Can I use Geek Squad recovery discs to reinstall Windows? Can I reinstall MS Office?

[Redrazor39]

If I reinstall Windows Vista (first time ever reinstalling Windows), then will I be able to reinstall CD-Key licensed software such as Microsoft Office 2007, Microsoft Student 2007, PC Games (Supreme Commander, specifically), and more?

I don't know how this stuff works so any help will be greatly appreciated :)

Thanks. I feel so :confused: right now.

[aysiu]

As far as I know, recovery disks restore the computer to exactly the same state you bought it in. If you bought it with Vista and Office already installed, the recovery disks should bring you back to that place.

[LaRoza]

As far as I know, recovery disks restore the computer to exactly the same state you bought it in. If you bought it with Vista and Office already installed, the recovery disks should bring you back to that place.

Not if they installed it separately, as they often do when you buy a computer. The restore disks only restore to the original OEM state, not what Best Buy did after.

[Redrazor39]

that's great. I've been installing and uninstalling freeware/trialware/etc.ware and I think I really need to reinstall Windows, but I need a definite answer about the CD-Key thing. I know LaRoza told me that I can just call them up for a new key, but I'm not so sure about that and I don't want to end up with a $400 bill for all the software that doesn't work.

[dca]

If it's legally purchased software from MS than what's the problem? Reinstall Windows from the CD(s) provided they are actual Vista installer w/ drivers, etc from OEM and not some registry back-up CD the Geek Squad made. Once OS is installed, reinstall the apps. If they are legal and you receive crap from the 'Windows Genuine Advantage' update that I'm sure will come around the pike when installing SP1 give MS a call and clear it up with them... You may wait a few minutes but nothing like waiting on hold for a cell phone company.

[Redrazor39]

They are perfectly legal. I purchased it all at Best Buy (never again...) and all of it has the sticker. I just wanted to be sure that entering the old CD-code wouldn't give me an error like "already installed on X machines" or something stupid like that.

[fiddledd]

I'd suggest imaging your Hard Drive first, then if it don't work out you can restore the disk to how it was. I use Acronis True Image, but Clonezilla or Ghost For Linux, or I think, Partimage will do a similar job, and are free.
Btw, if you haven't disabled it or deleted old Restore Points, you could get back to almost how you was without reinstalling using System Restore. If it don't work you still have the option to reinstall

[Redrazor39]

I don't want to bother with too much stuff-- I don't want to end up with a corrupted hard drive!

Since school is over, I don't have any important data on that computer, really, that isn't on some other computer or something. Maybe one or two iTunes songs, but I can just e-mail them to myself for a diff. computer (I'm centralizing all my iTunes on our Mac)

All I really care about are the programs I paid for and some freeware I can always get back later.

[Midwest-Linux]

You may not need it, but BELARC advisor is a free utility that will give you the License keys information, type of hardware and help points to the type drivers your computer uses. If doing a reinstall, it may be a good thing to have all the information handy just in case. There is no spyware or malware and many professionals use it.

[Redrazor39]

I'll look into that.


But I found the CD-Keys for the software except for Microsoft Student, but I don't think that has a CD Key o_O

Now I just have to explain this whole fiasco to my parents and make sure they understand this is a heck of a lot better than going to Geek Squad for the 10th time (literally) for this computer. They're really sick of that place.

The only thing is they'll be really mad at me if I screw it up and if the CDs don't work or something.

My last (I think) question is this: If I screw up and my HDD gets corrupted or something or the CD doesn't work and I end up with a $2200 paperweight, then do any of you know if the Product Service Plan at Best Buy will cover that? Will I have voided the warranty by trying to reinstall (they'll never know I installed Linux on it if my HDD is totally wiped and screwed, but that might not happen. I just want to be sure in case it does happen.

[LaRoza]

My last (I think) question is this: If I screw up and my HDD gets corrupted or something or the CD doesn't work and I end up with a $2200 paperweight, then do any of you know if the Product Service Plan at Best Buy will cover that? Will I have voided the warranty by trying to reinstall (they'll never know I installed Linux on it if my HDD is totally wiped and screwed, but that might not happen. I just want to be sure in case it does happen.

First, there is nothing you can do that can't be undone (besides physically breaking something).

If the CD's don't work, you can get new ones from the manufacturer.

It doesn't matter that you installed Linux.

[Redrazor39]

Thank you so much LaRoza and everyone else for clearing all of this up for me. I will reinstall Windows and clear my computer soon.

:)

I love the Ubuntu community :)

[LaRoza]

I will reinstall Windows and clear my computer soon.

I love the Ubuntu community :)

To you see something funny there?

[Redrazor39]

no that was a smile for happiness, not laughter

[LaRoza]

no that was a smile for happiness, not laughter

No, the words ;)

[Redrazor39]

lol how could I not get that