Quote Originally Posted by Buyasta View Post
When using an OEM cd key, you need to use an OEM image, and also you can't activate over the internet, you need to do it over the phone - it's pretty trivial, though - you just ring a number, enter your serial on the phone's keypad, and then it generates and reads you an activation key.
Yes done this many time in the past, some OEM keys work with a retail image some don't - netbooks seem to be on the "don't" list which is why I said take an image if you don't have a recovery CD.