Product key

[Guest]

I've got the Product key of Windows Vista Beta 2, May I use this key to
install and activate Windows Vista RC1?

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

It should work.

 

[Guest]

Thanks! T'll try it.

It should work.

 

[sandyfanny]

Question: I had to use the reply response because when I try to use new
thread, I get a tone. Here's my question: I've entered my 25 character
product code key corrrectly, but when I try to use the continue button at the
end of the page, it doesn't work. It's not lit clearly either. I have a new
laptop and I'm really frustrated. Help please! joy

 

[John Barnett MVP]

Are we talking about 'installing' Vista from scratch using a DVD or are you
attempting to change the product key at the 'activation' screen? During
installation you have a 'next' button rather than a 'continue' button and,
after inputting the product key, if this Next button is grayed out it
usually
means the product key has been inputted incorrectly.

If we are talking about inputting the product key during install what you
could try is selecting the version you want to install (this must match the
version that the product key relates to) and then simply omitting to input
the product key. Press the Next button at the next warning message click No.
You should now see a list of Vista versions to install. Select the version
you have and the installation should proceed. After installing you have 30
days to activate the product. When you come to activate the product you will
have the option to input the product key number that you have. You can also
do this by clicking Start>control Panel and then clicking the System icon.
In the system main window under the Windows Activation section you should
see a link marked 'change product key' this will allow you to insert the
correct product key number.

--
--
John Barnett MVP
Associate Expert
Windows - Shell/User

Web: http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org
Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org

The information in this mail/post is supplied "as is". No warranty of any
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reliability or content of this mail/post. The Author shall not be liable for
any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages arising out of the
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mail/post..

 

[Ace]

The question that I have is Could I use ay OS disk and input the corect
Product Key and it work or is he keys Disk Specific? Ex: I have XP/Vista on
one computer Home built (Have a disk for it) and a computer Store Bought
(Name brand no OS disk) meses up, Could I use my disk for the other computer
and use the Product Key for the correct computer and it work or would it not
work???

 

[Mike Brannigan]

The question that I have is Could I use ay OS disk and input the corect
Product Key and it work or is he keys Disk Specific? Ex: I have XP/Vista
on
one computer Home built (Have a disk for it) and a computer Store Bought
(Name brand no OS disk) meses up, Could I use my disk for the other
computer
and use the Product Key for the correct computer and it work or would it
not
work???

No the keys and media are not interchangeable.
So your OEM key on the branded machine will not work with the retail (store
bought) DVD etc.

 

[Mark H]

Actually, the OEM key on the bottom of your machine will work with a retail
disk. It will not activate automatically on-line. Instead, you will have to
talk to a representative who will recognize the activation string as an OEM
installation and ask you who the manufacturer of your computer is. Just tell
them and they will (usually) provide you with the activation string needed.

You should really get a recovery disk from the vendor who made your
computer, or use the built-in function to restore from the recovery
partition.
Using this method, no product key or activation is required since it is
already on the disk as part of the installation.

Another option for the store bought computer is to look up "Vista ABR" on
google (no quotes.) Instructions for extracting your license and activation
codes to USB can be found allowing you to also re-install with a retail disk
(do not enter a product key during install.) When installation is done, you
simply copy the license and activation codes back onto the machine. NOTE:
This will only work for the machine the product, license and activation were
designed to originally fit. Otherwise, it will die 30 days later as
non-genuine.

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

No the keys and media are not interchangeable.
So your OEM key on the branded machine will not work with the retail
(store bought) DVD etc.

Mike, it might work the way he is doing it. Vista media and product keys
work a lot differently than XP. For example I bought an OEM pack to test
some of these issues with and found out that those dvds are identical to
retail dvds except for the hologramming. I even ran a test where I upgraded
XP Home to Vista Home Premium using the OEM dvd and my retail VHP upgrade
product key.

He didn't give enough info to tell but I wouldn't dismiss the idea based on
past experiences.