[jayjay23]

Hi there again...

I was wondering if I could re-install Vista on my brother's laptop but...

He doesn't have the original disk (HOME BASIC 32), however I have my old (HOME PREMIUM 64) disk lying around with the product key and I don't use it anymore because I am now on fresh install of windows 7, and it's from a desktop pc not a laptop (I presume that doesn't matter?)

How can I check if my 64bit version will be ok to install on his laptop? (Or can I really only use it on the machine it was supplied with?)

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Legally, if it's an OEM version that came with the computer then it's tied to the hardware and cannot be used on another computer.

If it's a retail version and you did not upgrade from Vista to Windows 7 then you can use it anywhere you want.

You need to make sure the laptop supports a 64bit OS though.

[Ztruker]

Legally, if it's an OEM version that came with the computer then it's tied to the hardware and cannot be used on another computer.

If it's a retail version and you did not upgrade from Vista to Windows 7 then you can use it anywhere you want.

You need to make sure the laptop supports a 64bit OS though.

[jayjay23]

Thanks, how would I determine that?

Also, is there another way? ie, is there a way to know if there is a recovery partition on his laptop - and if so is that a way I can go back to factory settings?

[Wolfeymole]

What make is your brothers laptop?

[123Runner]

Lets take a look at the drives and partitions.

Go to start
Go to run
Type in compmgmt.msc
Click on OK
On the left side under storage...click on disk management.
Make sure the right side showing the drives is expanded so we can see it all.
Take a screen shot showing the drives and partitions.


To do a screenshot please click on your Print Screen on your keyboard. It is normally the key above your number pad between the F12 key and the Scroll Lock key
Now go to Start and then to All Programs
Scroll to Accessories and then click on Paint
In the Empty White Area click and hold the CTRL key and then click the V
Go to the File option at the top and click on Save as
Save as file type JPEG and save it to your Desktop

Attach it to your next reply