Reinstalling Vista on a Notebook

[lixoman100]

Hello there.


I'm planning on purchasing a new notebook with Windows Vista pre-installed
on it on the next few months. I believe those notebooks come with an
authenticity sticker on them with the Vista serial code. They also usually
come with some kind of recovery cd.

Considering the fact that I'd like to have a fresh Windows installation and
also the fact that SP1 is near, I'd be interested in formatting the hard
drive and reinstalling Vista from scratch. There's where my question comes.

Can I get a regular Windows Vista installation DVD (because I believe no
such DVD comes with the notebook) and install it (granted the same version my
serial is for, probably Home Premium) and use the serial that is on the
notebook's sticker?

If so, is there any link where Microsoft offers the .iso for download? Will
there be one with SP1 integrated, so installation is easier?

Also, the notebook is going to come with an english version of Vista, and
I'd like, if I get to reinstall it, to install it in another language
(Brazilian Portuguese). Is it possible to install a PT-BR version of Vista
with the serial that comes with the notebook?


Thank you very much for your time and I appreciate any help given.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Hello there.


I'm planning on purchasing a new notebook with Windows Vista pre-installed
on it on the next few months. I believe those notebooks come with an
authenticity sticker on them with the Vista serial code. They also usually
come with some kind of recovery cd.

Considering the fact that I'd like to have a fresh Windows installation and
also the fact that SP1 is near, I'd be interested in formatting the hard
drive and reinstalling Vista from scratch. There's where my question comes.

Can I get a regular Windows Vista installation DVD (because I believe no
such DVD comes with the notebook) and install it (granted the same version my
serial is for, probably Home Premium) and use the serial that is on the
notebook's sticker?

Not unless you purchase an unbranded, generic OEM. Product Keys are
bound to the specific type and language of DVD/license (OEM, Volume,
retail, full, or Upgrade) with which they are purchased. For example, a
Vista Home OEM Product Key won't work for any retail version of Vista
Home, or for other any version of Vista, and vice versa. An upgrade's
Product Key cannot be used with a full version DVD, and vice versa. An
OEM Product Key will not work to install a retail product. Bottom line:
Product Keys and DVD/license types cannot be mixed & matched.

If so, is there any link where Microsoft offers the .iso for download? Will
there be one with SP1 integrated, so installation is easier?

Not unless you've purchased a very expensive MSDN subscription. (And
then you wouldn't be asking this question.)

Also, the notebook is going to come with an english version of Vista, and
I'd like, if I get to reinstall it, to install it in another language
(Brazilian Portuguese). Is it possible to install a PT-BR version of Vista
with the serial that comes with the notebook?

Ask the notebook's manufacturer.


--

Bruce Chambers

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