I need to reformat hard drive.problem;i have genuine windows vista cd but not the serial number I threw out everything but the cd's.

That wasn't smart. Did your system come with Vista? If so the license key should be on the machine itself.

You can try using the analyzer at belarc.com, it will show license keys for some products.

And please take the caps lock off.

Thanks will try belarc.com and no vista didn't come w/my pc because i have custom built home pc.i thought by law you can have 2 pc's w/genuine license if i am correct can i use my dads serial number since my pc is #2? My pc starts up it says "fast trak controller not installed,bios doesn't exist or sometimes it will say no operating system.

Thanks will try belarc.com and no vista didn't come w/my pc because i have custom built home pc.i thought by law you can have 2 pc's w/genuine license if i am correct can i use my dads serial number since my pc is #2? My pc starts up it says "fast trak controller not installed,bios doesn't exist or sometimes it will say no operating system.

Marisak, Please turn OFF your Caps as it is considered SHOUTING and it's actually difficult to read an entire post in this manner.

Also there is NO need to start new threads for this same issue.

Anyway to answer your question concerning licensing, it is NOT allowed to use the same licence code on more than one machine.
There are special codes available to business that do allow this, but they are NOT the ones stuck to home machines.

If, as you have posted, you have a genuine Vista CD, then the case for it should have the required code.

To reiterate, TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK!

The only time you can use one key for more than one machine is in the case of Office. If it is Home and Student, it covers up to three machines. The regular version covers one workstation and one portable (like a notebook).

There's an article at About.com that might help you out a bit:
Windows Product Key - How to Find Microsoft Windows Product Keys - Microsoft Product Key (http://pcsupport.about.com/od/productkeysactivation/tp/windows-product-keys.htm)

The only time you can use one key for more than one machine is in the case of Office. If it is Home and Student, it covers up to three machines. The regular version covers one workstation and one portable (like a notebook).

That's actually not totally accurate. Most software packages, not just from Microsoft, have a license that allows you to install their software on up to 2 machines as long as both are not in use at the same time. The purpose was first to allow people to install on both a home and work PC. As laptops became more common, it was extended to include a desktop and a laptop (or other portable).

Windows is actually an exception in that it is licensed solely for a single machine.

That's actually not totally accurate. Most software packages, not just from Microsoft, have a license that allows you to install their software on up to 2 machines as long as both are not in use at the same time. The purpose was first to allow people to install on both a home and work PC. As laptops became more common, it was extended to include a desktop and a laptop (or other portable).

Windows is actually an exception in that it is licensed solely for a single machine.

Haha, I've got to be more careful with my words. This isn't the first time I have worded something incorrectly on here. I meant to say that the only one I was aware of, not the only software.