Use Vista32 Key with Vista32 SP1 disk?

[Kyxter]

I hope this is the right place to ask this.

My gf's HP laptop is freezing constantly, and no anti-virus or malware scans (even boot-time) seem to permanently clean/fix it. Its collected tons of junk since she first got it anyway and the best solution would be a nice fresh format.

Its running Vista Home Premium 32-bit, with the serial key on the genuine sticker on the laptop as usual, but she lost the original Vista installation disk and the other HP backup disks.

I haven't been able to get a hold of an original Vista32 Home Premium cd, but I do have a Vista Home Premium SP1 32-bit that came with my laptop.

Before i do a format on her pc though id like to know if her genuine key would work with my SP1 cd, or if there's a legit way of obtaining another copy an original Vista32 home premium disk without having to buy it all over again. Obviously we still have the key from the original purchase and just need a cd to install it with.

Thanks in advance,

Pierre-Eric

[roadgeek9]

Wait, is your copy of Vista OEM or not? Because OEM keys only work on OEM CDs, and Retail keys only work on Retail CDs.

[Ambroos]

I'd just try it. Vista asks for a key (and checks if it can be installed) before any change to your disk is made.

[winrez]

Wait, is your copy of Vista OEM or not? Because OEM keys only work on OEM CDs, and Retail keys only work on Retail CDs.

A Vista key is a Vista Key doesnt matter whether it is OEM VLM or Retail same goes for 32 and 64 bit. What your talking about is from Windows XP Vista doesnt have those limitations

Just another plus is you can take a Vista Hard Drive out of a dead PC hook it up to a new PC and it will install the correct drivers vs XP that will Blue Screen

[Kyxter]

Being from HP and Dell respectively, id assume they are both OEM disks.

My concern with just going ahead and trying the vista key with the vista SP1 cd is that if it doesnt work then she'll be left with a non-functional laptop if the key-entering part is after the format part (i dont remember the order in the setup), unless i put linux on there :p

Thanks for the replies

[darkmanx21]

Yeah..just try it. I am pretty sure it will still work. If your laptop is crashing so much, it could be hardware also. I was dealing with a friends laptop and it kept crashing even after re-installs..turned out the WiFi card was going bad and causing issues. Had to send the whole laptop in...

[Andrew Lyle Global Moderator]

Vista and Vista SP1 are completely different, and require different keys. The key you get for let's say, Vista OEM will not work on a Vista Retail (SP1).

[Kyxter]

Hmm, i was afraid they would be incompatible. I may still try my sp1 disk out of curiosity once i do get my hands on a non-sp1 oem disk that i know will work for sure after :)

thanks a lot for the advice

[Rigby]

Vista and Vista SP1 are completely different, and require different keys. The key you get for let's say, Vista OEM will not work on a Vista Retail (SP1).

Are you sure? From what I understand all Vista discs are identical, and all versions come on one DVD (except for the 64-bit versions which are a seperate disc). You can use any key with any disc as long as it's a valid key. The type of key determines the version of Vista that gets installed. I can't imagine them making SP1 discs incompatible with existing keys; at least I hadn't heard anything about that.

[Paixao]

Mine is OEM and it works on SP1 disks.

It's home premium.

[Eoin]

Had no problems using my Vista x64 OEM key with a Vista x64 + SP1 dvd. The disc used for the reinstall was burned from the images released on MSDN, those are retail discs as best I understand.

Indeed my non-expert understanding is that retail and OEM differ only in the licenses you get but otherwise are the same discs and keys.

[+Tantawi Subscriber²]

Vista and Vista SP1 are completely different, and require different keys. The key you get for let's say, Vista OEM will not work on a Vista Retail (SP1).

That's totally wrong! (N).

Her original key will work with the Vista Home Premium SP1 disk, period.

[Kyxter]

I found some screenshots of the installation process and the key entering part is definitely before the format (which makes sense i just had to make sure)

Im going to go ahead and try it with my SP1 cd and her key, and report my findings. Thanks a lot for all the feedback

[Chaks]

1) Windows Vista OEM Pack and Retail Pack differ and thus their product keys also differ. A product key for OEM 'might' not work for Retail, and vice versa.

2) Vista SP1 disc accepts Vista non-SP1 keys.

3) For a check, you could always run the Vista installer (just the initial dialogs), put the key, if you get accepted then it works :cool: , else it doesnt :unsure:

(Note that, I have used 'might')

[Skulltrail-old]

Vista and Vista SP1 are completely different, and require different keys. The key you get for let's say, Vista OEM will not work on a Vista Retail (SP1).

That's incorrect. Vista SP1 is just an upgrade of Vista RTM, it is not in fact a different operating system. A Vista SP1 CD is only Vista w/SP1 slipstreamed on it straight from Microsoft, nothing else. When you purchase Vista today, you will get an SP1 copy (depending on where you purchase it).

OEM and Retail are different though. If you have an product key sticker on your computer than the CD that came with your computer is an OEM CD. If you purchased a custom computer, or if you just bought Vista CD with product key, it will be retail. OEM keys will not work with Retail CDs, and vice versa.

[Chan Smith]

Why don't you call hp and order the cd and backup cd's for it? You might have to pay something but if the laptop is worth it they do it. I don't know if they charge or not but I would at least call and try.

HP ordering a recovery cd

:D :)

I hope this is the right place to ask this.

My gf's HP laptop is freezing constantly, and no anti-virus or malware scans (even boot-time) seem to permanently clean/fix it. Its collected tons of junk since she first got it anyway and the best solution would be a nice fresh format.

Its running Vista Home Premium 32-bit, with the serial key on the genuine sticker on the laptop as usual, but she lost the original Vista installation disk and the other HP backup disks.

I haven't been able to get a hold of an original Vista32 Home Premium cd, but I do have a Vista Home Premium SP1 32-bit that came with my laptop.

Before i do a format on her pc though id like to know if her genuine key would work with my SP1 cd, or if there's a legit way of obtaining another copy an original Vista32 home premium disk without having to buy it all over again. Obviously we still have the key from the original purchase and just need a cd to install it with.

Thanks in advance,

Pierre-Eric

[+Ryster Subscriber²]

Vista and Vista SP1 are completely different, and require different keys.

As others have said, you are 100% wrong. The service pack slipstreamed into the install media has absolutely nothing to do with the key you use.

As for the OEM vs Retail debate, I can only say this; I've not had dealings with Vista OEM yet. However if it is anything like XP, an OEM key will not work on a Retail version of Windows and vice versa.

[aussiefloyd_fan]

youcould always download one thats already integrated and automatically activated i mean you could put your disc in and enter the product key and see if it passes.. if it does do a custom install and delete the partition make a new one format twice and then install