eddified
Extraordinary Member
- Joined
- Nov 3, 2009
- Messages
- 17
- Thread Author
- #1
Hi,
My friend has an 8-year old Dell Studio One all-in-one desktop computer that appears to have a bad hard drive. My friend doesn't have a recovery USB nor DVD. Question is, if we get a new hard drive, is there a way we can install and activate Windows Vista legally, without buying Windows? I'm thinking maybe that Windows will recognize the computer based on the BIOS? (This was before EFI).
Thanks.
Edit: It has a Windows Vista Home Premium product key on the bottom. Will this help me install and/or activate Windows for free? Also, how can I determine if the existing key is for 32-bit or 64-bit?
My friend has an 8-year old Dell Studio One all-in-one desktop computer that appears to have a bad hard drive. My friend doesn't have a recovery USB nor DVD. Question is, if we get a new hard drive, is there a way we can install and activate Windows Vista legally, without buying Windows? I'm thinking maybe that Windows will recognize the computer based on the BIOS? (This was before EFI).
Thanks.
Edit: It has a Windows Vista Home Premium product key on the bottom. Will this help me install and/or activate Windows for free? Also, how can I determine if the existing key is for 32-bit or 64-bit?