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    window vista activation question

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by hk09, Jun 28, 2007.

  1. hk09

    hk09 Notebook Geek

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    i want to install vista into my laptop but i already activate it in my desktop. can i reinstall my desktop back to xp and install vista into my laptop using the same cd key. is it possible to do that or i need to buy another cd key for my laptop?
     
    hk09, Jun 28, 2007
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  2. usapatriot

    usapatriot Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Is it the full version of Vista or an OEM version?
     
    usapatriot, Jun 28, 2007
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  3. hk09

    hk09 Notebook Geek

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    it is vista ultimate upgrade version
     
    hk09, Jun 28, 2007
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  4. usapatriot

    usapatriot Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    I think you can but the laptop must have XP installed on it before you upgrade.
     
    usapatriot, Jun 28, 2007
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  5. Wingsbr

    Wingsbr NBR Decepticon NBR Reviewer

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    Retail versions allow for a one time move to one pc from another in the EULA so you would be ok to do this. usapatriot is correct that since it's an upgrade version, your Xp has to be on the new computer. You should try a disc imaging program like Acronis True Image so that you don't have to do an Xp install then a Vista upgrade should you have to reinstall on the machine you are moving to.

    Correction to my above post. The Vista EULA was corrected and my apologies for misinformation and thank you to DrewN for correcting this. Rep up to DrewN.
     
    Wingsbr, Jun 28, 2007
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  6. hk09

    hk09 Notebook Geek

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    than you for the information
     
    hk09, Jun 28, 2007
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  7. DrewN

    DrewN Notebook Evangelist

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    The one-time restriction on the the transfer of Vista has been revised in the EULA to allow as many transfers as you want -- however the license can only ever be active on one PC.

    In other words, if you decide to install your copy of Vista on a PC you must first uninstall it from the previous machine it was installed on. However you can do this as many times as you want.
     
    DrewN, Jun 28, 2007
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  8. robbirzell

    robbirzell Notebook Consultant

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    You don't have to reinstall XP if you want to do a clean reinsall of Vista. Once Vista is installed on the new machine, it is very easy to do a clean install at any point in the future -even with the Upgrade disk.

    In fact, you can even perform a clean install of Vista onto a blank hard drive with the Upgrade CD, but you'll basically be installing Vista twice. See the instructions here.

    You may still want to make an image of your disk for other reasons, but it won't save you any time in terms of doing a clean install.
     
    robbirzell, Jun 29, 2007
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  9. System64

    System64 Windows 7 x64

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    It is also possible to clean install from the upgrade disc, then upgrade from it. It's a well known "workaround". ;)

    Edit, did not see the post above me already said it. my bad for repeating the info again.
     
    System64, Jun 29, 2007
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