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11-09-2008, 05:04 PM
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#1 (permalink)
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Ultra Techie Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Long Island, NY, USA Posts: 878
|  Retrieving my Vista serial
I currently have Windows Vista Ultimate 64 bit. I'm going to be changing my motherboard tomorrow, and I'm going to need to reinstall an OS. I don't have the serial key because I bought this computer pre-built. Is there any way I can retrieve the serial key from my computer? Also, is there a way I can legally download Vista so I can use my serial key (if possible)?
If not, I got this Server 2008 copy I can use, but I'm kind of skeptical about that. Is everything that's compatible with Vista compatible with Server 2008? Is it hard to make it into a usable OS to game on in DX10?
__________________ ||Core 2 Duo E4600 @ 2.4 GHz (OC coming soon) || Biostar TP45HP || 4GB Kingston DDR2 667 RAM ||
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11-09-2008, 05:10 PM
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#2 (permalink)
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Courtesy of Mak. Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Chichester, England Posts: 4,005
| Re: Retrieving my Vista serial
works fine: SourceForge.net: Downloading ...
and yes it's legal to torrent a OEM copy of windows as long as it isn't cracked.
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11-09-2008, 05:12 PM
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#3 (permalink)
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Ultra Techie Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Long Island, NY, USA Posts: 878
| Re: Retrieving my Vista serial
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nick 
and yes it's legal to torrent a OEM copy of windows as long as it isn't cracked.
| Ok thanks a bunch.
Is there a place from the Windows site or something I can dl it from though?
__________________ ||Core 2 Duo E4600 @ 2.4 GHz (OC coming soon) || Biostar TP45HP || 4GB Kingston DDR2 667 RAM ||
Sapphire HD 4670 512mb @778/1140 || Antec Trio 650w || Maxtor 250gb 7200 RPM HDD || Lite-On DVD-RW || Black Aluminum Case|| | |
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11-09-2008, 05:16 PM
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#4 (permalink)
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Courtesy of Mak. Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Chichester, England Posts: 4,005
| Re: Retrieving my Vista serial
I highly doubt it, search for legal and untouched copies on torrent sites, look at the description to make sure it's not hacked.
__________________ Every time I get Rep, I die inside.
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11-09-2008, 06:01 PM
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#5 (permalink)
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Ultra Techie Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Long Island, NY, USA Posts: 878
| Re: Retrieving my Vista serial
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nick | That program worked perfectly. I just opened it up, and the serial was right there.
__________________ ||Core 2 Duo E4600 @ 2.4 GHz (OC coming soon) || Biostar TP45HP || 4GB Kingston DDR2 667 RAM ||
Sapphire HD 4670 512mb @778/1140 || Antec Trio 650w || Maxtor 250gb 7200 RPM HDD || Lite-On DVD-RW || Black Aluminum Case|| | |
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11-09-2008, 09:20 PM
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#6 (permalink)
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Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: C:\Windows\System32 Posts: 25,687
| Re: Retrieving my Vista serial
As they said it is legal to download a Vista DVD. The serial is what matters and covered by the EULA and all that stuff. You aint that far i could snail mail you a copy in a day or 2. 
__________________ R.I.P. Danny L. Trotter
14 Nov 1945 - 4 Sept 2009 Images created by CarnageX | Decaptured...Listen! | Visit Baezware!! | You've been Mak'd! | 儿做好 I do not accept support questions via EMail, PM, IM or my Spaces page! .:|:. This is what happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object.
Thanks to all the guys on the staff for your support in my time of need. Hefe you are my personal Hero for your contribution. <<<< If I help you, or you just like what I said, rep me   | |
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11-09-2008, 11:34 PM
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#7 (permalink)
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Ultra Techie Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Long Island, NY, USA Posts: 878
| Re: Retrieving my Vista serial
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mak213 As they said it is legal to download a Vista DVD. The serial is what matters and covered by the EULA and all that stuff. You aint that far i could snail mail you a copy in a day or 2. | I highly appreciate the offer, but fortunately it turns out that my friend who I'm helping build a new computer just got Vista Ultimate 64 bit, so I can just use his disc. High five! 
__________________ ||Core 2 Duo E4600 @ 2.4 GHz (OC coming soon) || Biostar TP45HP || 4GB Kingston DDR2 667 RAM ||
Sapphire HD 4670 512mb @778/1140 || Antec Trio 650w || Maxtor 250gb 7200 RPM HDD || Lite-On DVD-RW || Black Aluminum Case|| | |
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11-09-2008, 11:38 PM
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#8 (permalink)
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Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: C:\Windows\System32 Posts: 25,687
| Re: Retrieving my Vista serial
It will only work if he bought a OEM version to match your OEM version. If he bought Retail then the serial you have wont work cause you have a OEM serial.
__________________ R.I.P. Danny L. Trotter
14 Nov 1945 - 4 Sept 2009 Images created by CarnageX | Decaptured...Listen! | Visit Baezware!! | You've been Mak'd! | 儿做好 I do not accept support questions via EMail, PM, IM or my Spaces page! .:|:. This is what happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object.
Thanks to all the guys on the staff for your support in my time of need. Hefe you are my personal Hero for your contribution. <<<< If I help you, or you just like what I said, rep me | |
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11-10-2008, 12:53 AM
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#9 (permalink)
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Ultra Techie Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Long Island, NY, USA Posts: 878
| Re: Retrieving my Vista serial
How do I know if a copy is OEM or not? I know both of our computers are home built computers, so I assume both copies were bought retail.
__________________ ||Core 2 Duo E4600 @ 2.4 GHz (OC coming soon) || Biostar TP45HP || 4GB Kingston DDR2 667 RAM ||
Sapphire HD 4670 512mb @778/1140 || Antec Trio 650w || Maxtor 250gb 7200 RPM HDD || Lite-On DVD-RW || Black Aluminum Case|| | |
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11-10-2008, 01:21 AM
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#10 (permalink)
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Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: South Dakota Posts: 6,058
| Re: Retrieving my Vista serial
It would say 'Retail' on the disc, or 'OEM' or something similar. Will also say if its OEM or not on his serial sticker (as will yours).
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