entered wrong (cheaper) version of windows and now can't activate.

[rjc]

I did a clean install of a windows upgrade. I told it I was using windows
vista home premium, what I thought I was getting. It turns out it was really
ultimate, so now when I try to activate it wont let me. Can I change it to
ultimate without losing everything I've installed so far?

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

Do you have a product key for Vista Home Premium
or Vista Ultimate? What exactly do you mean by
"I told it I was using windows vista home premium"?

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows Desktop Experience -
Windows Vista Enthusiast

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

:

I did a clean install of a windows upgrade. I told it I was using windows
vista home premium, what I thought I was getting. It turns out it was really
ultimate, so now when I try to activate it wont let me. Can I change it to
ultimate without losing everything I've installed so far?

 

[rjc]

I have a product key for ultimate - the package came in the mail (disks and
all). I did a trial install - without a product key. There's a screen that
asks you which product you want to intall - premium, ultimate, etc. I chose
premium. So I had 30 days to activate. When I typed in the product key to
activate I got a message that it was the wrong version.

 

[PaulM]

If you had a key for Ultimate, why would you try Premium??? Did you check
the key really well? Like an O could be a 0, check it real well.

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

You'll need to purchase a "full version" license
for Windows Vista Home Premium.

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows Desktop Experience -
Windows Vista Enthusiast

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

I did a clean install of a windows upgrade. I told it I was using windows
vista home premium, what I thought I was getting. It turns out it was really
ultimate, so now when I try to activate it wont let me. Can I change it to
ultimate without losing everything I've installed so far?

 

[Mick Murphy]

All Vista versions are on the one disk!
But, you have installed the wrong one.
Your PK is for Ultimate, not Home Premium.

If it was me, I'd save my Data, and reinstall the correct version, Ultimate.

 

[rjc]

Why would I do that when I've already purchased the ultimate upgrade and had
xp on the hard drive before the os got corrupted? Surely there's some way to
change it to ultimate without having to reinstall everything.

 

[Richard G. Harper]

No, there is not. That is why you are cautioned to select the exact version
of Vista you have purchased and that wiping and starting over or purchasing
the correct version may be necessary when you decline to enter the product
key during installation.

 

[Curious]

I suggest that you rerun your ultimate upgrade on the installed premium
version and enter the ultimate key and hopefully it will upgrade premium to
ultimate without destroying any of your data.

 

[rjc]

OK, Thanks everyone. Curious, that's what I was going to try but I was
hoping there was a fail-safe way. After a few hous setting things up I was
hoping I could avoid having to redo everything.

 

[Spook 13]

Good luck. It really bites my backside to think that the vendor/Ms etc.
could just habe placed a colour codes sticker or something on the disk to
indicate correct version.
Cheers
http://warworld13.myminicity.com

 

[JW]

They all ready do what you suggest.
Both my 32 bit and my 64 bit Vista Home Premium Upgrade disks are colored
green and clearly labeled as Vista Home Premium upgrade disks.