Upgrading - what disc qualifies for upgrade version?

[cpemma]

Sure, it doesn't matter if the qualifying OS is OEM or retail. And for
all three you can do either an in place upgrade or a custom install.

But suppose, in a year or so, you update motherboard, processor, etc and
want to re-install Vista from your Upgrade copy. If the qualifier XP OEM
can't be re-activated on the new system to allow Vista to install, you
appear to have a couple of coasters?

In the UK Vista Upgrade is almost double Vista OEM price so we expect it to
last a good few years. We need a clear statement from MS on the
Upgradeability of XP OEM - the EULA basically says an OEM copy dies with
the old motherboard, so on that basis buying Vista Upgrade could be an
expensive mistake in the longer term.

 

[Rock]

But suppose, in a year or so, you update motherboard, processor, etc and
want to re-install Vista from your Upgrade copy. If the qualifier XP OEM
can't be re-activated on the new system to allow Vista to install, you
appear to have a couple of coasters?

Yep, that does appear to be a problem if the XP OS can't be installed and
activated. It's been the same problem with OEM copies in XP. Depending on
who you get at the activation call center. It would be great if there was
something clear and specific about what constitutes a new computer for
purposes of the OEM license.

That's one reason I stay away from OEM.

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

According to MS that is not true and system builders like CyberPower won't
do it because they would be in violation of their agreements to put a second
OEM OS on a computer. The second OS on a computer needs to be a retail full
edition. An OEM OS must be the first OS on a new computer. The second OEM
OS would not be the first OS on a new computer.

MS has not deprecated OEM editions to the status of bargains. They are for
installation on a new computer that does not yet have an operating system.

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

If you change the hardware enough, you would no longer qualify for
activation of an OEM copy that was tied to the older hardware profile and
you would need to purchase another copy of the OS. My advice is not to get
into any of this and use a legacy Windows that is not OEM or just buy a full
edition of Vista.

 

[Rock]

According to MS that is not true and system builders like CyberPower won't
do it because they would be in violation of their agreements to put a
second OEM OS on a computer. The second OS on a computer needs to be a
retail full edition. An OEM OS must be the first OS on a new computer.

Good point.

 

[Rock]

Hi "Rock":
This is kinda funny..........I can only use an OEM Vista on a new
machine. Now I would have to argue with microsoft that a new hard drive
makes it a new machine! I'd be playing right into their hands and the next
new hard drive would invalidate my license because "I" myself said it was
a
new machine the last time I changed hard drives LOL. I could buy a new
Core
2 Duo processor & compatible motherboard with the difference in price
between
a Vista Ultimate Retail & an OEM Home Premium! Well anyway, I really
appreciate the information you've all given me and I guess I'd be better
off
just waiting a while until the probable bugs are fixed in the first
service
pack since a dual boot to preserve my current O.S. doesn't seem feasible.

Colin has made a good point about two OEM copies on the same computer. You
need to look at the EULA for both to be sure what they says Of course you
can bypass all this by just getting the full version of Vista.