I have a lenova n500 laptop. When i log in it says i need to reactivate my OS (Windows Vista). I have a Vista CD which I am trying to install. When i insert this nothing comes up. I have run out of ideas.

You need to reload your OS or find your password. There is no way to recover it without a good password. There is an option to remove the password all together, but you will still need to reload your OS. Look up Hirans Boot CD. Unless you are an IT person, you will need a professional to run it. This is spotty on Vista as its an old OS. Resetting Windows Password HBCD Fan Discussion Platform

You can install xp on a vista laptop, you will need an xp install cd and you will need to backup your data (it will be erased in the downgrade process). As for the drivers, go to your laptops manufactures site. They will have a support section for your laptop model where you can see if there are drivers for xp. If you have the hardware that will support windows 7, I would go with that. Xp is slow and no longer supported by Microsoft as of April 2014, which poses a security risk. Windows 7 will be supported for a while and is faster and more stable than xp or vista.

hi if you are using windows vista/7 recovery disk to reinstall OS, then while choosing drive there must be advance option below it..choose it and then delete all the drives and then create new partitions from all the unallocated space..and then choose the drive from newly created partition to reinstall OS..

to backup all imp. data before doing so use UBUNTU LIVE CD..then do the clean install of vista/7

if the above trick doesnt work then download the GPARTED LIVE CD to repartition your HD..
use GPARTED live to boot.
choose the HDD
delete all the parition
create new partition (NTFS)
hit APPLY
shutdown GPARTED LIVE.
install windows vista/7 thorgh reinstall DVD.

If your Windows Vista computer has encountered the dreaded "BOOTMGR is missing" error, you aren't alone. If the problem isn't hardware related you can fix it with relative ease as long as you have a Windows Vista DVD handy.Boot off the Windows Vista DVD and then click Next at the first prompt:You should see a link in the lower left-hand side for "Repair your computer"The installation process will attempt to find your Vista installation directory. If there's more than one in the list, select the correct one and then use the Next button again.Click the first link for "Startup Repair".The installation process will repair the system, and then prompt for you to reboot.Alternatively you could have chosen the Command Prompt option instead, and use the following command to fix the boot options only:
bootrec /fixboot.

At this point you should be able to reboot your computer, remove the DVD and everything should be working.

Hi there,

You need the Installer CD to install and recover you Windows OS.

You can purchase for a new Windows Vista Installer or you can barrow from a friend.

Hope this initial info/idea helps. Let me know for further assistance.

Thank you for using fixya.

If windows Vista OS isnt loading then your Operating System ( OS ) is corrupted. Try running the installation disk and repairing your system. If this fails you will need to do a FULL operating system re-installation.

Check the driver for the webcam on the manufacturers website, most drivers for vista and xp are found on the websites.

try to boot ur laptop with disc manager cd or win XP.
if doesnt works then try win 98 cd and delete ur C:/ partiton and install new vista

in order to format the machine yo need to have the os cd and then the drivers cd also and then put the os cd and it will give you the instructions and then run the wizard , so that will work after that you have to put the drivers cd and then install the drivers .

If you have windows vista then try to fix it by going to :

http://www.technologystory.net/2009/02/24/windows-vista-tips-repair-corrupt-vista-files/

Plz Check

http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista
/re-enable-hibernate-option-in-windows-vista/