What version of Windows is my key for?

I recently bought a used Dell Vostro 1310 w/ no installed OS from a reputable dealer and see that it has a key label on the bottom of the case, but the version of Windows appears to have been rubbed off by handling of the machine.

I've installed a larger hard drive (it came with a miserable 80gb!) and 4 GB of RAM - I'd like to use this key but it makes it hard to know what version of OS to install when I can't see what it had previously

Is there any way to tell based on the key label or the key itself?

I'm just curious why there was no OS installed to begin with.

But if you had to guess a version, I would bet on Home Premium.

It was from a local dealer that buys used machines from local businesses , refurbs them and then resells them. My guess why there is no OS is that the business wiped the HD clean - or the dealer did.

To be completely honest even with a brand-new machine I always wipe the machine clean the moment I get into the door and reload the same OS using the product key on the label that came with the machine.

Same idea was going to apply here - I was going to install same OS it originally had on it using the included key - and yes - it does have the full 25 characters.

Well with Vista, you can grab any Vista DVD as they have all the editions and just try the key to see what happens. As far as XP, if you have access to an XP Pro OEM disc, you should be fine.

I would go back to the source and ask what version was installed. If you have that sticker, you technically have the license, so the dealer you bought it from wasn't really following proper procedures. They may tell you, they may not, but it is worth a shot.

nokian73me said:

I am not sure about the legal point: the company wiped the OS means they are using the key on another machine; otherwise why they will erase.

Just because they wiped the OS, doesn't mean it is in use anywhere else. Even if it was in use elsewhere, it wouldn't be legit, because the COA on the case is what determines legality.

ken9122 said:

If you can read the Express Service Tag #. Go to dell support site and get the original config.

Yep, this will work!

However, if the reseller did their job properly, the COA sticker would be removed, and the service tag would be removed from the case and the BIOS as well. It doesn't sound like they did their job in full, so you might luck out. If you have the COA sticker, you are legit.