When you say "format my laptop," are you asking if you can mod your BIOS: sure,A few questions
a> my laptop didnt have any kind of sticker or anything with a product key on it - i assume that nowadays windows is coded to be liscenced via the hardware (am i right)? What happens if i reinstall windows in the future on my laptop using that CD? Will i have to pay again? What happens if i format my laptop or anything like that?
but . . . .
Monk
Workaround is a courtesy to those beta testers and others needing to clean install so they don't have to go to the trouble of first reinstalling their old XP or Vista - millions of beta testers had already chucked both.
It still requires you to have XP or Vista Product Key on hand to qualify under the EULA.
I am curious why OP has no COA sticker on laptop which came pre-installed with VISTA. This violates OEM with MS for a manufacturer to fail to do this, I believe, so I would contact your computer manufacturer to have it made good.
In the meantime, audit your Product key from HD using Belarc Advisor, Magical Jellybean, etc, and keep it safe as it has $100+ value.
Are you sure you had a good look at your laptop- front, back, beneath the battery? If this is a brand new laptop and theres no COA sticker on it (as you're saying), it does not have preinstalled OEM OS. Where did you buy this laptop from?
The disk that came with the laptop, what kind is it? Does it carry a brand name on it/ Is it in a package with a key at the back of the package?
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