HOW TO GET MY HANDS ON INSTALL MEDIA

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coopchennick

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I have a legitimate product key and a legitimate copy of Vista Home Premium 32bit installed on my computer. I got a new Samsung F3 HDD and would much rather do a clean install rather than go the disc image route ------- I just do not have an install disc.

I have scoured the internet and this is what I've found:
1. Create your own "recovery disc" - which you CANNOT install from
2. Bittorrent - this is a route I don't want to take


I cannot believe it's this difficult to find a copy of a Vista install disc, especially since I have a legitimate product key to use.

If anyone knows of anywhere to get an install disc or if your heart is just overflowing with charity and would like to lend me your own, I would greatly appreciate it.
 

coopchennick

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Correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm pretty sure that is incorrect. Every installation (of the same edition) of Vista is the same. You can even enter your product key after the installation.

If I'm mistaken I'll just feel a little silly and apologize
 

coopchennick

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I don't believe you

"I have three genuine Vista OEM DVDs.. two Home Premium 32 bit, and Home
Premium/SP1 64 bit.. each has their own key. I can install with the 64
bit, and use one of the 32 bit keys not in use, same with the 32 bit, if
I wanted I can install 32 bit using the unused 64 bit key..

what I am getting at, unlike Windows 98/NT/Xp, the OEM Vista DVD install
is not tied to a particular license key. not sure how the retail kits
act but I suspect the same - so long as you have a valid and unused
license key, you can use any DVD to do an install.
-- some guy on the internet
 
Badge, I hate to say it, but in this case you are incorrect. All versions of Vista are included with the installation media... the product key is what determines which version gets installed... not the installation media. I downloaded a Vista ISO that was labelled as Home Premium, but when I used the product key from the customer's computer, Home Basic was installed. (The product key was for Home Basic, not Premium).

If you don't put a product key in, then you basically have Vista Ultimate until it comes time to activate, in which case you'll get whatever version your product key matches.
 
Can you provide a link. OP has a product key. That product key is for an installation disk matched to that product key. Like I said, I can not use my product key to install Vista with your installation DVD. If I am wrong about that, then I was not aware of any other EULA rules stating otherwise.
 
Zoron wrote:

Badge, I hate to say it, but in this case you are incorrect. All versions of Vista are included with the installation media... the product key is what determines which version gets installed... not the installation media

Yeah that's correct. A product key is not even needed. You can install any version of Vista you like for 15 days. You CAN NOT however install my Vista DVD and activate it with OP's product key as OP is suggesting He wants to do.

You are inccrrect.

If you are talking about a DELL or HP or some prebuilt machine, I have no idea how the license works. I have heard any DELL instalation disk works on any DELL machine. I have no idea about how DELL works their OS license situation. I am taking about a Vista OEM purchased sperate from being preinstalled on a prebuilt like HP.
 
Zoron wrote:

If you don't put a product key in, then you basically have Vista Ultimate until it comes time to activate, in which case you'll get whatever version your product key matches.

I have to admit I have never installed Vista by the method of not entering a product key when asked. Then after the installation, entering a product key at that time.

 


EarHorn.jpg


 
Did I happen to mention I used that same ISO to install Home Premium as well as Home Basic? If you don't believe me, have a look at your Vista disc... you'll see license agreements for all versions of Vista (Home Basic & Premium, Business and Ultimate). The product key you enter determines what version is installed.
 
Yeah, I know the install disk contains more than just the version on the cover. I also know If I enter your Vista product key it will not match my disk and will not install. I am assuming if I enter no product key I can choose what version I want to install. I am assuming from what yoiu are telling me I can then use ANY product key to active the installation. I have never installed Vista by bypassing the product key when asked.
 
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