Re-install Vista on new harddrive query

[Barry]

I have an existing PC with an official licensed version of Windows Vista
Home Premium but it doesn't have a backup DVD, it only has the backup
partition installed on the hard drive.

As my hard drive is nearly full I wish to change the hard drive for a larger
drive but then I would lose my operating system. Would I be able to borrow a
friends Windows Home Premium OEM DVD that came with his PC and use it to
install the operating system on my new hard drive then use my existing
license number to activate or is the OEM disk somehow only useable on his
PC?

 

[DL]

I cannot answer for Vista specifically, but in winxp provided both oem's are
generic, then you can use another with your key.
The dificulty occurs if the oem is manufacturer specific.
You could allways add a drive as slave, or if this is unavailable to you
Clone the drive

Often the recovery partition has the option to create the DVD's have you
checked?

 

[Mick Murphy]

Your friend's OEM disk wil probably contain drivers pertinent to his
hardware: motherboard, etc which was installed by his computer's manufacturer.
So, the answer to using it is NO.

With your Recovery partition, you have 2 ways to use it.

1. At startup hit a particular F Key(it will say at the bottom of screen
right at startup F2 or F10) to start recovery installation

2. Read the manual that came with your computer, check the computer's
manufacturer's website, or contact them directly on how to make Recovery
disks from your Recovery Partition. You should do this in case your existing
Hard Drive totally died!

Once you make the disks, install a bigger drive, set the Bios to boot from C
CD/DVD drive insert disk; reboot and reinstall.