I might end up with 2 PCs, one with no OS.

My main one is running Vista 64, bought all legit pre installed as part of the package. I don't have any disks but I was asked to make some backup disks when I first started using it. I would like to run Win 7 on this PC.

Now if I run Win 7 on the first PC and if I cannot run it on another PC because it is only one license, can I somehow get the legitimate Vista I already have on the first PC "out" of that PC and get it into and working on the PC which currently has no OS ?

IN my mind, I would then have 2 PCs and 2 legitimate OSs.

I have no idea how that would work.

Oh, one of the PCs does not have an optical drive. It would be this one http://www.hotukdeals.com/item/603295/ebuy...rerevo-r3600-wi

Don't really want to spend money on two new OS.

Any ideas most gratefully received.

Borrow a disk from a friend or computer store and install Vista on the other pc, using the licence that originally came with Vista. So long as you aren't using it on the old pc this is 100% legal and legit.

Borrow a disk from a friend or computer store and install Vista on the other pc, using the licence that originally came with Vista. So long as you aren't using it on the old pc this is 100% legal and legit.

OK, I found the product key on the side of the PC.

I don't have a friend and cannot get a copy of Vista from a disc. Can I do either of these ?

1) Go to the net and get a copy of Vista ? I could put that on an external HDD but how would I get that into the new PC ?

2) Just use the disks that the PC asked me to make when I first got it ? Isn't that good enough for a complete install ?

Thanks

Personally, I'd throw Vista in the bin, and get Windows 7 on both. But yes, you can download copies of all OS on the web, usually they come as a CD/DVD ISO file, burn to disk using Nero or similar, and install from that. You can move the drive from one machine to the other to do the install. It might be possible to use the disks you made. If you are in Thailand a shop will also install for you, change the licence key after they've done it to make it legit.

Edited February 12, 201016 yr by stolidfeline

Personally, I'd throw Vista in the bin, and get Windows 7 on both. But yes, you can download copies of all OS on the web, usually they come as a CD/DVD ISO file, burn to disk using Nero or similar, and install from that. You can move the drive from one machine to the other to do the install. It might be possible to use the disks you made.

Sorry, what do you mean by moving the drive from one machine to the other ? Do you mean to download it, save it to the external drive and then plug the external drive into the PC through USB on the PC without an optical drive ? If so, how would I get the files to install the OS ?

Sorry for being so basic but I've never done anything with an OS before and I'm more than a little apprehensive !

Now if I run Win 7 on the first PC and if I cannot run it on another PC because it is only one license, can I somehow get the legitimate Vista I already have on the first PC "out" of that PC and get it into and working on the PC which currently has no OS ?

It depends. If your Vista product key is an OEM key, the answer is "no". Only retail keys can be transferred to a new machine.

You can get Windows in two flavors: retail, which is what you buy at a store, is a less restrictive license (you can transfer it between machines, as long as only one machine is activated at a time), and you are entitled to support from Microsoft. OEM is a cheaper license, that you get when you get Windows bundled with a PC or if you buy a "system builder" copy from places like Newegg. OEM is cheaper because it's locked to a system (you can't transfer your license to another machine), and you are not entitled to tech support (the person who built your computer is responsible).

Generally speaking, there are two types of OEMs: regular and "royalty". Regular OEM is what you get when you buy a "system builder" OEM Windows. Except for the label on the disc, regular OEM discs are the same as retail discs, and they install the exact same bits as a retail disc. The difference is not in the disc, but in the key: if you activate Windows with a OEM key, that key is forever tied to your system, whereas if you use a retail key to activate, you can move that activation to another computer in the future.

Source

Did it on Monday....

Myself bought a new WD 650 GB hard drive, unpluged the old WD 650 GB hard drive, and put Win 7 on the new hard drive..

Then plug in the old hard drive [REMEMBER to change the pin on the hard drive so the old hard drive is SLAVE] restared PC and opened all the applications and re-downloaded onto the new 'C' drive, copyed all my docs and photos etc, unpluged the Vista hard drive and put into my old PC, both PC working fine....

A clean install is much better...... but you could use software to make a true copy and install on the old PC, you could also use a LAN cable to both PC's to do the same.

Hard drives are not expensive, now I have 2 hard drives in both PC's both are the 2x 650GB and 2x 320GB

Now if I run Win 7 on the first PC and if I cannot run it on another PC because it is only one license, can I somehow get the legitimate Vista I already have on the first PC "out" of that PC and get it into and working on the PC which currently has no OS ?

It depends. If your Vista product key is an OEM key, the answer is "no". Only retail keys can be transferred to a new machine.

You can get Windows in two flavors: retail, which is what you buy at a store, is a less restrictive license (you can transfer it between machines, as long as only one machine is activated at a time), and you are entitled to support from Microsoft. OEM is a cheaper license, that you get when you get Windows bundled with a PC or if you buy a "system builder" copy from places like Newegg. OEM is cheaper because it's locked to a system (you can't transfer your license to another machine), and you are not entitled to tech support (the person who built your computer is responsible).

