computer question

[toby_30540]

some of this site let u ask computer stuff... miss the old satjunction.. but anywho maybe one of you can answer this question.. i bought a computer from wally world and the fuckers didnt give me any cds.. just preinstalled bullshit.. ya know the deal.. i have a vista op disc. but that i have installed on another computer.. was wondering.. since xp and vista are case sensitive with each its own... if i could use that disc and when it gets to the time u have to put in the vista key.. if i could use the key thats with this computer..

to recap..

bullshit programs.. want to format.. start fresh.. have a vista disc thats been registered to another computer.. have vista sticker with vista key on this computer...

will that key work with this disc?? or is each disc have a seperate key???

hope someone can shed some light on this before i attempt it..

maybe milli can add a new sub-forum... just for computer shit.. lol! like satjunction had

[smilingjack]

A disk is good on 1 - 2 - 100 computers

[toby_30540]

thanx.. but i know i cant use that key thats on the disc... cause when i go to register that it will stop.. right?? so could i use the key that came with the computer on a bought version of vista???

[nobody.findme]

The key on the side of the computer is an OEM key meaning it came from the Original Equiptment Manufactorer. If you buy Vista in a store it has a "retail" key and media.

When you install from a retail CD it will only take a retail key and vice versa, oem cd's require an OEM key. It sounds like your mixing the two. OEM cd from the wally world pc and retail key from Vista that was purchased.

[smilingjack]

IF you disk has the keys written on it use it
IF you disk has no key, use the computers

There are a loads of Visits program around.

Better off, use Windows XP-PRO

[Ohms]

I believe the Product KEY needs to match the type of install being done. The PRE-installed OS is an OEM and uses an OEM or a Volume License key. The disk you have may not be an OEM MVL disk, and would fuss that the key was invalid if that were the case.

Also, the pre-installed OS that does not come with disks, have to give you a way to MAKE your own disk. I would look around and see if there is a utility installed that would allow you to make the MS disk from within the pre-installed system.

[skinerd]

I a guy will look around a bit, he can find several hacked programs for free, including Vista and XP Pro. I have both, XP Pro several different versions, and Vista Ultimate. Vista Ultimate on my laptop is 100%, gets all updates from window update, works 100%, cost $-0-. Been using XP Pro for years, paid -0- for it.
Rapidshare is a good place to know.

[fubr]

Also check to see if you have an program already instaled that will let you re-instal.

might be your vendor, like if it is a dell look for dell utilities, if it is a gateway look in the gateway folder ect.
maybe you already have it just dont know it.

[iczer01]

I repair old computers and the only operating system as of today that I have had key problems with is xp media 2005. if you have a valid key sticker on the side of your box it will tell you the version it is compatible with go download the latest copy of that version at usual places, I prefer NNTP and you ar good to go. The problemsthat most people have is they try to install with an older copy of there version like trying to install with a xp pro sp2n integrated version key and using and original xp pro or xp pro sp1 install disc because those discs were printed before your key was created your key will not be valid. Most of the time when you buy a computer from wally world or best buy ect you can request a copy of the installed OS and usually they charge you 10 to 15 bucks..The only deal microsoft has is a oem key cannot be activated on different or new computer. But can be activated more than once on the original equipment

[smilingjack]

Here the XP=PRO I am using
Windows XP Professional Corporate SP2

Mcft Windows XP Professional Corporate SP2 Integrated April 2007
Rapidshare.com | April 2007 | ISO | 594 Mb
This release includes all hotfixes and security updates until April 2007.
It on Rapidshare
dishjunkie.com//showthread.php?t=6327

[Budreaux]

It has become more common that these disks are no longer included with your new purchase.
The reason is usually because the recovery is written to a hidden partition on your harddrive.
Look at you apps that came with the computer and I'm willing to bet you have an option to create your own recovery/install disks.
As mentioned earlier, this is an OEM machine, meaning the Product Key on the sticker will only work with an OEM copuy of the OS...
If you have a Retail copy of the OS thathas been activated before, don;t worry, just use that and usually it will be activated, no questions asked.
microsoft knows that alot of us upgrade our computers and have to reinstall the OS.
If, in the off chance, it doesn;t let you activate it, then just choose the option to activate by phone.... wait till 2am and call the number and there will be an automated system that asks for the Activation number and it'll give you an activation number.....nice little loophole.
Also, as mentioned above, there are lots of places to get free copies, you just have to look around...I haven;t ever bought an OS, but I've been running XP Pro ever since it came out, full update support included.

If you do decide to use your Retail copy and you reformat your haddrive, you will void your warranty and lose the hidden partition that holds the recovery..if this particular machine is set up this way, which I'm fairly confident it is.

BTW, what computer is it, shold help us out with with giving you better advice.

Budreaux