Vista - Clean install w OEM disc - Think I messed up BIG TIME

[jsmith71292]

PLEASE HELP!!!

A friend of mine upgraded my machine (that came with Vista pre installed) with a crappy version of Windows 7. My machine has been pretty much useless for a year bc the admin/system password was changed somehow. I called Dell and they gave me a new password and it got me in so I could get all of my pictures, music etc off of the hard drive. I thought that was all I had to "back up". Boy was I wrong it seems.

I thought I could use the OEM disc and do a reinstall and start over with a clean slate. So I did and it worked fine, until I realized that I didn't back up things like MICROSOFT OFFICE!!! I called Dell and they said I would have to repurchase it. I already purchased it once though, why again? I checked the product key and noticed that is has changed since the clean install.

Now I have no idea how I can get it back on my Dell laptop. I only have the OEM discs (one for the OS and one for the drivers and utilities) since my version of Windows came pre-installed. Now it's back to asking for not only the admin/system password but now a WINDOWS password as well! I asked Dell about this as well and they said there was a way to disable this but it would cost me $130+ to get it! I think I am seriously getting the run around and I'm beyond sick about it.


So my questions are:
1. Am I screwed and will never have my Microsoft office again?
2. Why did my product key change?
3. Is there anyway to fix this?

Please help if possible!!! Thanks so much in advance!!!!!

 

[AddRAM]

A crappy version of Windows 7 ? There`s no such thing

An admin/system password ? Do you mean a bios password ?

And windows only has a password if you give it a password.

If you don`t have Office but have your key, you`ll have to download it from somewhere. Google it.

You could also consider joining http://www.vistax64.com/

 

[jsmith71292]

Ok... crappy may have been a bad choice of words. hehe! It never worked correctly so to me, it was indeed crappy.

Yes, it is the BIOS password. I called Dell and got a new one. I clean installed so I'm not sure why it's back. :huh:

I never gave Windows a password, except for my profile. If that makes sense. I tried it and it didn't work anyway. Blahhhh!!!

I will join the suggested group.. thank you so much!!!!!!!

 

[AddRAM]

You should be able to go into the bios and remove the password, (maybe) under the security tab. If it bothers you After you installed Vista you should have come to a window with an option to put in a password, you`re saying you didn`t enter a password here ?

 

[SIW2]

Did you try typing Dell ?

 

[jsmith71292]

You should be able to go into the bios and remove the password, (maybe) under the security tab. If it bothers you After you installed Vista you should have come to a window with an option to put in a password, you`re saying you didn`t enter a password here ?

Yes, now that I see this I'm almost positive I did because I remember having to add the "hint". I tried that password and it did not work.

 

[gregrocker]

Everything needed is here to Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7.

You would have saved yourself a lot of time and headache had you asked before you jumped.

The Office key doesn't change. You insert it to activate during reinstall of Office. Do you have the disk? If not you can find them online: Office 2007 Direct Download Links or use the comparable free OpenOffice - The Free and Open Productivity Suite

 

[jsmith71292]

Yes.. I know. I'm still kicking myself in the tail for not researching more than I did. I thought I had all the stuff I needed backed up. Boy was I wrong!!!

 

[jsmith71292]

Everything needed is here to Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7.

You would have saved yourself a lot of time and headache had you asked before you jumped.

The Office key doesn't change. You insert it to activate during reinstall of Office. Do you have the disk? If not you can find them online: Office 2007 Direct Download Links or use the comparable free OpenOffice - The Free and Open Productivity Suite

So what are the odds that I will be able to have a usable computer??? I'm mainly in need of a computer to update my resume and apply for jobs. So some form of office utilities and internet.

 

[gregrocker]

What do you want to do? Reinstall Vista, Win7 and/or Office?

You would not have a BIOS password unless you set one or the PC is not yours. You'll have to convince Dell you're the owner to get it unlocked again, otherwise nothing can be reinstalled.