TrophyHusband 0 #1 January 21, 2009 over the weekend my laptop got a virus that couldn't be removed. i don't store any music, pics, or data on my laptop so i figured it would be no big deal to just reformat the hard drive and re-install windows. the problem comes when it asks me for my product key. i don't have it. not a big deal, i bought and paid for the computer and the software, so i'll just call dell and get it from them. the tech told me it would cost me $49. of course i said no, i already own the software, i just want the key so i can use something i already own. after arguing with her for a while, she said that if i installed it right, it wouldn't ask me for a product key, and it would cost $49 dollars for them to tell me how to install it properly. wtf? she then told me there was no product key for windows. now what do i do? how do i reload windows? this is irritating. if i have to spend any money on something this stupid, i'm buying a mac. "Your scrotum is quite nice" - Skymama www.kjandmegan.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Remster 30 #2 January 21, 2009 Did you get the laptop with the SW from Dell? There's a good chance the windows product key in on a sticker un the bottom of the laptop.Remster Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
beowulf 1 #3 January 21, 2009 The product key is usually located on a sticker on the bottom of your laptop. Have you tried looking for the sticker? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airdvr 210 #4 January 21, 2009 [REPLY] bought and paid for the computer and the software, so i'll just call dell and get it from them. the tech told me it would cost me $49. of course i said no, i already own the software[/REPLY] Read the EULA lately? You don't own software, you pay a user fee.Please don't dent the planet. Destinations by Roxanne Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TrophyHusband 0 #5 January 21, 2009 awesome, there is a product key on the bottom. i'll give it a try. why couldn't she have just told me that? "Your scrotum is quite nice" - Skymama www.kjandmegan.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TrophyHusband 0 #6 January 21, 2009 i'm not familiar with the technicallities. i just know that i've already paid to be able to use the software and shouldn't have to pay again. "Your scrotum is quite nice" - Skymama www.kjandmegan.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 3,085 #7 January 21, 2009 To help prevent that problem, I make a habit of writing the product key directly on the restore CD/DVD or the Windows install DVD/CD. That way you can't lose it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TrophyHusband 0 #8 January 21, 2009 i usually cut it out and tape it to the cd. the person i talked to said that it didn't come with a product key. maybe that's true, or maybe i just lost it. either way, windows is now loading as it should. i'm going to follow your lead and write it in sharpie on the cd. "Your scrotum is quite nice" - Skymama www.kjandmegan.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airdvr 210 #9 January 21, 2009 Quote To help prevent that problem, I make a habit of writing the product key directly on the restore CD/DVD or the Windows install DVD/CD. That way you can't lose it. Hints from VonHelouise Please don't dent the planet. Destinations by Roxanne Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
regulator 0 #10 January 21, 2009 cause she's a dumbass! But hey if you need a key...let me know...I'll generate you a VLK and get it done for FREE. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TrophyHusband 0 #11 January 21, 2009 god dammit, now it wants me to choose a partition. i choose a partition, but then it gives me a bunch of warnings about installing two operating systems on one partition. i try to delete the partition, but it says it can't do it because it has setup files on it. let me back up. the first thing i found this morning was a copy of xp pro that someone had given me. i can't remember why it was given to me. i haven't used it or needed it. i put that on my laptop first. its now installed, but i have 30 days to activate it or i can't use it any more. what i don't know is whether or not this software has been activated by someone else previously. i then did a little more digging to come up with the software that came with the computer. installing the correct software is causing me problems. trying to do the right thing here is proving to be difficult. what happens if i just activate this software that someone gave me? "Your scrotum is quite nice" - Skymama www.kjandmegan.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
normiss 867 #12 January 21, 2009 no, you'll simply defer the cost onto someone else. you in the government by chance? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skyjumpenfool 2 #13 January 21, 2009 Quote awesome, there is a product key on the bottom. i'll give it a try. why couldn't she have just told me that? If she just told you about the key on the bottom, how do you think she was going to get your $49?? DAAAH Birdshit & Fools Productions "Son, only two things fall from the sky." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
prodiver913 0 #14 January 21, 2009 the real easy fix is to get a Mac and never worry about viruses or any of that stuff ever again. BULLETPROOF!!!! I'm completely in favor of the separation of Church and State. My idea is that these two institutions screw us up enough on their own, so both of them together is certain death. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
councilman24 37 #15 January 21, 2009 Damn, I had a come back but can't post it here.Hmmm, maybe I can. He said bullet proof do I should be able to day send it to me and I'll test that theory. I'm old for my age. Terry Urban D-8631 FAA DPRE Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
regulator 0 #16 January 21, 2009 Let me know if you want a VLK I can generate you a legit license in a few seconds and this issue will go away. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
