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    Reformating Laptop New Hard Drive

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by cinohpa, Jun 7, 2008.

  1. cinohpa

    cinohpa Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hey,

    I'm getting a new hard drive and that will mean formatting it. Am I going to have to jump through any hoops to get windows to let me install my vista on a new hard drive?
     
  2. bubbatex

    bubbatex Notebook Deity

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    You should not - at the most you may have to phone in to the automated activation line. I had to do that recently - I installed on a new drive activated and then re-installed again the next day due to a problem. My OEM key worked automatically the first time, I had to call the second time. I learned that you should probably install w/o activation and make sure all is working well, then activate. YMMV
     
  3. jisaac

    jisaac Notebook Deity

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    what bubbatex said is true. Due to the change in hardware, vista may recognise your laptop as a different machine, meaning your oem key may not work. In these cases you'll have to phone m$, I had to do this myself.
     
  4. atbnet

    atbnet Notebook Prophet

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    No, you will be fine. The activation allows for some hardware changes before it gives you a hassle. Even then a simple call fixes it.