Using Dell Vista 64bit install disk with retail key.

[Circlenaut]

When I go through the install with the Dell Vista 64 bit install it never pops up a screen to enter a CD-key. I have a retail 32 bit version of Windows Business and I don't want to pay the 10 dollars and wait to get the disk. I want to input the 32-bit cd-key. Is there a way to make that menu pop up? So far I've made an image of the dell disk and deleted the dir "$OEM$" but that gave me an error stating "install.wmidsomthing is invalid or corrupt". What do I have to modify in the dir to change the dell disk into a retail disk. I know that when the cd-key menu pops up and I choose not to enter a key it asks me which version I want to install and can then input the retail key after words.

 

[cmdrdredd]

Originally posted by: Pippy
When I go through the install with the Dell Vista 64 bit install it never pops up a screen to enter a CD-key. I have a retail 32 bit version of Windows Business and I don't want to pay the 10 dollars and wait to get the disk. I want to input the 32-bit cd-key. Is there a way to make that menu pop up? So far I've made an image of the dell disk and deleted the dir "$OEM$" but that gave me an error stating "install.wmidsomthing is invalid or corrupt". What do I have to modify in the dir to change the dell disk into a retail disk. I know that when the cd-key menu pops up and I choose not to enter a key it asks me which version I want to install and can then input the retail key after words.

you answered your own question. Install it with no key then put it in later (activate it).

 

[Circlenaut]

I tried that but the dell version installs as Ultimate and I don't have the key for that. When I try to input my retail key it says to reinstall with the correct version (I want to do this) or get an ultimate cd-key (don't have this). That cd-key menu never comes up in install so I don't have a chance to opt not to enter the key and select the version I want to install (business).

 

[cmdrdredd]

Originally posted by: Pippy
I tried that but the dell version installs as Ultimate and I don't have the key for that. When I try to input my retail key it says to reinstall with the correct version (I want to do this) or get an ultimate cd-key (don't have this). That cd-key menu never comes up in install so I don't have a chance to opt not to enter the key and select the version I want to install (business).

you said above that it asks you for they key and you can opt not to enter it.

anyway there are ways to get around this but you'll have to search on your own. Using OEM ProductID with a Retail key doesn't mesh...