You can reinstall it as often as you like on the same machine with no
problems. It'll need activating again each time you install it but since
your hardware hasn't changed this'll be fine.
Not necessarily:
Usually, you only have to reactivate IF you change motherboards, or
delete then recreate your Vista System partition, or replace your HD.
If your hardware changes significantly (I think if more than three items are
changed in six months) you'll be required to activate Windows again.
I don't think the number of times hardware changes affects your
activation status.
The last time I checked, Window Activation operates on a point-system,
such as 1 point for new video card, 2 points for new network card,
etc. Once one changes enough hardware at once (and the point-count
accumulates beyond 10 points), a re-activation is necessary.
This is done online in exactly the same way as when you first installed it. If
your hardware changes A LOT, and you've had to reactivate a few times
already (due to hardware changes, not just from reinstalling which you can
do as often as you like), it'll eventually refuse to activate online.
You'll then need to ring them up and explain that you still only have it
installed on one machine, and they'll give you a new product key.
NOT a "new product key". Your product key ALWAYS remains the same for
any one copy of Windows.
There is a difference between Vista and previous versions. If you buy the
Upgrade version you won't be able to do a clean install.
This is just not so. It IS possible to do a clean installation using
an Upgrade license. This has been cussed and discussed so many times
in these groups that it's very surprising that you made a statement
like that. Even Microsoft admits that it's just F.U.D.
It has to be upgraded over your old version.
If that's the way you want to do it, that's all well and good for YOU.
But don't try to mislead anyone.
If you buy the full retail package (more expensive), this issue won't arise.
Why cause him to waste his money? A full retail package is TWICE the
price of an Upgrade package.
An Upgrade package is EXACTLY the same package as the Full Retail
package. Has the same exact bits as the Full Retail package.
The correct image is chosen by the PRODUCT KEY one enters during
installation, in this way:
OEM key will ONLY work to unlock the OEM package.
Upgrade key will ONLY work to unlock the Upgrade image.
Full Retail key will ONLY work to unlock the Full Retail image.
Actually, it DOESN'T "sometimes gets all messed up" -- YOU mess it up.
NOT necessary, unless you also want to install on a SECOND computer
while it is still installed on your current machine.
Of course it still works, friend.
I don't believe Microsoft would be allowed to sell one-time-use-only
copies of it's OSes. Customers would be in an uproar, and Microsoft
would be instantly burdened with a plethora of legal battles from both
customers AND governments. Or, they would simply stop using
Microsoft OSes completely, or become instant software pirates.
The products are over-priced enough as it is.
There is no need to uninstall then reinstall Vista each time you
upgrade hardware. Unless you want to, of course. Just install the
correct Vista driver for the hardware you install. You may or may not
have to re-activate after adding a new piece of hardware.
To download a .DOC file which will allow you to read about Windows
Vista Activation, go here:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...03-27F6-461D-A3DB-D440B4CED7F6&displaylang=en
It should clear up the confusion Mr. Jobe has caused in this thread.
Donald McDaniel
form all ^-^ I am surprised to get sow mutch and