Changing Product Key - Vista Upgrade?

I purchased a new PC a few days ago. The guy at Circuit City told me I'll be
getting a free upgrade to Vista, sometime at the beginning of the year.

I've been using RC2 at work, and I just enjoy Vista so much more than
MCE2005 (which came on my new PC).

A co-worker has (I assume) the RTM copy (honestly, I have no idea from
where; I'm not very computer saavy, regardless), and he's been using it on
his home system. I think he said that his trial is almost up, so he will have
to purchase it in Janurary.

Anyhow, I'm wondering, if I installed it, and didn't enter any product key
(I understand you get 30 days to try it or whatever), would I just be able to
enter my product key from my upgrade CD when it arrives?

I don't use my computer that often at home, but I'd like to get Vista, at
least somewhat on the machine, while my son is home for the holidays, since
he is far more computer literate.

So, in a nutshell (and no, I'm not asking, or condoning any illegal
activity, so please don't accuse me of it; I'm sure my incompetence in
posting this question here already implies such); is - If I were to install
it, with no product key (don't have one, don't want one, other than the one
I'll get sometime in the new year), will I be able to use it for the 30 days
mentioned to me, and (hopefully if its here by then), just enter in my code
from my upgrade CD? The CD will be coming, I presume from HP, so I'd think
they'd give, or have to give me a key to use it, correct?

So, Can I do this? Then enter my product key I get from HP?

Thanks

robg wrote:
> I purchased a new PC a few days ago. The guy at Circuit City told me
> I'll be getting a free upgrade to Vista, sometime at the beginning of
> the year.

> So, in a nutshell (and no, I'm not asking, or condoning any illegal
> activity, so please don't accuse me of it; I'm sure my incompetence in
> posting this question here already implies such); is - If I were to
> install it, with no product key (don't have one, don't want one,
> other than the one I'll get sometime in the new year), will I be able
> to use it for the 30 days mentioned to me, and (hopefully if its here
> by then), just enter in my code from my upgrade CD? The CD will be
> coming, I presume from HP, so I'd think they'd give, or have to give
> me a key to use it, correct?
>
> So, Can I do this? Then enter my product key I get from HP?

No. Your new vista disk and licence will be for either an OEM or Upgrade
copy of Vista (not sure which from your post) and the current RTM builds
doing the rounds are either hax0red versions of goodness knows what or MSDN
/ Technet / ETC retail builds or business/enterprise builds. Won't work.