Vista - install vista home premium over basic?

I use vista home premium on my office computer, and purchased a laptop that advertised the same version installed. I am an hour drive away from the place of purchase. When I booted the laptop, it loaded vista basic. I want both versions to be the same. Can I do a backup of my office computer, then install it over my laptop system?

you cant use an office backup to install to the laptop. there are different drivers for each machine. If you have the vista license for each and have the vista dvd for the office machine you can use that to install it on your laptop

let us know if we can help

ken

Both computers had Vista pre-installed, so I don't have licenses for them unless they are stored somewhere on my computers. I have no CD for the systems.

if vista was pre-installed you have an OEM key usually on the laptop case and the work machine case.

OK. Where do I find this key? Sorry to not know more. I used a MAC forever before just now switching to a PC so things are different.

OK, on the back of my laptop I find a sticker with someletters that say "OEMAct" with some barcodes and other letters at the bottom. If this is it, how do I use it to get vista premium from my work machine to my laptop?

what kind of laptop? what kind of work computer? the laptop usually has a sticker and it says something like windows vista home premium. s ticker is abt 2"x3" if it isnt there we can get it from the software.

in any case you have the disk so it should have a key with it. that can be used to install it.

ken

do you have the work machine vista disk?

I have no disc for either computer. Both are HP machines.

eeks

If you are going to stay on vista and not migrate to win 7, it might be a good idea to download and burn a vista dvd. If you google vista downloads you can probably find a MS link for the download. Im not using a vista machine right now so I dont have my bookmarks.

let me know if you need help

ken