Requested Dell Vista home basic CD, got Home Premium instead

My vostro 1400 came w/ Vista basic installed (but no oem cd)

I asked for the Vista CD, and got the Vista PREMIUM.

Question... will the oem CD ask for Product key (either during install or will it ask for activation?)

If it dosen't ask for product key, this should be I just got a free premium upgrade..

*UPDATE*
I did a dual boot install, no cd key needed!

 

Hmm. I havent gotten mine yet, but I was under the impression that ever Vista DVD had all flavors of the OS, and it was only the key that mattered, and determined which type got installed. Is this not the case?

 

It will not ask for any product key...



As for mtylerjr, this disk is from Dell and only has the particular labeled version on it...it's retail versions that have them all on it...

 

this is an oem CD, so i don't know if that makes the difference. I would think it wouldn't have Vista ULTIMATE if the CD just said "REsinstallion DVD - Windows Vista Home Premium 32BIT" (typing exactly what it says)

But i'm more interested in the ACTIVATION/Product key part of it...
Do OEM DELL CDs ask for Product Keys... that would be the only way they can tell if I wanted the BASIC install.

 

no they do not ask for product keys as long as they are being installed on a Dell system with Dell BIOS which is recognized by the installation process.

 

Do the DELL VISTA Installs that are pre-loaded in the computer when Dell ships it, ask for activation after 30 days?

 

Interesting, what about for validation for windows update later on? Would the old key show up to validate it?

 

all the install DVD have every version on them... basic, premium, ultimate, etc... your key unlocks features for the correct one

 

nope, they are automatically activated provided it is a Dell system installed on. if you use it on a non-Dell system, you will be prompted to activate.

not really sure what you are asking here, can you be more descriptive?

you are thinking of retail disks, not the ones provided by Dell.

 

well someone is giving out mis-information...i'll install this CD as a dual boot and see if it ask for a product key... and we'll find out who's wrong

 

why bother, the only real difference between the 2 is Media center. Aero glass automatically turns off when anything is maximized anyways.

Home premiums takes up more HD space than basic and have no real benefit.

 

thats one of the reasons i'm doing a dual boot...if I dont like it, I can trash it

 

is that really the only benefit?

I know i wont be using media center because there are far better programs out there organize music/photo etc..but i wanted that aero glass thing. I guess i dont NEED it, so if thats the only difference. I might as well go with the basic.

 

Premium has the mobility center as well.

 

basic has that as well. mobility center is just that window that shows battery power, etc and all those other computer stats right?

update: yeah i checked, home basic on my Vostro 1400 have that too.

 

Aero glass turns off automatically whenever a window is maximized(example when you have your browser or word processor as full screen instead of a small window)

 

Installed....no CD KEY needed...

 

Did you try windows updates or downloading of something like windows media player where they require you to validate your cd key?

 

you DO NOT need a serial key when installed on a Dell system. it is a valid Windows installation and WILL pass all verification and authentication measures. why do people not listen?

 

yes guys listen! =)

updated fine... Aero glass is a nice addition along with the COOL flip 3d. Vostro nvidia 8400gs can handle with ease...

 

Dude I'm not an idiot, I know you don't need a serial key to install. Why can't people learn to read correctly?

 

I cannot confirm activation... but from reading around I have understood dell oem doesn't require it. If it does.. it should prompt me in 30 days I assume?

 

You might need a serial key to reinstall or upgrade

 

Right click on "computer", choose properties and at the bottom of that window it'll tell you if you are activated or not.

 

Haha, this is exactly how I got Windows Vista Ultimate on my Dell I6400. I got it last August but when Vista came out I got a copy from a "source" and I've never looked back .

 

yea you can find the Dell Ultimate ISO on t0rrent sites that will install on Dell systems without the need for a serial key or activation. since it is works through the BIOS, there is nothing to cause it not to work. however, it only works on BIOS revisions up to a certain point. you cant use it on say an i8200 from 4 years ago or something.

 

Ya, I'm trying to find a Dell Vista ULTIMATE disk so I can have all my drivers and stuff slipstreamed in so I don't need to keep using a fresh install. I get it from MSDN, so I have a key and everything...I just need the disk. I NEED A SOURCE!

 

I am using that right now, but you know what...I tried it on my friends I6400 with revision A07 BIOS and it crapped out on him after 2 months but it didn't on mine because my BIOS is up-to-date.

 

I did the online chat today to get an OS disc sent. I did not even realize one was not included until I came across this thread. Took like 30 minutes and I said maybe 2 setences. Hope I get the right thing, I would be fine with any version of Vista as long as the disc works

 

Out of curiousity, how do you get the OEM Vista disc from Dell? I never received one.

 

Did you do a fresh install of premium or an upgrade to Premium?

 

Now they no longer send Vista premium if you did not order your laptop with it. I got my re-installation disk yesterday, it is Vista basic only. However, they still throw in the Creative Lab Audigy with registration key. That is a $35 value.

 

What is Creative Lab Audigy?

I guess they were short on the basic OS DVD a month ago so to save time they ended up sending premium to all who requested at that time?

Btw the OS DVD is one DVD or 2 because I got 2 of them I think not sure what was the other one they sent when I asked for the OS DVD. I will to have check it when I get home.

 

Creative Lab HD software version Audigy. It adds some 3D sound function and a equilizer.