Hi all,
Sorry if this is an obvious question, but I either don't understand something that is obvious to everyone else about Windows or else I just can't find the answer I'm looking for...
Background: I'm a 20+ year Mac user, switched four years ago to Linux. I have NO experience with Windows to speak of. Whenever I've gotten a new box, it's either been home-built or a Mac.
Now I have a new Acer Aspire AS7551 laptop, and although I have not yet booted into Windows, it comes with a Windows 7 Home Premium license. I've been running it with Ubuntu 10.04 off a flash drive and everything works perfectly.
What I want to do: I want to wipe the disk, install Lucid, and run Windows in Virtualbox (for the sole purpose of watching some Netflix and learning a little bit about Windows 7).
For the purpose of this question, please accept that I DO NOT want to dual boot.
The problem: From what I can find, I can't use the "recovery discs" that came with my laptop to create a virtual machine. This is confusing, because it seems like I paid for a legitimate Windows license for use with this laptop.
Questions:
1. Would MS exchange my recovery discs for a regular install disc to go with my license code if I explained this to them? Have any of you tried this (the "reasonable approach")?
2. If not, is there a source for Windows ISOs that I can safely use with my license? (I am aware that the legitimacy of that approach is questionable, but I am quite comfortable with the ethics since I paid for Windows 7, own the license, and only want to use it on the same computer. If you disapprove, I agree to disagree with you and maybe you can help with the next question).
3. If not, is there any way in heck I can use my recovery disc to create something Virtualbox can work with?
4. If not, how are all of you people getting your Windows virtual machines going??
Thanks.
(I have read that Acer is a major hassle to get a refund from for the "Windows tax" so I might as well be able to use it--this is MS' chance to win over a fan if only they will let me!)
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