Okay, so I had this SQL dump, but no idea which Microsoft SQL server version it came from. It’s not that difficult to make a good guess though; In the file it shows the original database paths. If you’re lucky, you didn’t completely change the instance’s folders and your instance folder is named somewhat like these. SQL Server 2005 uses MSSQL.<n> (counting up, starting at 1, n+1) SQL Server 2008 uses MSSQL10.<INSTANCENAME> SQL Server 2008R2 uses MSSQL10_50.<INSTANCENAME> So, open the SQL backup file in a text editor of your choice and search for .mdf. That should put you at the end of the path you need.

I really needed a clean Windows installation, so after moving a lot of files I reinstalled it, and all went well so far. But then Windows 8 told me it wasn’t activated. I tried entering my key again, but it then told me: The Software Licensing Service determined that this specified product key can only be used for upgrading, not for clean installs. Luckily, I wasn’t the only one with this issue. This post in the Microsoft forums describes the solution quite well. Here’s a step-by-step tutorial for you. Press 🪟 to open the start menu, type in regedit and press ENTER .

Windows 8 Metro is a joke. Luckily, there are a few workarounds to start with the proper desktop shell. My favourite: Scheduling a task that runs explorer.exe after every log in. Since there are enough tutorials out there, I’m not going to bother writing it down here. Make Windows 8 boot straight to the desktop Alternatively, you could just download a GNU/Linux distribution. Why not Ubuntu?

The main problem was finding a Windows Vista setup disc that fit my needs. It needed to be Home Premium, 64 Bit and German. Luckily, I found this website that provides links to Windows Vista, Windows 7 and Windows 8. After downloading and trying to burn it in my own ways, I created an ISO disk image from the Vista setup files with a programme called WBI Creator 1.2 and burned it with Windows 7’s Image Burner. After putting the CD into the tray and booting the laptop, you will see the Windows Vista setup appear. Just follow through the instructions on the screen.