Windows Vista-- Came with Computer...

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Ozzyborne

New Member
Alright, so when I got my computer it came with Windows Vista Home Premium, and it also came with a disc of it in case I needed to reset everything. It says that it's only for distribution on eMachines, and because I'm a complete n00by at this I was confused on something. I came here to help teach myself what I need to build myself a new gaming computer, and I was wondering: would I be able to use that disc on a newly created gaming computer to have Windows Vista Home Premium?
 
Assuming the disk is an actual install disk (IE not one with programs besides windows on it) and you have it loaded on only one computer. You'll probably have to call Microsoft to have it re activated, you just need to tell them you've upgraded your computer
 
Is the "newly created gaming computer" the same one that came with Vista? Or are you planning on building a new computer and using that disc to install Windows?

In the case of the latter - then no it won't work and you also won't get Microsoft to give you a new key.

If you are just upgrading the existing computer - then it depends on how drastic of an update it is (in other words, how many new components your are adding or replacing). It might work and it might not. But in that case, you could ask Microsoft for a new key.
 
Thank you both for your answers, yes it's an actual disc and not a program. Although, it didn't come with a box. On the disc is says things like "Use this disc to re-install your operating system." and "WARNING: This process erases all data and files from the hard drive.", and thirdly " To re-install the operating system: Insert this disc, restart your computer, then follow the on-screen instructions."

I don't know if that will help any, but hopefully it will. Oh, and the new computer is one that I am going to build from the ground up.
 
As long as it's a copy of Vista and not some HD image, you should be fine. Just realize as PC Hobbyist said, you're not going to get a new key. You can technically only have the install on one computer. However (at least with XP) you should be able to move it between systems.
 
Ozzyborne said:
Thank you both for your answers, yes it's an actual disc and not a program. Although, it didn't come with a box. On the disc is says things like "Use this disc to re-install your operating system." and "WARNING: This process erases all data and files from the hard drive.", and thirdly " To re-install the operating system: Insert this disc, restart your computer, then follow the on-screen instructions."

I don't know if that will help any, but hopefully it will. Oh, and the new computer is one that I am going to build from the ground up.
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Pop it into your computer and see what it says.

If it has something along the lines of norton ghost, acronis, or another hard drive imaging program them it wont work.

If it boots into the windows vista installer, it may work.
 
Ozzyborne said:
Thank you both for your answers, yes it's an actual disc and not a program. Although, it didn't come with a box. On the disc is says things like "Use this disc to re-install your operating system." and "WARNING: This process erases all data and files from the hard drive.", and thirdly " To re-install the operating system: Insert this disc, restart your computer, then follow the on-screen instructions."

I don't know if that will help any, but hopefully it will. Oh, and the new computer is one that I am going to build from the ground up.
Click to expand...
Unfortunately, this sounds like a System Restore disc instead of a copy of a Windows OS. This means that when you boot with this disc and follow the instructions, it will erase your hard drive and all its data, and then put a fresh image of Windows and all the apps that were preinstalled when you first bought the computer and turned it on.

I had an eMachines like this and learned the hard way, losing tons of installed apps and data when I had to reinstall Windows. The Restore Disc was a Norton-Ghost'ed hard drive image for that particular model. I had to make sure the whole computer had all the original hardware that came with it. That means I had to reinstall the 56k modem, take out the video card, take out the sound card, take out the slave hard drive, and reset the BIOS to use onboard video and sound. Otherwise the reinstall hung when trying to boot Windows for the first time after reinstalling the image.

Being an eMachines disc, I never had to enter a Windows product key, either. It was pre-activated automatically.
 
No, you won't be able to use the disc.

It's an OEM disc that has already been activated and is registered to your current machine.

Even if you could get it to install on your new build, you would not be able to activate it.
 
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