OEM Key, no oem disk

[Rouault]

I read that one file can be deleted from a windows 7 disc that enables it to be used for any lisence. Is there anything like that for Vista?

I already have a retail version installed and if possible would like to get it to take my key somehow. If it's possible that is. Microsoft should really make this easier seeing there isn't any difference between retail and oem as far as the software is concerned..

Thanks for reading, any help is much appreciated.

 

[richc46]

If you now have an OEM key for the same version of Vista that is on your machine and you qualify as an OEM dealer this what you can do.
Install when asked for the key number do not give it, when asked to activate automatically when online untick the box
When you are installed activate by phone. If there is a problem a rep will help and activate you.
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/84488-activate-vista-phone.html

Your OEM must be the same edition, eg Home Primium or Professional

What you are referring to should work the same as Seven
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/85813-windows-7-universal-installation-disc-create.html
This only allows any edition. Has nothing to do with OEM v retail

I do not understand how you can have a retail version and and OEM key. That being said, this activtion will only work if everything meets the criteria of MS. They will check the key number that you are using to ensue that it has not been used before and is a legal number.
One criteria is that you meet the requirements as an OEM manufacturer, which I sincerely doubt or your computer came with Vista preinstalled (same edition)

 

[Rouault]

Right, vista came preinstalled. I don't want the recovery discs to set up another recovery partition, along with software I don't want. Ideally I'd get ahold of an oem disc and simply use that, but I don't have one, and I don't want do download the 'cracked' versions online because I have a legitimate key I want to use.

If there was somewhere I could download an unaltered image of Vista 64 oem that would be my solution, but I can't find one.

 

[Rouault]

I searched the forums and found someone who claims that the vista oem and retail discs are identical 'byte for byte'.

If his oem and retial keys work for both oem and retail discs why don't mine?

 

[richc46]

I told you how to make it work