Steve wrote:
> I have a gateway laptop that I bought from best buy. It had vista
> pre-installed on it. My question is: Can I legally install Vista
> from a factory windows disk, as long as it's the same version and
> edition? And if so, where can I buy just the disk, without having
> to purchase a product key? so in other words, is the product key I
> got with my computer valid for a clean vista install?
Shenan Stanley wrote:
> If you can find a CD that is a generic Windows Vista of the same
> version /edition (OEM/Home, etc) - you *may* be able to do that. I
> am guessing what you are really saying is you want to get rid of
> the Gateway added crap?
Steve wrote:
> Yes, that is exactly the reason lol. I hate that crap. But yeah,
> I was guessing that I "MAY" be able to do it, but I'm really
> looking for a definate answer. If no one actually has an answer to
> this, I'm also interested in whether some one could direct me to a
> place where I could find a difinate answer.
Gateway.
They'll likely sell you one of their OEM Windows Vista CDs (or send it to
you possibly.)
The reason no one will have a definite answer is because it changes on a per
vendor/per location/per day basis. Sometimes you can use your CD with a
Generic Windows Vista CD, sometimes you cannot because those CD Keys are
'special' and the version shipped with them comes 'pre-activated' or for
other strange and wondrous reasons.
The only way you would get a 'definite' answer is to try it.
I would suggest making an image of your system using an application like
Ghost, TrueImage or BootItNG to an external drive. Then try installing
using your product key and a generic OEM CD. If it works - continue
installing everything else. If it does not - use the imaging utility and
your backup copy to apply the image back and you are back where you started
EXCEPT you have your answer.
--
Shenan Stanley
MS-MVP
--
How To Ask Questions The Smart Way
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html
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