Install OEM Vista Home Premium with laptop supplied key?

Hi, my girlfriend has inherited my Acer 5610z notebook and she likes it. However, the default install of Vista Home Premium is a little old and slow, and we'd like to format and start over, maybe even with a new hard drive.

I tried to restore using Alt-F10, but nothing happens. So I was thinking I'll try installing a spare student copy of Windows XP Pro that she has. There are problems with that, so I'd like to have a backup, which is where the question comes in...

If I install Windows Vista Home Premium from an OEM (no manufacturer-specific) DVD/CD, can I use the key from the bottom of the laptop to activate it? I've heard I can, but I'd like to be sure before I flatten and reinstall.

 

Hi.

Read the link below and try the ABR file to see if you have a pre-activated key, it will save you having to use the key on the bottom of your notebook if you ever want to sell it.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=120228

Regards

John.

 

You can only do that on the same notebook that the key came with, but yes it should work.

 

Thank you, I will try it out. Got an ISO downloading right now.