Generally speaking, there are two types of OEMs: regular and "royalty". Regular OEM is what you get when you buy a "system builder" OEM Windows. Except for the label on the disc, regular OEM discs are the same as retail discs, and they install the exact same bits as a retail disc. The difference is not in the disc, but in the key: if you activate Windows with a OEM key, that key is forever tied to your system, whereas if you use a retail key to activate, you can move that activation to another computer in the future.

Source

OK, the label has on it "OEM Act".

So your HD dies, you replace it and you have no OS ? That doesn't seem right to me.

How does it know ? say I upgrade some of the PC, would it shut down, given that it is not the same PC ? How is it locked to the PC ? Are you saying it is locked to the HD ?

Surely I own this copy of Vista and can put it where I want ? I'm confused - sorry.

OK, the label has on it "OEM Act".

So your HD dies, you replace it and you have no OS ? That doesn't seem right to me.

How does it know ? say I upgrade some of the PC, would it shut down, given that it is not the same PC ? How is it locked to the PC ? Are you saying it is locked to the HD ?

Surely I own this copy of Vista and can put it where I want ? I'm confused - sorry.

My KEY was 'OEM' Phoned MS explain that you have had to replace the motherboard, they will talk you through entering a new key, they stay on the phone until you are Activated and up and running. ALL FREE and spoke perfect English

Did it on Monday....

Myself bought a new WD 650 GB hard drive, unpluged the old WD 650 GB hard drive, and put Win 7 on the new hard drive..

Then plug in the old hard drive [REMEMBER to change the pin on the hard drive so the old hard drive is SLAVE] restared PC and opened all the applications and re-downloaded onto the new 'C' drive, copyed all my docs and photos etc, unpluged the Vista hard drive and put into my old PC, both PC working fine....

A clean install is much better...... but you could use software to make a true copy and install on the old PC, you could also use a LAN cable to both PC's to do the same.

Hard drives are not expensive, now I have 2 hard drives in both PC's both are the 2x 650GB and 2x 320GB

Sorry, you did just what exactly the other day ? If I walk though it here, have I got it right ?

You had a PC with Vista and a 650g HD.

You buy a new 650gb HD

You unplug the old HD and installed Win 7 on it

You then put in the old HD and copied all of your personal stuff and applications from the old HD to the new one.

You then took the old HD out (with Vista on it) and put that in a different PC.

So now you have one PC with Win 7 that you bought and another PC with Vista on it that was originally in the other PC. Both have connected to the internet and both are running ok.

My additional problem is that the proposed new PC, with no OS, is running on a 2.5" HD as per a laptop and not a 3.5" HD so I could not just swap them over

Any other ideas ?

OK, the label has on it "OEM Act".

So your HD dies, you replace it and you have no OS ? That doesn't seem right to me.

How does it know ? say I upgrade some of the PC, would it shut down, given that it is not the same PC ? How is it locked to the PC ? Are you saying it is locked to the HD ?

Surely I own this copy of Vista and can put it where I want ? I'm confused - sorry.

My KEY was 'OEM' Phoned MS explain that you have had to replace the motherboard, they will talk you through entering a new key, they stay on the phone until you are Activated and up and running. ALL FREE and spoke perfect English

I am in the UK ATM so I guess I could try that - thanks.

However, without downloading a copy from the net, how do I get the current version of Vista out of the current HD ?

You unplug the old HD and installed Win 7 on it

Installed Win 7 on the new hard drive

with no OS, is running on a 2.5" HD

Sorry No idea, all I know is that I could not run or install Vista from a External HD a couple of years ago

I installed Win 7 on a 4Gb USB stick and can do a re-install from that,it works as I tried it.Find all the instructions on the www

I installed Win 7 on a 4Gb USB stick and can do a re-install from that,it works as I tried it.Find all the instructions on the www

The OP was asking about installing VISTA.... not Win 7...... I could not install VISTA on a external HD

Installation isn't a problem... The problem is "Activation". Only a single (retail) product key can be activated at any given time.

Installation isn't a problem... The problem is "Activation". Only a single (retail) product key can be activated at any given time.

As I said before

'Phoned MS explain that you have had to replace the motherboard, they will talk you through entering a new key, they stay on the phone until you are Activated and up and running. ALL FREE and spoke perfect English'

Well it worked for me a couple of years ago... all she asked me is why I want a new "Activation" key.

'Phoned MS explain that you have had to replace the motherboard, they will talk you through entering a new key, they stay on the phone until you are Activated and up and running. ALL FREE and spoke perfect English'

Well it worked for me a couple of years ago... all she asked me is why I want a new "Activation" key.

Of course, but the next person who calls Microsoft requesting a new OEM activation key may not be as fortunate. All I'm saying is, don't take anything for granted -- especially when dealing with Windows Product Activation.

Edited February 12, 201016 yr by Supernova

I've had to call MS twice over this in the last year and it was always quick and painless.