Thread: Windows Vista license problem

I buy a second-hand computer with a clean hard disks and a product key for Vista Home Premium stuck to the side of the case. To do a fresh install is it as easy as get a copy of the media and plugging in the product key or must I buy a copy of the OS ?
If the answer above is that I must purchase, will an OEM version be sufficient or must it be a retail edition.

If you don't have the unique recovery disk put but the hidden recovery partition is still whole on the drive you can make a new set from that or use another recognized oem by the similar create and version of Windows in order to use the product key on the sticker. When buying a new disk from Newegg or any further place not branded whether OEM or retail you would use that disk's own product key. That will allow you to go with whichever version you want to see running.

Buy new OR oem or anything you acquire your own product key with it; OEM OR no support
hard disks wiped clean; not likely to recover something unless deep possible use a copy of MS maybe could use product code on side or not likely as computer resellers purchase them mostly for the Operating system and resell the hardware.