regulator 0 #17 January 21, 2009 No and a VLK is a volume license key associated with a corporation that has already purchased a large amount of licenses already. Sure its not the right thing to do but I like free alot more than I like ethics. Besides if you download music over the internet its basically the same thing. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
regulator 0 #18 January 21, 2009 Bulletproof huh? and when you go to purchase it you pay an extra thousand dollars and on top of that you get a computer that is wicked fast at rendering graphics but if you are looking for a vast array of apps that are supported by osx look again. PC's are great for people who know how to keep their computers safe and less vulnerable to malicious internet attacks. You just gotta know how to use your computer to its abilities. Or you could be a tool and go buy a mac because you think their bulletproof. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
regulator 0 #19 January 21, 2009 Are you running Fdisk? It sounds to me like you are using the windows utility to format your computer. Just download fdisk on another computer....burn it on a disk and enable the screwed up computer to boot to the cd. So why do you want a dual boot OS anyway? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
theonlyski 8 #20 January 21, 2009 Quote To help prevent that problem, I make a habit of writing the product key directly on the restore CD/DVD or the Windows install DVD/CD. That way you can't lose it. i just slipstream all the drivers i need, as well as the cd key and any updates from MS onto an install cd... if im really bored, ill automate it. put disk in, come back 2 or so hours later, looking at desktop ready to go i also could just create an image of a baseline and reload that... bout 4 times quicker usually. but then again, i also get bored and write programs to automate tasks that normally require me working instead of post whoring"I may be a dirty pirate hooker...but I'm not about to go stand on the corner." iluvtofly DPH -7, TDS 578, Muff 5153, SCR 14890 I'm an asshole, and I approve this message Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bwilling 0 #21 January 21, 2009 Quote i try to delete the partition, but it says it can't do it because it has setup files on it. Your box may have shipped configured with a recovery partition... don't know about Dell, but several other manufacturers I know do that. If that's the case, everything you need to restore the box back to factory defaults will already be on the hard drive, and it's just a matter of figuring out how that particular manufacturer completes that process. I've seen it done via CD, and I've seen it done via BIOS hooks. "If all you ever do is all you ever did, then all you'll ever get is all you ever got." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LaRusic 0 #22 January 21, 2009 Quote Quote i try to delete the partition, but it says it can't do it because it has setup files on it. Your box may have shipped configured with a recovery partition... don't know about Dell, but several other manufacturers I know do that. If that's the case, everything you need to restore the box back to factory defaults will already be on the hard drive, and it's just a matter of figuring out how that particular manufacturer completes that process. I've seen it done via CD, and I've seen it done via BIOS hooks. My sony VAIO laptop is like that, the way to use it (at least in my case) is after running a system restore, on the following boot up hit the f12 button and it takes you into the windows setup and allows you to format your hard drive and use the partition with all the setup files to install windows. also at then end of this there is no need to put the product key in....not sure why but last few times i have done a format with that laptop it was not required.....my nice homebuilt desktop is a much different story. Personally i dont like the partitioned hard drive with the manufactures version of windows because of all the junk programs they put on it, complete waste of spaceThe Altitude above you, the runway behind you, and the fuel not in the plane are totally worthless Dudeist Skydiver # 10 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
theonlyski 8 #23 January 21, 2009 Quote Personally i dont like the partitioned hard drive with the manufactures version of windows because of all the junk programs they put on it, complete waste of space i agree!! once i realized how much bullshit was on my 60 gb hdd on the dell i got while i was in iraq the first time (barely 40 gb free NEW)... i saved my stuff to my external and wiped the mofo... complete fdisk and all, then installed xp pro. thats what i have now! plus a core2 duo upgrade, 250 gb internal hdd and 2 gb ddr... it runs a little warmer now, but who cares"I may be a dirty pirate hooker...but I'm not about to go stand on the corner." iluvtofly DPH -7, TDS 578, Muff 5153, SCR 14890 I'm an asshole, and I approve this message Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LaRusic 0 #24 January 21, 2009 heats not really that big of a deal most laptops run pretty hot, could be cause ur in a desert too on my desktop i just replaced my MB with a 680I from xfx, dropped in an E8400 processor, 2gig ddr2 and a 8800gtx vid card.....not hot at all and overclocked with no change in cooling cause the E8400 runs so low temp....its nice .....my next task it to get 2 1T harddrives and set em up in raid 0......be nice and fast then :D The Altitude above you, the runway behind you, and the fuel not in the plane are totally worthless Dudeist Skydiver # 10 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TrophyHusband 0 #25 January 21, 2009 thanks for the key offer, but i think i've got it now. i don't want a duel os, it just wouldn't let me delete the partition. i went in to bios and made only boot from the cd and it then allowed me to delete and reformat the partition and it is now in the process of loading the proper windows os. "Your scrotum is quite nice" - Skymama www.kjandmegan.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites