clean install using Dell provided key? trying to remove recovery partition

[giantbucket]

so i have a Dell E6420, and months ago i cloned the existing HDD to a 240G SSD. works great, except that of course i continue to have the 18GB partition up front that is the factory Dell recovery partition.

i want all my space back. but since the partitions are in this order: 18G recovery / 556M system / 204G Windows C-drive, i can't use it all that well unless i change things to dynamic partitions to link the 18G with the 204G, and i'm not sure if that will break what is currently there. so i'd rather not risk it.

but i DO have a Win7Pro64 DVD for my other machine. and i have the Dell windows key sticker (which is also for 7 pro 64). can i simply wipe this SSD clean and install using my plain DVD and use the Dell key? will it authenticate? i would then need to reinstall my apps, but i can sort of deal with that since there aren't many to install.

 

[USAFRet]

A retail install will probably not work with a Dell OEM license key.

 

[giantbucket]

it's an "OEM" 7pro64 that i have (same as anyone else who buys a mobo+OS at a computer store). though would you still consider that to be "retail"? i really hate that partition and i cannot remove it. well, maybe i could if i use GParted but then more stuff might break.

 

[USAFRet]

it's an "OEM" 7pro64 that i have (same as anyone else who buys a mobo+OS at a computer store). though would you still consider that to be "retail"? i really hate that partition and i cannot remove it. well, maybe i could if i use GParted but then more stuff might break.

No, that's not a "retail" license.
This wasn't the preinstalled Dell OS?

 

[giantbucket]

to clarify:

Dell (laptop) came with 7Pro64 pre-installed onto a 250G Seagate HDD
i did a win7 native "create system image" and then "restore system image" onto a 240G SSD, so it cloned EVERYTHING
been using it like that for a few months, all is fine

separately, and from 3 years ago, i have Win7Pro64 that i use on my regular desktop. it's an "OEM" disc, with a key that's "locked" to my desktop cpu+mobo

so, i have the media, and the dell obviously has a key. sticker is in the battery compartment.

can i thus use the purchased-3-years-ago disc as just the install media, and use the key code that's on the dell? the desktop would use its own key, a different one.

basically, use one media disk for two separate (re)installs, each install using its own separate legit key.

 

[USAFRet]

to clarify:

Dell (laptop) came with 7Pro64 pre-installed onto a 250G Seagate HDD
i did a win7 native "create system image" and then "restore system image" onto a 240G SSD, so it cloned EVERYTHING
been using it like that for a few months, all is fine

separately, and from 3 years ago, i have Win7Pro64 that i use on my regular desktop. it's an "OEM" disc, with a key that's "locked" to my desktop cpu+mobo

so, i have the media, and the dell obviously has a key. sticker is in the battery compartment.

can i thus use the purchased-3-years-ago disc as just the install media, and use the key code that's on the dell? the desktop would use its own key, a different one.

basically, use one media disk for two separate (re)installs, each install using its own separate legit key.

Word 1: Maybe.
Word 2: Probably.

So....try it.
Install the OS, in the existing partition, with that install media. Activate with the Dell license key.
If it works, and it should, then redo it...this time wiping the whole disk. Recovering your 18GB Dell recovery junk.