Buying used Vista upgrade DVD

DarrenG4608 · Jan 10, 2013

Is this a bad idea? Assuming everything is in the factory packaging.

Thanks.

richc46 · Jan 10, 2013

Welcome
The DVD is not that important unless it is damaged (we have know way of knowing that). You MUST have a valid product key, if you do, the DVD should work
You must, also, qualify for an upgrade.
As a rule a used DVD's product key was already used, however.

DarrenG4608 · Jan 10, 2013

My gray area is this: The unit had Vista on it from the factory and I replaced the motherboard, I need to re-install. Can I use the key on the laptop and not worry about the key that came with the disk?

Thanks for your time.

SIW2 · Jan 10, 2013

Yes - if you mean the key on a sticker on the laptop. Just use any vista dvd to install the Edition which you have the key for.

DarrenG4608 · Jan 10, 2013

SIW2 said:
Yes - if you mean the key on a sticker on the laptop. Just use any vista dvd to install the Edition which you have the key for.

Thank you for your time. This helps very much.

richc46 · Jan 10, 2013

In the event that the product key does not work, because a new MB is a new computer, you may want to try and make a call to Microsoft and explain the situation.
You should make the call as part of an activation by phone
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/18715-activate-windows-7-phone.html?ltr=A
(Vista and Seven Work the same in this regard)

Regarding the upgrade:
An upgrade is only good on a computer that had Vista or XP already installed. Microosft says that you can replace a hard drive and other components but a new Mother Board is considered a new computer; legally you cannot use an upgrade version.
I cannot let a new member go away without a

, so try this (before buying anything), here is an ISO for Vista, burn to a CD and then try to use the number on the computer. If your computer is recognized as the same OEM computer it will work. Legally you cannot use and upgrade, but you can try to see if it is recognized as the same OEM computer.
http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/software-os/w/microsoft_os/3317.2-3-microsoft-windows-vista-official-iso-download-links-digital-river.aspx

wither 3 · Jan 11, 2013

Strange that I was going to ask you about this.

I really like Vista and wondered if I could buy a new computer and use the OEM product key. Sounds like you can't.

To play devils advocate, if I bought a new computer without a hard drive and used my existing hard drives which have the OEM Vista, would that work?

richc46 · Jan 11, 2013

An OEM key is good for just one computer. Technically, to use an OEM key you must resell the computer, it is not for personal use. I will now have members saying this is not true and anyone can buy an OEM CD and this is true, I merely give you the rules that are stipulated in the EULA.
(End User License Agreement)

DarrenG4608 · Jan 11, 2013

richc46 said:
An OEM key is good for just one computer. Technically, to use an OEM key you must resell the computer, it is not for personal use. I will now have members saying this is not true and anyone can buy an OEM CD and this is true, I merely give you the rules that are stipulated in the EULA.
(End User License Agreement)

I've decided to remove all question and am buying a Vista CD new. Its more work trying to pinch pennies than it is to just do the job.

Now I'm hoping to find a Windows Vista deal.

richc46 · Jan 11, 2013

Its difficult to find Vista, now. May I suggest Seven. If you have Vista now you can buy the much cheaper Seven upgrade. Dont go to places that resell, used. Many times the key is not valid.

SIW2 · Jan 11, 2013

They are still around.

Confusingly, they are called oem - that is a bit different - they are oem system builder. They will work fine.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/windows-vista-oem-oei-dsp-Software/s?ie=UTF8&page=1&rh=n%3A300435%2Ck%3AWindows%20Vista%20OEM%2FOEI%20DSP

http://betanews.com/2007/01/29/ms-it-s-okay-to-buy-vista-oem-software/

Cytherian · Jan 12, 2013

I did this a few months back. I installed a new hard drive and installed a used retail copy of Vista Ultimate that I'd bought from eBay. I made sure the seller was legitimate and asked questions about the use of the software. They had uninstalled and deactivated it, so it would be free to be used on another computer. You can't do this with OEM software, as others mentioned already it is tied to a single computer.

wither 3 · Jan 12, 2013

Thanks for your reply Richc46. I understand what you're saying. thanks also to S1W2 (are you an ex-Navy nuke submariner?).

Now, i'd be interested if DarrenG4608 finds a copy. I see 32 bit dirt cheap as expected. Also as expected, the 64 bit are sometimes very expensive.

SIW2 · Jan 13, 2013

You only need a product key.

It works with either 32 or 64 bit installation media.

Once you have the key - get hold of vista 64 bit install iso. Preferably get one that has SP2 already integrated to save a lot of mucking around.

Patonb · Jan 13, 2013

Retail copies can be legally resold, oem can't. Also buying a system builders disk froman authorized dealer is 100% legal, but is tied to the system it is first registared on.

That said, you can usually reuse an oem in a computer you had to repair, though it'll usually require call MS and explaining the issue.

Also don't buy a vista... It won't be legit, download the digital copy from the link below
Illustrative Guide to Create Bootable ISO Image from Vista .WIN Image Files « My Digital Life

It's free, and technically you only actually buy the product key, and not the actual softwasre

wither 3 · Jan 13, 2013

Can't seem to get that link to work.

Patonb · Jan 13, 2013

So weird, i got it from a post off our site originally provided by s1w2
http://www.vistax64.com/software/297919-installing-new-hard-drive-5.html#post1377774
Now it's down..

wither 3 · Jan 13, 2013

I got it to load from the e-mail I got for this thread.

Patonb · Jan 13, 2013

Sites back up for me now through the link.

Buying used Vista upgrade DVD

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