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    installing clean vista on x200 - serial/oem?

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by boim, Mar 22, 2009.

  1. boim

    boim Notebook Guru

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    hi,
    i guess this question had been asked many times regarding the x200 or any other lenovo computer, but i simply did it with the forum search.

    so anyway, i want to install a fresh install of windows vista business, with the OEM key sticker on the back of my laptop. (assuming i have a copy of windows vista business installation disk).
    as i understand, simply writing the key on the back wont work.
    how to i work around this issue?

    thank in advance :)
     
    boim, Mar 22, 2009
    #1
  2. novablade

    novablade Notebook Consultant

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    In my experience it does work as I have used a vista disk from a friend when mine got lost and input the key under my thinkpad which was vista business as well and activation worked great.
     
    novablade, Mar 22, 2009
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  3. boim

    boim Notebook Guru

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    can anyone please confirm it?
    as i remember from another computer and XP it did not worked..
     
    boim, Mar 22, 2009
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  4. ZaZ

    ZaZ Super Model Super Moderator

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    If the key on your machine doesn't work use the key that came with the disc. You can then change it in Windows and activate it.
     
    ZaZ, Mar 23, 2009
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  5. boim

    boim Notebook Guru

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    are you sure?
    why should it accept the key post the installation and not during?

    btw, thanks for the response :)
     
    boim, Mar 23, 2009
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  6. ZaZ

    ZaZ Super Model Super Moderator

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    Just try it, but as always make the recovery discs and a copy of the SWTools folder.
     
    ZaZ, Mar 23, 2009
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  7. boim

    boim Notebook Guru

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    where can i download the recovery cds?
    (i did not deleted the service partition)
     
    boim, Mar 23, 2009
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  8. ZaZ

    ZaZ Super Model Super Moderator

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    You cannot download them. They must be purchased from Lenovo for $45.
     
    ZaZ, Mar 23, 2009
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  9. jaredy

    jaredy Notebook Virtuoso

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    You can do it if you have the correct vista install media. It just might not automatically authenticate. You might have to call MS to do it.
     
    jaredy, Mar 23, 2009
    #9