disk Failure" after installing new Power Supply

Okay, using a linux live boot cd in the dvd rom drive I was able to load into the linux os shell. This to me indicates that that the motherboard/dvd drives can and indeed are communicating correctly.

Growing suspicious, I loaded the vista restore dvd into my extra laptop and wouldn't you know it the disk doesnt load at all. Stupid cyberpower sent me a blank recovery dvd when I paid them $25 for the dvd and another $20 for overnight shipping. Thanks a bunch guys! Top quality work over there!

ugh....this is a neverending tragedy.

wustl285

 

Pay the price? I've spent 65+72+58+25+20 freakin dollars already to get this damned thing fixed! You're telling me this system restore dvd does not function as a boot cd?!?!?!?

I might kill something

 

How am I trying to beat the system? I am the lawful owner of a registered license to use Vista 64 bit home premium.

 

I want to be careful how this is interpreted and in no way am I questioning your integrity or intent. Here's my take and I'll check to verify specifics re: Vista and repost if I find anything contradictory.

You have a Cyberpower OEM machine and a Cyberpower Recovery DVD which isn't working. You have changed the hardware in your machine and now want to install Vista on a new Hard drive which requires a Retail, an Upgrade or an OEM Vista Disc. You may get an OEM disc to load and accept the key on your COA sticker but the first two will definately will stop you dead in your tracks. I believe the newer anti-piracy protection in Vista is also going to stop you with an OEM Disc because of the hardware change (read the small print re: the OEM version restrictions) but I'm not 100% sure that a hard drive by itself is going to trigger this.

Microsoft used to be pretty accomodating re: hardware changes that should have required the purchase of a new OS. One had to go through phone support on the product key but they were pretty relaxed with regard to their published EULA. A lot of that changed with Vista and they have a new woman heading up this department in Redmond who I'm told has a reputation for taking no prisoners.

I'll look into this further as it applies specifically to Vista's OEM liscensing but I know all the angles with regard to XP and could post some stuff that would make eyes pop and heads spin.

Regards,


edit: More after some follow-up re: the Vista EULA
Breathe easier - you can probably breeze through all of this with one phone call to re-activate and you may have success with an online activation.

 

I cannot believe such would be the operating policy of a company, but then again it is microsoft.

A question or two:

(1) When I load this OEM disc into any computer, it doesnt show up, it keeps retriggering the dvd drives to startup then startup again and 'my computer' freezes up when I try to open it up while the oem dvd is in the drive. Is this how these OEM drives are supposed to work? Or is it possible that I received a blank/damaged OEM drive from my manufacturer? (Cyberpower).

(2) If I have to buy a new copy of windows as a result of all this...ugh, its enought to make a man go mac. I paid for a copy of vista when I purchased this system, why am I not entitled to a copy of the dvd. I'm even willing to pay costs? Why am I asking you this (answer - because I cant believe a company has an operating policy of the kind you're suggesting microsoft has).
Looks like I'll be spending a day on the phone yelling at technical support people..wonderful.

(3) Is there any solution to this that doesn't require me to spend more money? My rig is effectively killed, my old hard drive dead, and I am left without an operating system. I would consider going Linux before having to buy the same software I already bought for the same machine (even if I upgraded parts of the machine).

wustl285

 

I'm adding this in a new post so as to keep it separated. Work the relationship with your vendor Cyberpower to secure both a recovery disc and a full OEM disc. My fear is that you had a hidden partition on your old drive that was necessary for the Recovery Disc to run and do its magic. Just explain your situation and be nice about it but don't take no for an answer.



edit: I've gone back and made some edits but have left all original comments intact. You may encounter a requirement to talk to MS to re-activate but I don't think you are going to have to take out a second mortgage or skip any dinners at the end of the month. In fact, if anything it appears that MS has relaxed their policy on OEM product activation (not licensing) in Vista compared to XP. As mentioned earlier, I've always found Microsoft pretty accomodating despite their stated policies. However, let me underscore the fact that you need to lean on your Vendor, not on Microsoft.

 

I have skimmed the last replies, so I hope this isn't on the wrong track.

I have been wrestling with some OEM systems lately. Last one I found would not install because of partition problems. I needed to remove the current partitions and re-make them.

Your new HDD probably doesn't have any partitions. Try using the HDD manufacturer's setup utilities to make a partition on the HDD, the recovery disk may work then.

Another thing I found was that one system needed to have the HDD set as first boot device, then I needed to press a key (F12) to boot to the CD/DVD (recovery disk). See if you can find any specific instructions for running the recovery disk.

Matt

 

Thanks Matt, will try the above. Unfortunately Cyberpower's "24/7 tech department" isn't responding all day today, and probably tomorrow (just taking messages) so the solution will have to wait until Monday.