question reguarding genuine keys and reinstalling a OS

Soldato
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16 Dec 2005
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Halifax W'Yorkshire
Hello there.

Iv got a laptop that has Vista home basic and when i got the laptop few years ago, it didn't come with a vista disk stupidly but it has a genuine sticker and key stuck to it.

So my question is, if i download a copy of vista, will the key just be accepted when its installed, or does the key have to match the cd?

Thanks.
 
Generally you will need an OEM DVD from the manufacturer for it to work. Though generic OEM media may also work too.

Another option is to make your own by getting a Retail ISO and using the ei.cfg removal tool.
 
The key has to match the version of Vista, apart from that, if you can download Vista, or borrow a OEM disc, then you should be ok.:)
 
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So if i download a ISO of vista and insert the key it wont work just like that?

what sort of tool will i need to make it work or to match the iso to the key.

thanks
 
If they key won't work then just call the free number, provide the serial key from the sticker and they will give you a key that works.

Just say that your hdd died or something and that you had to replace it with a new one.

I believe the sticker is your license.
 
It certainly does exist, I remember imaging some guys Home Premium disc and using it to install a trial of Ultimate.

vista has always let you install whatever edition you want without modification. it either matches your product key for you during setup or you can omit it and then choose which edition to install.

i have vista disks here and there is no ei.cfg file. and there is nothing whatsoever on google about it either.

so, how certain are you? :)
 
I just assumed since Vista and 7 are so similar. Never needed to do it to date, so I wouldn't know either way!
 
vista has always let you install whatever edition you want without modification. it either matches your product key for you during setup or you can omit it and then choose which edition to install.

i have vista disks here and there is no ei.cfg file. and there is nothing whatsoever on google about it either.

so, how certain are you? :)

Because the disc I had only accepted the Home Premium key or nothing. I did have an ei.cfg file to remove. Unless retail versions were different I remember having to make a new image with the file removed. :)

When I got my disc from software4students for the Windows Vista Ultimate upgrade, I got the option to choose whatever with no key inputted.
 
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