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    Advice with Vista CD Key/re-install

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by sheriffadam, Aug 7, 2008.

  1. sheriffadam

    sheriffadam Notebook Geek

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    I have a Asus F3JP that came with Vista Premium as a pre-install, but now I wish to format and reinstall Vista from scratch. I don't however have a Vista DVD, only the have the Asus recovery disk which is no good here.

    Can I borrow a friends Vista Disk and then just put in my CD-Key that is on the Windows sticker on the base of my notebook? Or is the CD-Key linked to each disk?

    It's that or buy a whole new copy I guess :(

    Cheers!
     
    sheriffadam, Aug 7, 2008
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  2. Rodster

    Rodster Merica

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    Sure you can borrow your friends DVD as your key on the bottom of your laptop is what you'll need to activate Vista.

    Why don't you order a replacement disc from Microsoft for like $12 ? :)
     
    Rodster, Aug 7, 2008
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  3. sheriffadam

    sheriffadam Notebook Geek

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    Well I never had a Vista disk to begin with, it came OEM pre install, so I doubt MS would just send out a new disk seeing I never had one before.

    And I read a little bit about Product Key and Product ID, them being different to each other, but haven't worked out which is which yet ;)

    My MS sticker says Product Key, that is the one you need to add on install right? I'm a bit worried I'm gonna have activation problems and all the jazz that goes with that now :(
     
    sheriffadam, Aug 7, 2008
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  4. royk50

    royk50 times being what they are

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    as long as you install vista premium you should have no issues, x86 or x64 are ok.
     
    royk50, Aug 7, 2008
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  5. ProntoR2

    ProntoR2 Notebook Consultant

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    You could also make a vista install disk from your ASUS recovery DVD. I did it and it works just fine. If you're interested repost and I'll dig up the link for you.
     
    ProntoR2, Aug 7, 2008
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  6. sheriffadam

    sheriffadam Notebook Geek

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    Pronto! That would hit the nail right on the head! I've shot myself if you need the stuff on that 5gig Asus partition though, but please link away anyway man, would be handy for future reference :)

    EDIT: I just had a google around, and it seems the recovery disk that I thought was just a waste of time, is actually a bonafide install disk. So I'll be trying that sometime soon, thanks for the tip Pronto man :)
     
    sheriffadam, Aug 7, 2008
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  7. niGht kiD

    niGht kiD .. beach boy ♫

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    You can do a clean install of Vista using Asus Recovery Disc.
    Press ESC when you see Asus splash screen. Select "Boot from the disc". Choose one of the options to recover(whole hdd, 1 partition, 2 partitions). Force a shutdown and restart when it asks to insert Drivers CD. Then you will have a clean Vista with no bloatwares :D
    You can install the driver one by one by inserting the Drivers CD afterwards(right click to open, don't let it autorun). Or check the Asus website to get the latest drivers for your model :)

    EDIT: Just saw Pronto's reply :p Good luck anyway ;)
     
    niGht kiD, Aug 7, 2008
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  8. sheriffadam

    sheriffadam Notebook Geek

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    F2 :cool:

    Wish I'd researched this the other day, am using XP now! It never occurred to me the disk was actually a full blown copy, I guessed it just pulled stuff from the hidden partition. Glad I asked!
     
    sheriffadam, Aug 7, 2008
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  9. crash

    crash NBR Assassin

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    Microsoft ONLY sells backup disks (as they're called) to customers with a retail license, not an OEM license.
     
    crash, Aug 7, 2008
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  10. MegaMan X

    MegaMan X Notebook Evangelist

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    Download the abr tool in the hp forum.

    The abr tool backs up your vista key to a flash drive, and then it restores it when you do a clean install. That way, you don't have to call microsoft if you run into any problems
     
    MegaMan X, Aug 7, 2008
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  11. niGht kiD

    niGht kiD .. beach boy ♫

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    ESC is faster.. :eek:

     
    niGht kiD, Aug 7, 2008
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  12. ProntoR2

    ProntoR2 Notebook Consultant

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    Np, glad to help. Most of the credit should go to the ASUS forum on NBR here though. That's where I found the info.
     
    ProntoR2, Aug 7, 2008
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