The Journey to Vista
Here’s the goal: install Windows Vista RC1 on a crappy old Dell Dimension 4300. The tools: the Windows Vista RC1 DVD, an Ubuntu Live CD… yeah, that’s pretty much it.
The scenario: this computer is downstairs in my basement, and I use it as a mini home server. Currently, I use Ubuntu 6.06 on it, and it works quite well. It’s connected to my network using an old D-Link WiFi card. I want to install Windows Vista on its own partition, and continue to use Ubuntu for the server.
I’m going to be writing live as I work, and I’ll post the whole thing once I’m done. Wish me luck everyone!
Click "more" to read about the journey.
1:05ish - Inserted Windows DVD, and booted from it.
1:09ish - Windows has booted. Install button clicked, I am informed that I don’t have enough RAM (only 256MB, where 512MB is required).
1:15ish - System powered down, and more RAM installed from a little supply I have upstairs. Windows is booting again.
1:21ish - Discover that the Vista installer doesn’t have support to resize ext3 partitions. Shut down computer, pop in Ubuntu Live CD.
— Has idea for this article, and will now be precise with times —
1:29 - Ubuntu is fully loaded.
1:35 - "Apply" clicked, partition being resized. Windows will be installed on a 20GB partition, leaving 55GB for Linux.
1:37 - *realizes stupidity in not defining a filesystem for the empty space… not a big issue, but will force me to take more time to do this*
1:40 - *goes in search of food*
1:41 - *returns, waiting for chicken to cook in microwave*
1:43 - Repartitioning complete.
1:44 - Making NTFS filesystem on new space. Getting chicken.
1:45 - Returns with chicken, finds drive ready to go. Closes GParted, restarts computer.
1:49 - Once again, the Vista installer is ready to roll. Clicking the Install Now button…
1:50 - Enters product key, accepts license agreement, chooses custom installation type. Selects second partition.
1:51 - Windows denies that my partition is usable. Reformatting.
1:52 - Windows utterly refuses to install. Time to decide: trash Linux and go with Vista? Or just forget Vista?
1:53 - Go with Vista, reinstall Linux later. 
1:54 - Windows accepted a clean drive layout. Now copying files.
1:54 (a little later) - All files copied; expanding them on the drive.
2:07 - Files expanded; installing features
2:07 (a little later) - Installing updates
2:08 - Restarting computer 
2:09 - "Please wait a moment while Windows prepares to start for the first time…"
2:11 - On "Completing installation" phase; yeah, that was a let-down
2:15 - Screen blanks, then returns… hope that means it’s getting close
2:17 - Computer restarts without warning, after a few seconds being on a black screen with only the build number (5600) and Windows Vista in the bottom right-hand corner
2:19 - The user account configuration window is displayed
2:21 - "Type a computer name and choose a desktop background," a nice touch
2:22 - Setting up Windows Automatic Updates (just a single button click), and changing the time zone; a minimalistic "Thank you" icon is displayed, along with a button to start using Windows
2:23 - "Please wait while Windows checks your computer’s performance;" displayed while cycling through mini feature ads
2:26 - Ready to use
2:28 - Finally, I have been dropped into the Vista desktop
2:35 - Copying WiFi card drivers from flash drive to Vista
2:35 (a little later) - Starting the setup program, which prompted a UAC dialog… but only one! Already this is an improvement over Beta 2
2:36 - Restarting computer
2:41 - Of course, it didn’t work I’ll have to move it upstairs to install software later.
And with that, the first part of my journey is complete. Only an hour and a half.
7:19pm (next day) - After a whole afternoon and evening of work, I finally got my WiFi card working. The server is ready to use!