Updating the system from scratch without the original installation media
Updating the system from scratch without the original installation media
You're not sure about this, but it seems calling Microsoft support would be a good idea since they often assist with issues.
You might obtain the Windows Vista ISO (or similar boot CD images) from DigitalRiver, much like with Windows 7. These are genuine OEM disk copies without any licensing details, allowing you to run a 30-day trial and later activate using your proper OEM key. This process is fully legal since Microsoft originally made the Windows ISO files available on DigitalRiver for public access (especially for Windows 7).
I reviewed the DigitalRiver and noticed no Vista isos left since the OS isn't being sold there. I discovered another option (link provided), but the site seems inactive now. Checked TPB again, though it remains a mess, making it hard to find anything useful. I'm downloading from the link you shared—it should be what I need. Looks like things are getting trickier. Appreciate the advice so far!
Successfully set up Vista but couldn’t enable it right away. It might help removing the product key before wiping the disk. Let me know if you need advice on retrieving or reinstalling the key.