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Thread ID: 77825 2007-03-24 02:12:00 Vista not asking for product key Sherman (9181) Press F1
Post ID Timestamp Content User
535415 2007-03-24 02:12:00 I'm confused.
I burned a vista DVD iso to disc yesterday from the university. I haven't yet got a licence for it, but I thought I would install it without a licence, and either get rid of it after 30 days, or when I get a key.
The install wouldn't start from booting the DVD, so I had to start the installation from within XP. (not an upgrade). Everything went smoothly but Im confused about a couple of things.
First, the installer didn't ask me what version I wanted to install, it just automatically installed vista business.
Second, it didn't ask for a product key.
Why would this be??
Sherman (9181)
535416 2007-03-24 02:18:00 The ISO you burnt could be set up for a specific product key and version using the Windows Automated Install Kit.

Does it show your copy of Vista as being Activated?
CYaBro (73)
535417 2007-03-24 02:30:00 The ISO you burnt could be set up for a specific product key and version using the Windows Automated Install Kit.
That's probably right. I've seen that in a dodgy version of XP I played around with... worked perfectly and never required authentication.
Greg (193)
535418 2007-03-24 02:32:00 No it doesn't.
I believe that the ISO is just like a retail disc, in that it is for any version and will accept any retail license key for any of the consumer version.
Sherman (9181)
535419 2007-03-24 03:01:00 Yes but what you believe and what is actually true may be different.
Do you know where the ISO came from or who made it?

Something not right with the ISO if you couldn't boot off the DVD and it never asked what version or product key before installing.
CYaBro (73)
535420 2007-03-24 03:37:00 I'm confused.
I burned a vista DVD iso to disc yesterday from the university.
First, the installer didn't ask me what version I wanted to install, it just automatically installed vista business.
Second, it didn't ask for a product key.


It installed business because it is business? I doubt theres a generic CD that allows you to choose from all the different vrsions.

As fo keys, if its a Uni CD, its probably like the academic versions. Works different, so you probably shouldn't be installing it on your home PC.
pctek (84)
535421 2007-03-24 04:09:00 Yes but what you believe and what is actually true may be different.
Do you know where the ISO came from or who made it?

Something not right with the ISO if you couldn't boot off the DVD and it never asked what version or product key before installing.

The ISO came from the IT consultant who handles all of the MSDNAA stuff for the university.
Also, it did boot from the DVD, but after the windows is loading thing, nothing. Nada. A big blank screen...

pctek: what happens is that we fill out a form, get it signed by the paper
coordinator, and give it to the IT guy who checks details and gives out a unique license key. We have to burn the iso to DVD ourselves.
therefore, we still have to put in a key, just as though it were a retail installation.

Hmm, just did a google of the name of the Volume label of the DVD and it seems that it IS just business. My mistake.

I was confused because there were instructions at the uni on how to install vista, and it was saying we had to choose vista business as the version we were installing....
Sherman (9181)
535422 2007-03-24 04:13:00 It installed business because it is business? I doubt theres a generic CD that allows you to choose from all the different vrsions.

There is one - it's called the Vista installation DVD. They all contain Ultimate, but the codes only activite a certian version.
pcuser42 (130)
535423 2007-03-24 05:13:00 There is one - it's called the Vista installation DVD. They all contain Ultimate, but the codes only activite a certian version.


Exactly. I know someone who got a copy of Vista via MSDNAA, and he said that it prompted him for a key.

I'd suggest you contact the person listed at the top of the page here (Graham): blogs.msdn.com

He's the rep at the Massey campus, so have a chat to him.
somebody (208)
535424 2007-03-24 05:26:00 You might get prompted but you dont have to enter one, or can enter 0's
If you later go to enter it before activating during the 30-day period, and enter one for the wrong version you installed, you'll be required to re-format.

In your case, looks like you'd be better off formatting and buying Vista Home Premium or something similar to that.. Business wouldnt be the best for home-users ;)
Chilling_Silence (9)
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