[Jacee]

Make a rescue kit with Trinity.
"Trinity Rescue Kit or TRK is a free live Linux distribution that aims specifically at recovery and repair operations on Windows machines. It is possible to boot TRK in three different ways:
-as a bootable CD which you can burn yourself from a downloadable isofile or a self burning Windows executable
-from a USB stick/disk (optionally also a fixed disk), installable from Windows or from the bootable TRK cd (which is easier and safer)"

http://trinityhome.o...ng=en&locale=en

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This can be done on XP, Vista or Windows 7.

The very first part of the tutorial has this:

NOTE: You will need to have a Vista ISO file to do this. If you do not have one, then you can use the Create image file from disc feature of the free program ImgBurn with your Vista installation DVD to create the ISO file.

So the first thing you need to do, on any computer with a working DVD drive is create the Vista ISO file from your Vista install DVD, using the ImgBurnprogram Brink mentioned.

Once you have ImgBurn installed, put your Vista install DVD in the drive. Cancel any popup window you get.

Start ImgBurn and select Create image file from disc. Write the iso file somewhere that you will be able to find it for the rest of the tutorial.

[Ztruker]

This can be done on XP, Vista or Windows 7.

The very first part of the tutorial has this:

NOTE: You will need to have a Vista ISO file to do this. If you do not have one, then you can use the Create image file from disc feature of the free program ImgBurn with your Vista installation DVD to create the ISO file.

So the first thing you need to do, on any computer with a working DVD drive is create the Vista ISO file from your Vista install DVD, using the ImgBurnprogram Brink mentioned.

Once you have ImgBurn installed, put your Vista install DVD in the drive. Cancel any popup window you get.

Start ImgBurn and select Create image file from disc. Write the iso file somewhere that you will be able to find it for the rest of the tutorial.

[CMac79]

OK, and if I don't have a Windows Vista DVD?

[Ztruker]

Sorry, I forgot you don't have a Vista Install DVD. How about creating a set of recovery discs from Vista? See here: Recovery Disk Creation for Dell® XPS MI530

With this you bot the DVD and wipe the drive during install. Should give you a nice, clean system.

Also look at Jacee's suggestion.

[CMac79]

Thanks, Ztruker.
But, the computer I want to totally wipe clean and reinstall Vista on doesn't have a working disc drive.

So, in summary, I want to wipe and reinstall Vista on a computer that doesn't have a working disc drive, and I don't have a Vista installation DVD.

Feedback I'm getting makes me think it's a two-step process:
1. Create the Vista ISO file so I can make a thumb drive key, then
2. Reinstall Vista on the computer using the thumb drive key.

Is this possible to do? How do I obtain a Vista ISO file? We bought the computer 3 years ago from Dell.com and it didn't come with an installation DVD. But, isn't there a way to create the ISO file from the computer? Also, is it possible to create the ISO file from another working computer running Windows Vista, then load it on the "broken" one?

Thanks so much! And sorry for being so clueless!
CGM

[Ztruker]

Contact Dell (try the live chat, it's worked for me) and order the Recovery DVD. Then you can use it on another computer to create the bootable flash drive.

Why not replace the defective optical drive with one that works? Doesn't have to be a DVD-RW. A DVD-ROM would be sufficient, or a CD-RW/DVD-ROM combo drive.