On Sun, 31 Aug 2008 15:34:33 -0400, "Phillips"
wrote:


"Paul Montgomery" wrote in message
.. .
On Sat, 30 Aug 2008 19:40:00 -0400, "Phillips"
wrote:
....
Are you suggesting/saying that because a format doesn't actually
remove info from a hard drive, the info would interfere with an
installation?

If it is, it's no wonder you can't document it.

If you have the time, try this:
Install Vista, do not activate, use it to end of trial period - 3 days.
Delete the partition, create new partition, format.
Install again... see if you can run it for another 3 days.

I did not try it on Vista, but some had the surprise to see that XP could
not be reinstalled for another 30 days after the initial 30 days trial.
Hence, I assume some data is left on the hard-drive.

As you describe it, Windows installed without a hitch the second time.
That's gotta be an activation issue, not an issue related to
formatting.

I'd believe it was a formatting issue (MS placing a hidden file where
it couldn't lose its pointers) if you did that without the machine
EVER being connected to the Internet.