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| Hard Drive Replacement - Windows Vista https://gladerebooted.net/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=8273 |
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| Author: | Arathain Kelvar [ Mon Feb 27, 2012 12:37 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Hard Drive Replacement - Windows Vista |
I bought a computer with Vista installed. I was not given an install CD. Hard drive is now shot, and I need to replace it. Surely there is some way to recover the CD key from the software? Download an install file? The computer works in safe mode, so I can get to the software. Just don't know where to find the data. |
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| Author: | Kaffis Mark V [ Mon Feb 27, 2012 1:01 pm ] |
| Post subject: | |
If you bought the computer with Vista installed, it should have a sticker on it declaring it as housing Genuine Microsoft Software with the key on it. |
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| Author: | Arathain Kelvar [ Mon Feb 27, 2012 4:22 pm ] |
| Post subject: | |
Will look. Thanks. |
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| Author: | Stathol [ Tue Feb 28, 2012 2:21 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Hard Drive Replacement - Windows Vista |
I'm a little confused. If the computer boots in safe mode, then it's not too likely that the hard drive can be that shot. Are you sure it's not just file system corruption or maybe a few stray bad sectors in just the wrong places? In any case, Kaffis is right. But if the Vista registration scheme is anything like Win 7, and AFAIK they are essentially the same, you can't install or activate retail box Windows using a "system builder" (i.e. OEM) key. |
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| Author: | Kaffis Mark V [ Tue Feb 28, 2012 2:32 pm ] |
| Post subject: | |
Yeah, found that out the hard way, Stathol. Bleh. Still, if you've got access to an OEM disc or .iso, you should be able to do it. Also, echoing Stathol's comment on suspecting file corruption. If you've got access to safe mode, you could try restoring registry hives from the Repair copy; it'll have to reinstall several drivers and whatnot, but it's better than doing a wipe and reinstall if you don't have to. |
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| Author: | Midgen [ Tue Feb 28, 2012 2:35 pm ] |
| Post subject: | |
Don't most OEM systems now come with a recovery partition, or some kind of 'restore to new' button combination? |
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| Author: | Khross [ Tue Feb 28, 2012 2:35 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Hard Drive Replacement - Windows Vista |
You can install any form of Windows 7 from any form of disc. There's a command line function that changes the registration state of the installation, but it eludes me at the moment. |
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| Author: | Leshani [ Thu Mar 01, 2012 8:33 pm ] |
| Post subject: | |
Belarc advisor, free version, it will audit your PC and provide you with your license keys |
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| Author: | Midgen [ Wed Mar 07, 2012 7:40 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: |
Leshani wrote: Belarc advisor, free version, it will audit your PC and provide you with your license keys I just ran this. Pretty nifty. Thanks for the tip! |
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