If I borrow/acquire Vista DVD Will my HP key work to install?

I found out my HP will not come with a Vista DVD to perform a clean install with without their software.

If I use another DVD will it take my Key for Vista Home 64bit from my HP notebook? Or will it not since mine might be an OEM key?

 

Your key is linked to a certificate. Use the search function for a lovely tutorial by OREV on how to back up your license properly.

 

That looked complicated up there. I was hoping I could just use my neighbors since I know he has a Vista DVD or other free one as a possibility since I'm already paying for it and have a license key.

 

Complicated?

1. Copy ABR on an USB stick.
2. Run ABR Backup.
3. Install VIsta from your friend.
4. Insert USB key.
5. Run ABR restore.
6. Done.

 

If it really is too hard for you to do the above steps the key on the bottom of your laptop will also work fine (if you can help it though use the certificate method). You may need to ring Microsoft though.

 

Woah woah woah what are you talking about wishmaker? Thats wrong. Just install windows when it asks for a cd key enter yours. If it dosent activate use the phone activation system skip the annoying lady and talk to a real person. They will ask you for some information such as how many computers is this key installed on and where you bought it then they will give you a confirmation ID to activate windows. I am 100% sure this works i have done it many many times.

 

Waste of time, typing the confirmation code ....the tool takes less than 1 second to activate. WTH are you on about?

 

If you someone made a copy of the dvd could I do the same thing so if he's not home and I had a virus or something I could use that? Or would a copy not work for this?

 

If I just had him copy his dvd or downloaded one could I install it with the key on the bottom of my notebook?

If I did this I'd just have to download the drivers from their website I'm guessing?

 

Mate...I am assuming English is not your native language so I will try to explain everything...again.

1. The serial on the bottom of the notebook is not sufficient to activate your copy.
2. It comes with a certificate from the factory, that is why OEM OS discs are activated by default.
3. After you format, if you do not back up your certificate, the serial will not suffice.
4. In this case you have two options :

a) Call Microsoft, type in the Activation Number, wait for the activation code, type it in your activation process. It will take around 5 minutes to do this.
b) Use the nifty tool and follow the steps I explained above.


Once again, the serial on the notebook is not enough!!! You need to attach an activation certificate or an activation code.


YES! You can use an original disc or a copy as long as they both INSTALL WINDOWS!

 

Yes you can use your neighbors Vista install disc whether its 32bit or 64bit. Your licence will work for both.

I strongly suggest you read orev's clean install guide. The ABR method Wishmaker mentioned is very handy, it saves you from having to call MS to activate. Manufacturers actually do this to pre-activate your copy.

 

i am having problems with making the hp recovery discs, keeps failing verification. its 32bit vista premium so your saying i can acquire vista 64bit and use my key on the side of my pc to install 64 bit? will the ABR Backup tool work to restore the certificate as well from 32bit to 64bit?

 

Yes you can. It authenticated fine when i switched to 64bit.

 

The CD KEY Printed on the bottom panel of ur laptop is the VISTA OEM cd-key customized only for HP. BUT SOMETIMES IT WORKS!!!