Cd Key

[Guest]

Ok my probem is, i bought a new laptop in pc world and a few weeks after i
bought the laptop is got stolen, now i have the recovery disk from the new
laptop. i have a second hand laptop now but i would like to put windows vista
on it but i don't have the cd key from my new laptop that i bought.
how can i get the cd key back so i can put it on my other laptop?
Will i have to buy vista again?
can anyone please help me?

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

You can't.
The Windows that came with the laptop is OEM.
Normally OEM is permanently tied to the original computer regardless
the condition of the original computer.
The Windows license was stolen with the original computer, include it
in the insurance claim if applicable.

 

[Jane C]

Hi Sero,

You cannot use the recovery CDs from your stolen laptop on any other
computer. Your laptop came with Vista preinstalled by the OEM. OEM
installs cannot be transferred to any other computer.

If you wish to have Vista on your current laptop, then you would have to
purchase a retail version.

 

[Guest]

Can i not just buy a cd key?

Hi Sero,

You cannot use the recovery CDs from your stolen laptop on any other
computer. Your laptop came with Vista preinstalled by the OEM. OEM
installs cannot be transferred to any other computer.

If you wish to have Vista on your current laptop, then you would have to
purchase a retail version.

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

Microsoft does not replace OEM keys. The product key
is forever tied and licensed to the computer it came with.

 

[Andre Da Costa[ActiveWin]]

There are not upgrade versions of OEM Windows, its a full version, just does
not upgrade existing installations, for that you need the retail FPP or
Upgrade versions of Vista.

 

[Richard Urban]

The operating system is gone, along with the computer. If you want to run
Vista (or any version of Windows) on another computer you must have a
"different" valid copy to install such. Your old O/S was tied to the
computer that was stolen.

--

Regards,

Richard Urban
Microsoft MVP Windows Shell/User
(For email, remove the obvious from my address)

 

[DevilsPGD]

In message <[email protected]> Sero

Can i not just buy a cd key?

If you have a valid DVD, rather then a recovery image, then yes, you can
install it and purchase a key online from within Windows.

 

[Brian W]

There are not upgrade versions of OEM Windows, its a full version, just
does not upgrade existing installations, for that you need the retail FPP
or Upgrade versions of Vista.

I've said this before, a generic OEM Vista disc will upgrade from an earlier
OS (I've done this with XP and it works and will activate over the
internet).