Vista - Clean Vista OEM Install Issues

I just bought a new HP Pavilion pc that came preloaded with Vista Home Premium 64bit. It also came loaded with a bunch of crap so I just want to blow it away and install a clean Vista OS. Unfortunately, HP only includes a recovery partition from wich you build reccovery disks. I called HP support and they informed me that the only way to get OS disks is to purchase the OS from Microsoft. I argued that I had already done so by purchasing the pc with a licensed copy of Vista preloaded. They said it was an OEM version which can only be installed with the recovery disks and that I should just uninstall the unwanted programs.

I have the Windows Vista product key sticker on the side of the pc so can someone tell me if I purchase a media only version of Vista can I activate it with the OEM product key that came with the pc? And if anyone has any other ideas I'm all ears. Thanks!

Jeff

Hello Jeff,

Sorry, but you will not be able to use your OEM product key number with any retail Vista installation DVD.

Other than buying a retail Vista version and installing it instead with the product key number that comes with it, you could use a 3rd party backup program like Acronis True Image to make a backup clone of your hard drive after you have uninstalled the programs you do not want and have everything setup the way you like it. You can then use this clone backup to reinstall Vista as it was when you created the backup. You can try a 15 day trial version of Acronis True Image at the link below to try and see if you like that idea.

Complete hard disk recovery solution, backup, drive copy, clone and image computer software

Hope this helps,
Shawn

However, if you have any friends who have a copy of windows vista (needs to be the same you have (ie home premium 64 bit) and that copy is also an OEM version, then you can use that with your own key.

By the way Brink, wasn't there an option with microsoft that you can order a replacement copy of the media for a few bucks? If that's still true, it would mean that you can order the disc without a product key, and use that with your own key to reinstall vista.

Hi Day 24,

There is only with a product key number, but Microsoft does not support OEM Vista replacements. Only a retail copy with it's product key number.

A OEM product key number will not work with a retail Vista installation DVD.

Day 24,

I hope you're right, but Microsoft's page says any licensing issues with OEM versions must be handled by the reseller, in this case HP, which refused to assist. I'll try to find a friend with a copy of Vista and see if it works. Thanks for the info!

Jeff

jvis.... a friend's copy will ONLY work if it is an OEM version, not a retail version.... which shouldn't really be a problem, as the OEM version is freely available for sale as well....at least, here in the Netherlands it is....

Hi Day24,

Have you used a product key from a preinstalled oem laptop with a bought OEM dvd and successfully activated it ?

These "retail" OEM dvd's are widely available , like you say

Newegg.com - Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit English for System Builders 1pk DSP OEI DVD - Operating Systems

This thread is interesting - Joel seems to have done something similar with a retail dvd - tho. seems he had to phone to activate


UPGRADING SONY VAIO VGN TXN15P FROM XP PROFESSIONAL TO VISTA BUSINESS.

Let us know how you get on jvis17

SIW2