Full installation with original COA only?

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ferry
ferry Posts: 2,008 Forumite
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in Techie Stuff
Is it possible to carry out a full new installation of Vista if i have just the activation key?
Usually the other way round but I had no disc when I acquired the PC but being a business model I have a COA.
Any ideas please guys appreciated
F x
:j

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  • ThemeOne
    ThemeOne Posts: 1,471 Forumite
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    It should be, provided you have installation media for the correct version of Vista. You might be routed through phone activation though.
  • NiftyDigits
    NiftyDigits Posts: 10,459 Forumite
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    What brand and model number of machine and which edition of Vista?
  • NiftyDigits
    NiftyDigits Posts: 10,459 Forumite
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    I'm off on holiday, so you'll just have to make do with plain image links. :)

    https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B6bNnleDp7llSGZoNk0tTC1iX00?tid=0B6bNnleDp7llOTJwd3M4eTZGazQ
  • ferry
    ferry Posts: 2,008 Forumite
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    NiftyDigits wrote: »
    What brand and model number of machine and which edition of Vista?
    Sorry bit late but it's a Dell Vostro 220s with Vista Business edition
    :j
  • NiftyDigits
    NiftyDigits Posts: 10,459 Forumite
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    ferry wrote: »
    Sorry bit late but it's a Dell Vostro 220s with Vista Business edition

    So the link to the images supplied should work, as the DVD contains Vista Buisiness.
    If it still contains just 2GB of RAM, choose the 32 bit version. 4GB of RAM and upwards, the 64 bit version.

    Alternatively, if you would prefer to install Windows 7, simply update the BIOS firmware with the latest update here

    Instructions here

    Once completed, you can install Windows 7 using a standard DELL Windows 7 re-installation disc.

    Example to be found here

    Of course you can find links to the installation image online, but if you would like an official installation disc, that is one.
  • ferry
    ferry Posts: 2,008 Forumite
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    Apologies for raising an old thread but are the links to a full install of Vista? Never seen it being done like that before , I assume its a .rar file ? Will I need to burn it to DVD before I can install it?

    Thanks for the ongoing help
    :j
  • NiftyDigits
    NiftyDigits Posts: 10,459 Forumite
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    If it's a .rar/zip file, you need to download, save and then extract it from rar/zip form using WinRar or 7-zip.
    Then burn the resulting .iso image to disc using ImageBurn image to disc option or the built in Image Burner in Windows 7 upwards.

    Take the hint and forget about Vista. It's support ends in April. 11/04/2017

    Install Windows 7 as suggested.
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