> Reading all the replies to this post, I find Scott's reply the most
> beneficial.  In part he said:
> Buy a copy of Acronis True Image Home v10 ($29.99 @ Newegg.com).
>
> Uninstall all the crap you don't want.
>
> Install Acronis.
>
> Burn a disk image to DVD.
>
> Even with a Vista disk, it's the best way to go.
>
> Once you have your computer set up "just like you want it", burn the DVD
> image.  This will allow you to reinstall all your software, drivers, etc.
> exactly as it was the day you burned the DVD... You can also burn DVD
> periodically as your data changes to keep the image "up to date".  This
> actually serves two purposes, one to allow a complete restore of your
> total system, and two, you have a backup process to protect your data....
>
> NOTE:  Sony also includes in it restore process on the hard drive, all of
> the drivers, software, etc. that are needed to allow your computer to
> operate... You will loose those if you use a "retail" version of Vista,
> thus causing you more grief, having to find and install them after
> installing Vista"retail" version from the disk you hope to find......
>
> I have made "images" of my hard drive for years, and the image can be
> restored without issue, and I don't have to spend hours upon hours loading
> software, drivers, etc....
>
> I hope you find a resolve to your frustration, just wanted to give you a
> little more info to add to your decision making process... The more
> knowledge we have the better decisions we can make.....
>
> Good luck
>
> "Dave B." wrote:
>
>> Whoops, that should have read "See my reply to Paul Randall"
>>
>> > See my reply to PTravel. Slipstreaming is not possible for you as you
>> > don't have install media, and there is nothing to slipstream even if
>> > you did.
>> >
>> >> "Paul Randall" <paulr901@cableone.net> wrote in message
>> >> news:ednzM5qWHHA.4720@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
>> >>>
>> >>> "PTravel" <ptravel@travelersvideo.com> wrote in message
>> >>> news:O1rgE9pWHHA.5060@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
>> >>>> Vista Business came pre-installed on my new Sony Vaio laptop.  Sony
>> >>>> doesn't provide installation disks -- if something goes wrong, the
>> >>>> only option is to re-install entirely, either from an image backup
>> >>>> or from the original installation that resides in a protected
>> >>>> partition on the hard drive. Re-installation from the hard drive
>> >>>> takes 3 hours and installs all the demo crapware that takes another
>> >>>> hour to remove. Re-installing from the image backup is slightly
>> >>>> faster, but you run the risk of installing from a backup created
>> >>>> later than whatever damage you are trying to undo.
>> >>>>
>> >>>> Will Microsoft sell me a proper set of installation disks?
>> >>>
>> >>> How much time and effort are you willing to invest?
>> >>
>> >> A fair amount, if it gets me an install set.
>> >>
>> >>> With WXP, all the files necessary to build a new installation CD
>> >>> exist
>> >>> in the Windows folder and some of its subfolders, using some tools
>> >>> you
>> >>> can download for free from the net.  Google for info on
>> >>> how to slipstream an XP service pack to build a new XP installation
>> >>> CD.
>> >>> Maybe the info is already online on how to do the same for Vista.
>> >>> Learning the slipstream process is nice, because it allows you to
>> >>> make
>> >>> a CD that contains all Microsoft updates as of the date you make the
>> >>> CD.
>> >>
>> >> Is the same true for Vista?  XP isn't an issue for me -- it's running
>> >> on my other machines, and I have legal and licensed XP Pro install
>> >> disks for them. I need a Vista install set.
>> >>
>> >>> Testing the resulting installation CD can be a problem.  I found a
>> >>> cheap 5-year old used desktop of the same brand as my laptop (not
>> >>> Sony),
>> >>> and did my testing there until I was happy with it.
>> >>>
>> >>> -Paul Randall