Windows Vista Reinstallation without discs

Hello and thankyou for your time.

I got quite an expensive laptop about 2 years ago, and got a virus - losing OS.

The laptop came with windows vista business (sp2, 64-bit, I think?!).

I had made recovery discs but they do not work - and I have heard that they never really work...
I tried using the XP downgrade discs, and they also did not work (but I assume this is because you need to have vista running in order to downgrade.
Anyhow, I paid a guy to fix it - he gave me XP, but alot of the features (which don't really matter to most people) did not work with XP OS - these were mainly function key things.
So I tried using the recovery disks, I tried wiping the HDD, and nothing worked.

What I did notice was that the 10GB partition only contained 63 or so kB (maybe it was MB), but it seemed a bit empty to contain my vista back up...

As you may know by now, I am not very competent with computers and the like. So trying to fix this myself inevitably led to my fist inside the laptop - destroying the DVD/CD drive.
I have just got an external drive but the disks for recovery still don't work.

Anyway, if you have not given up just yet from this longwinded story of mine, here's my question(s):

Can I download Vista OS using my product key sticker?

I do plan to buy the windows 7 upgrade, but cannot afford the whole new W7 package at the moment.

I do not have any installation disks.

Can I order intallation disks with my product key sticker?

If I can get a Vista replacement, and this may be a silly question, can I download it on 'this' netbook-to external HD-then load on to 'nice' laptop that I paid lots of hard earned cash for?

Again, I sincerely thank you for your time, and reading the long winded explanations.
Mick

 

Most OEM's will provide a set of recovery disks for a nominal fee, usually around $20. I am not sure if the product key on the sticker will activate the computer. I remember reading where phone activation is required with a product key on the sticker. You will need an OEM install CD if you are using an OEM product key.

What is the make of your laptop?

As an alternate you may want to try downloading the files here. Then provide your OEM key and do the phone activation.

Note: you will have to download the 3 files per the instructions.
http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/software-os/w/microsoft_os/3317.aspx

Because you have Vista Business it may not work for you. See if the following method for accessing Business during install.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6cImD1fe1o