I have a very unique question, that I really would like to be answered

[Big Phil]

First off, I just want to warn you all, do not get the wrong impression, just read this in entirety (I'm making it short), and you'll understand where I'm coming from.

My laptop came with Vista Home Basic, obviously a genuine copy. I am planning on installing Vista x64. Microsoft is offering to ship you a Vista x64 dvd for free, as long as you pay the shipping. But I'm kind of broke right now, and I don't want to wait the 2 weeks that it will take for them to ship me it. Does anybody here think it's possible to download a pirated ISO of Vista x64, and install Vista Home Basic x64 (the version that my laptop came with (in the x86 incarnation)), and validate it with my genuine vista validation code that came with my laptop. Don't think I'm suggesting that I want to actually use a pirated illegal version, if that was the case, I'd just install Vista

 

[vantim]

Nope. It won't work. Trust me, you're better off borrowing the 10 bucks and waiting the 2 weeks. The code you have for your laptop is an oem code and it differs from the boxed version. I understand you want to be on the up and up, and I applaud that, but it just won't work and even if it did... I don't think it would pass the genuine advantage anyway. Which would render updating (let alone activating) impossible.

 

[joel406]

Hello Big Phil.

*** COMMENT REMOVED *** by Brink


Yes you can download Vista from wherever and more then likly willl work with your key. If you get it from the right place you will be downloading a ISO rip of the retail version anyway. And it doesent matter if it's a OEM key and a retail version. The key will work and install the correct version. However every OEM version gets only one online activation. You "will" have to call microsoft to get it activated. But they "will" activate it.

Also your OEM key will work for the x64 version of Vista Basic.

vantim you really should'nt reply if you have no idea what your talking about.

 

[vantim]

Hi Joel406, thanks for setting me straight. I may have been mistaken about the product key in vista (any other version of windows would not work that way) but A pirated version of windows is a pirated version of windows.... Period. Whether your intentions are good or not. If you use your key to activate a copy of windows you don't own it's illegal. If that was the case Vista would be offered on MS Downloads. I don't know who you think you are Joel, but you are not above the rules. Anyway...

How nice and welcoming it is to be a member of a forum for less than 24 hours an be insulted. 30 mins. to post a paragraph? I'm sorry if you think I type twice as fast as you can obviously think.

 

[joel406]

You buy the key. Thats how it works. Any XP key will work with any XP disk with the version(home or pro or MCE or x64)it belongs to. You could argue that a disk gotten elsewhere other then the retail or OEM route is pirated. Really its not. Unless you use activation cracks. Then your really only guilty of cracking the activation.

What Vista really is as far as the free market is concerned is a set of characters that a disk reads to determine what version to install(product key). THis is why a legit OEM key works with ANY MS disk. The code tells microsoft your install is legit and what type of support your entiteled to. OEM or retail, a code is a code as far as the "disk" is concerned. as far as MS is concerned it tells them if they support you or the people that built your system support you. If you bought Windows you got a key only you have. Thats your copy of Windows.

 

[joel406]

In other words, if you already paid for a code you own that version of the product. The disk is'nt.

 

[AvatarOfTheShip]

It does work because I have a (perfectly legal) x64 copy of Vista Ultimate and a (ditto) x86 version. I really wanted both to be 64-bit to avoid the hassle of getting two sets of drivers etc ( I know, I know...) so I used the '64-bit disc' and the '32-bit key' and all was well and the 64-bit version was installed. Joel is right, you buy the key not the code. If Big Phil has a kosher key he's OK and if he was dodgy he'd just go the whole way and find some warez site offering a crack and install Ultimate.

 

[mathews2010]

guys...chill out..it is possible.
also..joel...not sayn anythin bad...but be a little nicer to vantim..he may be a beginner to the forum and got mistaken on something

 

[Brink]

Hello vantim and joel406,

If you cannot act like adults and stop the petty comments, I will remove you. Consider this your one and only warning.

The posts have been removed.

Thank you,
Shawn

 

[vantim]

Thank you Brink. I appreciate that. But not with him.

 

[billybob]

Well Howdy Brink. Always good to see a fellow Texan!

 

[Brink]

Hi Billy,

Same here. Any reference to Billy Bob's in Fort Worth?

Shawn

 

[Brink]

Thank you Brink. I appreciate that. But not with him.

Vantim,

Your welcome. Just no more comments in your signature like that. Just report the post if this happens again, and we will take care of it from there.

Shawn

 

[Brink]

First off, I just want to warn you all, do not get the wrong impression, just read this in entirety (I'm making it short), and you'll understand where I'm coming from.

My laptop came with Vista Home Basic, obviously a genuine copy. I am planning on installing Vista x64. Microsoft is offering to ship you a Vista x64 dvd for free, as long as you pay the shipping. But I'm kind of broke right now, and I don't want to wait the 2 weeks that it will take for them to ship me it. Does anybody here think it's possible to download a pirated ISO of Vista x64, and install Vista Home Basic x64 (the version that my laptop came with (in the x86 incarnation)), and validate it with my genuine vista validation code that came with my laptop. Don't think I'm suggesting that I want to actually use a pirated illegal version, if that was the case, I'd just install Vista

Hi Big Phil,

With Vista, you are purchasing the license product key number and not the DVD. It just comes with it so you can install Vista. Each version of Vista has a product key number that will work on the 32 bit and 64 bit version for that particular version. (EX: Home Basic) All 32 bit or 64 bit Vista installation DVD's, except OEM recovery DVD's, can be used to install any version (EX: Home Basic) of Vista that your product key number is for. The 32 bit or 64 bit Vista installation DVD by itself without a product key number is nothing more than a 30 day free trial version of whichever version of Vista you want to install. This is the way it was designed and legal.

You might consider trying to borrow a friends 64 bit Vista installation DVD if they have one. It will be safer. A burned copy of Vista may have some unwanted additions.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[billybob]

Hi Billy,

Same here. Any reference to Billy Bob's in Fort Worth?

Shawn

Nope! Just a nickname my wife gave me a few hundred years ago.