Need to Reformat, no Discs

Hello all.

Well, it's about that time for just an average reformat, to help keep my
system up and going. Only there is one problem. I don't have discs.

Vista came on my computer, from best Buy. They didn't send any discs.

I have the key, but my question is this: If I use my friends CD's, but my
key, will it still work? I don't want him being "locked" out of being able to
use the CD's again, and I don't want to reformat, to find out that I can't
use his CD's, and be in a world of trouble.

"average reformat"? You must be putting that thing through the wringer to
need a reformat. I think I reformatted my XP laptop once in all the years I
had it.

"Refro-help" wrote:

> Hello all.
>
> Well, it's about that time for just an average reformat, to help keep my
> system up and going. Only there is one problem. I don't have discs.
>
> Vista came on my computer, from best Buy. They didn't send any discs.
>
> I have the key, but my question is this: If I use my friends CD's, but my
> key, will it still work? I don't want him being "locked" out of being able to
> use the CD's again, and I don't want to reformat, to find out that I can't
> use his CD's, and be in a world of trouble.
>
>

If your key is an OEM key (and it is if it was pre-installed on your
computer), your friends installation DVD must be and OEM disk (right?).
Other than that, it will run perfectly fine and you shouldn't have any
activation troubles. But you might want to check for a restoration partition
on the computer first, you probably don't need your friends installation
disk.

Robert Firth
http://www.winvistainfo.org

"Refro-help" <Refro-> wrote in message
news:B7CD343B-F6C5-4172-9365-...
> Hello all.
>
> Well, it's about that time for just an average reformat, to help keep my
> system up and going. Only there is one problem. I don't have discs.
>
> Vista came on my computer, from best Buy. They didn't send any discs.
>
> I have the key, but my question is this: If I use my friends CD's, but my
> key, will it still work? I don't want him being "locked" out of being able
> to
> use the CD's again, and I don't want to reformat, to find out that I can't
> use his CD's, and be in a world of trouble.
>
>

Contact the manufacturer of your PC and request the proper
Windows Vista reinstallation/restore/recovery DVD. You
cannot use your "friend's" Vista DVD as it is likely not meant
for use with your unique Windows Vista OEM product key.

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows - Shell/User
Microsoft Community Newsgroups
news://msnews.microsoft.com/



"Refro-help" wrote:

> Hello all.
>
> Well, it's about that time for just an average reformat, to help keep my
> system up and going. Only there is one problem. I don't have discs.
>
> Vista came on my computer, from best Buy. They didn't send any discs.
>
> I have the key, but my question is this: If I use my friends CD's, but my
> key, will it still work? I don't want him being "locked" out of being able to
> use the CD's again, and I don't want to reformat, to find out that I can't
> use his CD's, and be in a world of trouble.
>
>

Refro-help wrote:
> Hello all.
>
> Well, it's about that time for just an average reformat, to help keep my
> system up and going. Only there is one problem. I don't have discs.
>
> Vista came on my computer, from best Buy. They didn't send any discs.
>
> I have the key, but my question is this: If I use my friends CD's, but my
> key, will it still work? I don't want him being "locked" out of being able to
> use the CD's again, and I don't want to reformat, to find out that I can't
> use his CD's, and be in a world of trouble.
>
>

You asked for a "world of trouble" when you bought the computer from
Worst Buy and didn't insist on a recovery DVD. Go back to Worst Buy when
there are a lot of people there and, in a loud but respectful voice, ask
for your recovery DVD.

Alias

Refro-help wrote:
> Hello all.
>
> Well, it's about that time for just an average reformat, to help keep my
> system up and going.


I've heard of stranger hobbies, but it's your time.

There is usually no sound technical reason for reinstalling any
operating system periodically, except on test machines. When properly
maintained, even a Win3.x or Win9x installation would last for many years.


> Only there is one problem.


I should think there'd have to be several major problems, if you think
you need to format and reinstall the OS.


> I don't have discs.
>
> Vista came on my computer, from best Buy. They didn't send any discs.
>


Microsoft requires its licensed OEM computer manufacturers to
provide a means of returning the computer to its original, ex-factory
state. The particular method of recovery, however, is left entirely to
the discretion of each individual computer manufacturer.

Legally, the OEM has met it's contractual obligation to Microsoft
by providing a means of returning the PC to its ex-factory state,
whether it's a Recovery CD or a Recovery Partition. They are not
legally obliged to provide a true installation CD as part of the sale.
Reputable, customer-service aware OEMs do provide a full OEM
installation CD, that does permit custom installations and repairs.
However, many uncaring OEMs, such as eMachines, Compaq, HP, and Sony, in
an effort to save pennies and reduce their support costs by having to
hire support people that need only say "Boot from the Recovery CD to
return your PC to its original condition," provide only a CD bearing a
disk image of the hard drive as it left the factory.

Essentially, it boils down to "You get what you pay for."

The computer's manufacturer will have provided you some means of
returning the computer to it's original, ex-factory state. Read the
documentation that came with the computer, or check the manufacturer's
support web site, and follow the instructions/procedures provided.


> I have the key, but my question is this: If I use my friends CD's, but my
> key, will it still work?


Only if he has the same edition of Vista and specific type of license
(retail full vs. Upgrade vs. OEM).

> I don't want him being "locked" out of being able to
> use the CD's again, and I don't want to reformat, to find out that I can't
> use his CD's, and be in a world of trouble.
>
>

Then post your actual problems here and get them fixed, rather than
simply formatting and starting over. That's really the course of last
resort.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:
http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. -Bertrand Russell

Did you check on the website of the manufacturer? Sounds straight forward I
know nut a lot of suppliers issue recovery cds etc via downloads instead of
giving you the disks? I had a friend who bought a laptop from a large
retailer and thats what he had to do?

"Refro-help" wrote:

> Hello all.
>
> Well, it's about that time for just an average reformat, to help keep my
> system up and going. Only there is one problem. I don't have discs.
>
> Vista came on my computer, from best Buy. They didn't send any discs.
>
> I have the key, but my question is this: If I use my friends CD's, but my
> key, will it still work? I don't want him being "locked" out of being able to
> use the CD's again, and I don't want to reformat, to find out that I can't
> use his CD's, and be in a world of trouble.
>
>

Robert Firth wrote:
> If your key is an OEM key (and it is if it was pre-installed on your
> computer), your friends installation DVD must be and OEM disk (right?).
> Other than that, it will run perfectly fine and you shouldn't have any
> activation troubles. But you might want to check for a restoration
> partition on the computer first, you probably don't need your friends
> installation disk.
>
> Robert Firth
> http://www.winvistainfo.org
>
> "Refro-help" <Refro-> wrote in message
> news:B7CD343B-F6C5-4172-9365-...
>> Hello all.
>>
>> Well, it's about that time for just an average reformat, to help keep my
>> system up and going. Only there is one problem. I don't have discs.
>>
>> Vista came on my computer, from best Buy. They didn't send any discs.
>>
>> I have the key, but my question is this: If I use my friends CD's, but my
>> key, will it still work? I don't want him being "locked" out of being
>> able to
>> use the CD's again, and I don't want to reformat, to find out that I
>> can't
>> use his CD's, and be in a world of trouble.
>>
>>
>
My Vista came on an HP Pavilion. The OS and other software is on a
separate partition on the HD. The computer came with instructions about
how to use the partition software and also how to make disks for the
same purpose. I made the disks. It is very likely that you have the same
or a similar situation. Take a look. Good luck.
Avraham