Multiple Vista OS installs?

[Gary]

We have five computers in the family--one new one running Vista Home
Premium, which we just bought new, and four older ones running XP. We like
the Vista OS so I'm looking to upgrade/rebuild the other four machines to
Vista. Assuming that the four machines' hardware is beefy enough for Vista
(or that I can get them up to that state) can someone suggest the least
expensive way to legally get the four Vista O/S's and licenses that I would
need. TIA!

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

You'll need to purchase four (4) retail upgrade versions of Vista.
Example: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116143

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows Shell/User

---------------------------------------------------------------

:

We have five computers in the family--one new one running Vista Home
Premium, which we just bought new, and four older ones running XP. We like
the Vista OS so I'm looking to upgrade/rebuild the other four machines to
Vista. Assuming that the four machines' hardware is beefy enough for Vista
(or that I can get them up to that state) can someone suggest the least
expensive way to legally get the four Vista O/S's and licenses that I would
need. TIA!

 

[Andre Da Costa[ActiveWin]]

Which edition of Vista do you plan on or would like to upgrade these
machines to?

 

[Rick Rogers]

Hi,

Getting additional licenses:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/buyorupgrade/addlicense/howto.mspx

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com

 

[dennis@home]

We have five computers in the family--one new one running Vista Home
Premium, which we just bought new, and four older ones running XP. We
like the Vista OS so I'm looking to upgrade/rebuild the other four
machines to Vista. Assuming that the four machines' hardware is beefy
enough for Vista (or that I can get them up to that state) can someone
suggest the least expensive way to legally get the four Vista O/S's and
licenses that I would need. TIA!

Look at academic licenses for vista home premium, if you qualify.

 

[Gary]

Thanks for the replies! What about Vista Home Premium OEM? I found that
available on both e-bay and at a few retail sites. I know that the OS would
be tied to a single computer but I don't think that would be a problem. Are
there any other downsides that I should be aware of? Would it be a
violation of the EULA since I build these machines myself? Is a "system
builder" required to sell the systems that they build? TIA, again

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

We have five computers in the family--one new one running Vista Home
Premium, which we just bought new, and four older ones running XP. We like
the Vista OS so I'm looking to upgrade/rebuild the other four machines to
Vista. Assuming that the four machines' hardware is beefy enough for Vista
(or that I can get them up to that state) can someone suggest the least
expensive way to legally get the four Vista O/S's and licenses that I would
need. TIA!

Almost certainly, there's no better way than finding a good price from
a web-based store, and buying four upgrade copies.

 

[Gary]

Thanks for the replies! What about Vista Home Premium OEM? I found that
available on both e-bay and at a few retail sites. I know that the OS would
be tied to a single computer but I don't think that would be a problem. Are
there any other downsides that I should be aware of? Would it be a
violation of the EULA since I build these machines myself? What does it take
to be a "system builder" and is a "system builder" required to sell the
systems that they build? TIA, again!

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Thanks for the replies!

You're welcome. Glad to help.

What about Vista Home Premium OEM? I found that
available on both e-bay and at a few retail sites.

If you do buy one of these, I wouldn't do it on eBay. The risk of
getting burnt is too high.

I know that the OS would
be tied to a single computer but I don't think that would be a problem.

That's the single biggest disadvantage, as far as I'm concerned. A
major problem is that if the computer dies, the license to use Windows
dies with it. That's why my preference is normally to buy a retail
Upgrade copy instead. It usually costs only slightly more than the OEM
version.

Are
there any other downsides that I should be aware of? Would it be a
violation of the EULA since I build these machines myself? What does it take
to be a "system builder" and is a "system builder" required to sell the
systems that they build? TIA, again!