OK, I searched through the newgroup for Darrell Gorter and found the
following msg dated 12/13:
"People have been out
I haven't got all the answers but I will update somewhat.
This thread is talking about multiple things but this is the core question
I believe
The compliance checking behavior.
As I under the question that CVP is asking is simply around the compliance
checking behavior of X64 upgrade product keys not around the porcess of
upgrading itself.
This is what found out:
If you boot to a retail Windows Vista x64 media and use an upgrade product
key, at some point shortly after entering the product key setup will search
the hard drive for an installed operating system that meets the compliance
check.
This is only for x64 media with an upgrade product key,,since you cannot
run setup from within 32-bit operating system to meet the compliance check.
I wish had more answers but they just aren't available yet.
Thanks,
Darrell Gorter[MSFT]"
The above is a full quote (and the spelling and typos are his, not mine).
Is that the message to which you were referring?
If so, I'll wait for an official Microsoft announcement that they were
really quite as stupid as they *may* have been. To be blunt, this guy can
barely type in complete sentences, makes it clear his info is tentative, is
repeating what HE understands others have said (hearsay), hasn't said
anything more since December 13 ... oh, I could go on.
In short, as a witness, I would slaughter him on cross-examination. :-}
Hypothetically, He may not know (or understand) that those who buy the
upgrade and then request the 64-bit DVD, if necessary, are then issued a new
key, which they can then install over the 32-bit version. Or, that you
simply can call the Microsoft activation hotline, or whatever they call it,
to get around this problem.
Absent better evidence, I just refuse to believe the following scenario:
One day before the "express upgrade" period began, Joe Idiot buys a 64-bit
Media Center PC which has MCE 2005 installed -- the MOST expensive version
of Windows. Now, to get 64-bit anything -- Home Premium or Ultimate -- he
must pay full retail price? THAT is SOOOOOOOO unfair, it's the stuff of
class-action lawyers dreams!
Please take no offense, Colin. Your conclusions from his message may turn
out to be correct, but I'd prefer to give Microsoft the benefit of the doubt
before I also conclude that they have collectively lost their f'ing minds!
I saw, andunderstood, your other msg describing this nightmare scenario,
too, Colin, so please accept this as a reply to both.
And, I guess I can't resist saying that if the worst case turns out to be
true, I will be "evaluating" the full, retail-equivalent version of Vista
Ultimate I downloaded from TechNet Plus Direct for a VERY long time and with
a VERY clear conscience.
. Save this on a second hard drive or