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November 20th, 2011 04:00
Vista Reinstall - Product Key... HELP!!
I had a hard drive crash on my Dell Dimension C521 and had someone replace the hard drive. They were supposed to replace my OS and left me with a counterfiet version of Windows 7. I originally had Windows Vista, how/where do I find my Product Key Code and what do I have to do to get my original OS back? Thanks!!!
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jaylee714
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November 20th, 2011 05:00
I have a 7 digit number with a bar code. Is that it? Do you know I can download Windows Vista so I can type in the product code?
ieee488
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November 20th, 2011 05:00
The product key code is on the sticker that is on the back of your computer.
theflash1932
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November 20th, 2011 07:00
It's not a counterfeit version - it simply was not activated. The 7-character code is your Service Tag - your system's serial number. There is a Dell/Microsoft sticker (on one of the sides) that has a 25-character code on it. This is your Windows Product Key which you will need to activate Windows.
jaylee714
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November 20th, 2011 08:00
I found the 25 digit product key. Now how to I get Vista back as my OS and enter that code?
theflash1932
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November 20th, 2011 09:00
Sorry I missed the part where Vista was your original OS and whoever worked on you PC put Windows 7. If you have a Vista DVD, the easiest thing to do is just boot to it, delete existing partitions, and install it from scratch. If you don't have a DVD, you can try to download it at the link below (will require you to activate by phone - short and painless):
en.community.dell.com/.../microsoft-windows-and-microsoft-office-downloads.aspx
Best thing to do though might be to take it back to this person that worked on it and have them install the OS they were supposed to in the first place, including activation ... for free. If this was your original agreement with them, then they should have no problem (if reputable) doing so. Just don't pay them any money for additional work.
ieee488
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November 20th, 2011 17:00
I don't get the impression that whoever worked on the PC was suppose to put Windows 7 on it.
I think the OP wanted to just have his hard drive replaced and the original OS and everything else put back on it.
However, I could be wrong.
theflash1932
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November 20th, 2011 19:00
I am under the same impression, but in case I wasn't clear in my post, let me rephrase:
Best thing to do though might be to take it back to this person that worked on it and have them install the OS they were supposed to in the first place [Vista, instead of Windows 7], including activation ... for free. If [installing the original OS - Vista] was your original agreement with them, then they should have no problem (if reputable) doing so. Just don't pay them any money for additional work.