Jump to content

Re installing os on prebuilt computer?

tobben
 Share
Go to solution Solved by LogicalDrm,

Geed answers here. I have reinstalled Vista Home Premium 32bit to laptop with burned dvd. I would have used 64bit HP copy but some drivers didn't work with that version. So only thing you need is to have excat or close (language) edition to what pc already has. Vista is still valid OS and with tweaks not so bad. Other way would be to buy retail copy of win7/newer.

Posted

ok so admittedly i'm not really familiar with the whole oem computers and the software restrictions, from what i remember they install a copy that can only be used on that single computer, the code stores itself somewhere in the bios? you get a sticker on the pc with the code that only works on that copy but not a normal copy of windows.

 

i'm going to help someone set up a old ish used prebuildt computer, i figured i would clean it, as in format the hdd, do a clean install of windows, download some basic programs and transfer the files from his old computer, but they don't have any of the cd's that came with the computer, ontop of the computer there are two stickers, one saying fujitsu simens computer and another one with the windows product key saying windows vista business oemact.

 

so how would i go about re installing windows without the cd? as far as i know that product key wont work on a normal copy of windows vista? while i would preferably avoid having to buy another copy, if i were to do so will there be any restrictions that would prevent me from installing a proper copy of windows 7?

Link to comment
https://linustechtips.com/topic/149158-re-installing-os-on-prebuilt-computer/
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

i believe Microsoft knows you got a product Key, so it shouldn't be that complicated mate

 Crust : Intel Core i5 4690K @ 4.4Ghz 1.45v  |  Motherboard : MSI Z97 MPower  |  Fruity Filling : MSI GTX 960 Armor 2Way-SLI |  Cooling : Noctua NH-D15  |  RAM : 16GB Corsair Vengeance 1600Mhz | Storage : 2xSamsung 840 EVO 500GB SSDs Raid-0  |  Power Supply : Seasonic X-Series 1250W 80+Gold  |  Monitor : Dell U2713HM 27" 60Hz 1440p  |                                                                                                                                           

Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

Just get a vista iso and use that oem key. It works for me with 7.

Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted
  • Author

Just get a vista iso and use that oem key. It works for me with 7.

i get i have seen alot of mixed responses regarding this, some say it works and pretty much an equal ammount says it doesn't work, can you confirm this with 100% certainty? as you can understand i would be in abit of a pickle if i decided to format the drive but wasn't able to reinstall the os :P.

 

the way i understand it is that different restrictions come with different manufacturers.

Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

i get i have seen alot of mixed responses regarding this, some say it works and pretty much an equal ammount says it doesn't work, can you confirm this with 100% certainty? as you can understand i would be in abit of a pickle if i decided to format the drive but wasn't able to reinstall the os :P.

 

the way i understand it is that different restrictions come with different manufacturers.

In the vast majority of cases I've dealt with, you won't have any problem using the windows key that is activated from the manufacturer after a reinstall, assuming the version is exactly the same. If you happen to change hardware and reinstall windows, you may have to call microsoft, explain that there was  a hardware change, and they give you a new key. Either way, you shouldn't end up with an unauthenticated version unless you just forget to find the previous key (with 3rd party program or the sticker).

CPU: i5 4670k • Cooler: Corsair H100i • Motherboard: MSI Z87 MPOWER • RAM: Crucial Ballistix Elite 2x 8GB • Storage: Samsung 840 250GB SSD, 2x WD Red 3TB • GPU: EVGA GTX 780 3GB • PSU: Corsair RM750W • Case: Corsair 750D • Mouse: Razer Naga 2012 (I actually use the thing for productivity/media buttons) • Keyboard: Ducky Shine 3 w/ Browns - Green LED • Monitor: Asus PB278Q 27" 2560 x 1440, ASUS PB238Q 23" 1920x1080 • Lighting: 2m NZXT Sleeved Blue LED Strip • pcpartpicker.com/p/3cHfZ

 

Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

the way i understand it is that different restrictions come with different manufacturers.

I've had success with Sony, Toshiba, Dell, Lenovo and Asus computers,

CPU: i7 5820K 4.0GHz @1.15V | MOBO: Asus X99 Sabertooth | GPU: Gigabyte Windforce GTX 980Ti, LTT Orange | CASE: NZXT H440 Black 2015 | COOLER: Noctua NH-D15S w/ LTT Fans | RAM: 32GB Patriot 3000MHz | STORAGE: 512GB Samsung 950 Pro, 960GB Sandisk Ultra II 3 x 8TB Seagate HDD's | PSU: 750W Seasonic X series, black / orange cablemod cables| Monitors: 3x Asus VX24AH's | AUDIO OUT: Microlab SOLO 8C, Sennheiser HD 650's, Audio engine D1 Amp / DAC | AUDIO IN: Blue Snowball | Keyboard: CM Storm QuickFire TK MX Green | Mouse: Logitech G900 Proteus Spectrum + RSI Extended Mouse Pad | PCPP Link: http://nz.pcpartpicker.com/list/hPjFd6

Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

i get i have seen alot of mixed responses regarding this, some say it works and pretty much an equal ammount says it doesn't work, can you confirm this with 100% certainty? as you can understand i would be in abit of a pickle if i decided to format the drive but wasn't able to reinstall the os :P.

 

the way i understand it is that different restrictions come with different manufacturers.

I have had 100% success. If it doesn't work just call microsoft and say that you are re-installing the os and they will reactivate the key. It is the same pc so the key will be fine. On every pc I have done this on the hdd has been fully reformatted. 

Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted
  • Author

*snip*

 

I've had success with Sony, Toshiba, Dell, Lenovo and Asus computers,

 

I have had 100% success. If it doesn't work just call microsoft and say that you are re-installing the os and they will reactivate the key. It is the same pc so the key will be fine. On every pc I have done this on the hdd has been fully reformatted. 

well lol, it sounds like you guys got a pretty good track record so i guess it's fine, i'l just grab an iso file and have at it, thanks *fingers crossed*

Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted
  • Solution

Geed answers here. I have reinstalled Vista Home Premium 32bit to laptop with burned dvd. I would have used 64bit HP copy but some drivers didn't work with that version. So only thing you need is to have excat or close (language) edition to what pc already has. Vista is still valid OS and with tweaks not so bad. Other way would be to buy retail copy of win7/newer.

^^^^ That's my post ^^^^
<-- This is me --- That's your scrollbar -->
vvvv Who's there? vvvv

Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted
  • Author

Geed answers here. I have reinstalled Vista Home Premium 32bit to laptop with burned dvd. I would have used 64bit HP copy but some drivers didn't work with that version. So only thing you need is to have excat or close (language) edition to what pc already has. Vista is still valid OS and with tweaks not so bad. Other way would be to buy retail copy of win7/newer.

to bad retail version of windows is really frigging expensive though, near or identical language?  i would assume it would either work cross language or not work at all :P, somehow i doubt i will be able to find a Norwegian vista download.

Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

to bad retail version of windows is really frigging expensive though, near or identical language?  i would assume it would either work cross language or not work at all :P, somehow i doubt i will be able to find a Norwegian vista download.

 

There are multilingual versions. Those would be best. And you never know. I have found Finnish winXP and Swedish win7 images.

^^^^ That's my post ^^^^
<-- This is me --- That's your scrollbar -->
vvvv Who's there? vvvv

Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing Operating Systems

×