Vista Hom Premium over RC1

G

GuessWho

I have a dual boot XP Pro/RC1 machine that I have setup with XP Pro as the
default OS. XP Pro is on the primary 160 GB HDD.

I installed RC1 in a 50 GB partition of a 200 GB secondary HDD. I do have
some software and Data installed in the Vista partition that I would like to
retain , i.e. the software installed.

I want to upgrade with an OEM version Vista Home Premium. What is the best
way to go about this? Can I just install over RC1 or should I remove RC1 and
do a 'clean' install in which case I will have to reinstall the software? I
remember seeing somewhere during activation of RC1 an opportunity to use a
new 'key'.

Wayne
 
J

jacobsbd

I would recomend that you do a clean install of the OEM version if you
can do so without violating the license agreement.

I would strongly recomend against just updating the key. If it worked
that would give you a beta copy that did not expire. Two years from
now when something works for everyone but you, you may not be happy.
You want to make sure you have all of the correct files.

I have been told that you should be able to upgrade any of the RC
builds to the full version, but that was before the build actually
came out. I do not know if they intended to allow this to be done with
an OEM copy,

To try the upgrade, backup, boot VIsta RC1 and insert the OEM DVD.

Good Luck

PS: if you really want to change the product key, go to Control Panel
 
P

pete

The last time I checked an OEM version can only be "installed" on a clean
HD.
"upgrading" means moving to higher version of OS...the RC1 was Ultimate and
you are aiming to "downgrade " to Home Premium....again not possible
MS also suggests that you delete Beta Versions of Vista before installing a
Bought version.
peter
 
R

Rick Rogers

Hi Wayne,

Most OEM versions will not do an upgrade, so you will likely need to backup
your data, format the drive and install it cleanly.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
 
G

GuessWho

Thanx, guys.

After your comments and more consideration, I've decided to reformat the
secondary HDD with a single 200 GB partition. The 50 GB partition was
originally to play around with Linux anyway and I gave up on Linux quite
awhile ago - before Vista even became available as a public Beta.

Wayne
 
R

Rock

GuessWho said:
I have a dual boot XP Pro/RC1 machine that I have setup with XP Pro as the
default OS. XP Pro is on the primary 160 GB HDD.

I installed RC1 in a 50 GB partition of a 200 GB secondary HDD. I do have
some software and Data installed in the Vista partition that I would like
to retain , i.e. the software installed.

I want to upgrade with an OEM version Vista Home Premium. What is the best
way to go about this? Can I just install over RC1 or should I remove RC1
and do a 'clean' install in which case I will have to reinstall the
software? I remember seeing somewhere during activation of RC1 an
opportunity to use a new 'key'.

The only way to upgrade from RC1 to a released version of Vista is to use a
full retail Ultimate edition. This is because RC1 is Ultimate, and it is
not a qualifying OS to use an upgrade version. OEM versions cannot do an
upgrade. If you want to use an OEM version of Vista in any edition then it
has to be done as a clean install. Apps will need to be reinstalled from
the original media.
 

Ask a Question

Want to reply to this thread or ask your own question?

You'll need to choose a username for the site, which only take a couple of moments. After that, you can post your question and our members will help you out.

Ask a Question

Top