Activating Vista?

Discussion in 'Windows Vista' started by optimistique1, Jun 29, 2009.

  1. optimistique1

    optimistique1 MDL Novice

    Jun 12, 2009
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    HI all, this might seem like a silly question but if I have a laptop with Vista pre-installed and I need to completely reformat and reinstall, what do I do about activating Vista again? Many thanks Garry
     
  2. jasqid

    jasqid MDL Member

    Feb 10, 2008
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    #2 jasqid, Jun 29, 2009
    Last edited: Jun 29, 2009
    Depends on the manufacture.

    I got a Dell Studio with Vista Home Premium and formatted it right out the box and installed Ultimate. I Decrapified it immediately!

    Just need the Cert and OEM key for Dell. :D

    (Use Key when installing, Insert Key after bootup.)
    There is another thread here on "how to insert oem key and cert"
     
  3. optimistique1

    optimistique1 MDL Novice

    Jun 12, 2009
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    Hi guys thanks for your help. It's a HP notebook with no recovery disk and I didn't realise about the recovery partition until too late.....
    I have a Retail Vista DVD that my buddy can loan me and I have my serial key on the underside of the machine. Can I install it this way and will it activate?
     
  4. urie

    urie Moderator
    Staff Member

    May 21, 2007
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    #4 urie, Jun 29, 2009
    Last edited by a moderator: May 23, 2017
  5. 911medic

    911medic MDL Guru

    Aug 13, 2008
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    What urie says...the COA key on the underside of the computer is useless for you..:D
     
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