[Halp] Need a Vista disk!

[Aziz]

Got a new Laptop, however it only comes with a "recovery" DVD. I want to install Vista from scratch, however the only images I can find on the torrent sites are cracks or auto-activated. I have a CD key, I just need, the disk! :O Does anyone have a Vista disk they can image and send me? I don't think this is illegal since I do own it, right? Otherwise, forget it

[md]

It's illegal in the states. Possibly. Depending on if EULAs are legally binding, and if the first-sale doctrine applies.

I have a business ISO; but that's it.

[Tony]

This could be a messy topic. Since it's the license and not the software itself that's being sold (that is, you buy a permission to use Vista, but you most likely are not allowed to modify it). Microsoft could try to claim distribution rights, even though one can't actually do anything with an ISO without the license.

A while ago I downloaded an ISO for XP from my University -- those are freely available to students. There's a separate mean of obtaining a license key from the University as well. Not sure if they have Vista up though.

[Euphoracle]

I'll admit that I downloaded a no-shit cut down version of XP off the internet, but after installing, promptly removed the "crack" and whatnot of it and activated it over the phone with Microsoft Sophie the talking telephone robot that is slow and annoying with my cd key. I lost my original. I don't really think Microsoft cares where you get it from; you pay for the key, not the CD anyway. If it will make you feel better, you can go to your local bestbuy or whoever and they have CDs given to them by Microsoft for use with other people's CD keys for recovering, etc.

[Gooie]

With my Dell laptop, I just told them to send me a de-crapified disk, and they did, for free. That was Windows XP thought.

[Aziz]

I'll talk to ASUS. I have Home Premium anyways. Thanks for the many many overnight responses guys =/. I forgot how busy this site is during the school year. Anyways, another similar question:

If I install XP on a separate partition, will it take care or the dual-booting itself? Or am I going to have to install grub?

[Euphoracle]

Windows does dual booting correctly with other windows installations iirc. There is a KB article on MS explaining it in detail.

[md]

Install XP first, then Vista will do the bualboot thing (or should). The other way arround is not supported iirc.