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Solve : vista vs illegal windows 7 os? |
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Answer» Hi, my friend has her first laptop, first computer, the laptop had a major worm & virus problem when she got it, it has an "illegal" version of windows 7 on it, she doesn't want to buy a new OS, the vista product key is still readable underneath, we do not know where the original vista OS was loaded, is it acceptable & moral to copy another (my) vista OS + use her original product key? it would get her up and running, she could decide to upgrade later, is windows 7 that much better? would a beginner be better off? please guide us THANKS for being here Borrow a Vista CD to install the OS using her validation. NOTE: The versions have to match exactly. ALSO it should be an MS Vista CD...not OEM such as Dell Acer etc. This is perfectly legal to do so... Don't forget the Updates.This post is running very close to a line that CH members cannot cross. Which is advocating or promoting any activities which are illegal.Therefore "it has an "illegal" version of windows 7 on it, she doesn't want to buy a new OS, is not a subject we can address. This statement MAY provide some solution "the vista product key is still readable underneath,". You can try contacting Microsoft and telling them that the original installed version of Vista no longer functions and that you do not have the O/S disc (very common to be so) nor do you have any recovery discs. By supplying the product key you may be able to have them provide you with disc for the O/S (it won't be free--but it will be nominal as opposed to buying the software retail). "is it acceptable & moral to copy another (my) vista OS + use her original product key?" Generally speaking an O/S supplied with a computer (discs) in this case yours are specific to a particular computer(yours in this case) and while you MAY be able to install it when it goes to touchy feely with Microsoft --which it will do at some point you may lose the use of the computer it is installed on (hers). No matter which way you go you may encounter problems which will necessitate the purchase of a legitimate Windows O/S. There is however an alternative to this and that is install a free version of Ubuntu or there is another company that also has a free O/S available (it escapes me as to who it is). Others may know the name. I think Chrome also has one. truenorthThe first thing I'd do is look to see whether that computer has a recovery partition on it. If the original recovery partition is still intact, try using it to reinstall the OEM version of Vista that was on the machine when it was new. Another option in this situation is to contact the manufacturer and request a recovery disc from them. They may be able to and willing to send one for a small fee. Using an official MS CD to re-install the OS on a liscensed machine is perfectly Legal and covered in MS's EULA agreement...Agreed--my concern is that it is a disc supplied by his computer manufacturer an NOT a Microsoft disc. truenorth Quote from: patio on February 21, 2011, 08:22:32 AM Using an official MS CD to re-install the OS on a liscensed machine is perfectly Legal and covered in MS's EULA agreement...Right, I AGREE with that. Still, if the recovery partition can be used, it would have the device drivers and be an easy way to get the system up and running. Probably isn't...that's why i mentioned it... Quote from: soybean on February 21, 2011, 08:39:04 AM Right, I agree with that. Still, if the recovery partition can be used, it would have the device drivers and be an easy way to get the system up and running. Good point also Soybean. We may never know....Thanks for the response so far, just to clarify 'it has an "illegal" version of windows 7 on it, she doesn't want to buy a new OS,' the 'illegal' version 'expires in 20 days' i am not intending to endorse illegal actions both machines have OEM versions also i think we might have a disc available from another friend to reinstall vista but would that be compatible with OEM thanks again Quote from: soybean on February 21, 2011, 08:19:13 AM The first thing I'd do is look to see whether that computer has a recovery partition on it.Have you done this? Do you know what to look for?I haven't looked for a recovery partition this is mostly because I do not know, where / how to but i did forget a little too possibly because i do not know where / how I would like directions / or a guide perhaps just breadcrumbs Thanks for responses Travel to the manuf. site....they will have step by step directions... It's different for most manuf.i've read that F10 at start up should begin the recovery process, does that sound right for this need? we do not have any recovery discs, part of instruction suggests making a recovery disc, does that mean it will still be windows7? thanks againNo... It will be the original installed OS which ACCORDING to what you've told us was Vista... Follow the instructions and move forward... |
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