Install OEM Vista as an upgrade

[Michael A. Covington]

This sounds like a strange thing to do, but the plan is:

(1) Buy new motherboard with OEM Vista DVD;
(2) Replace motherboard in existing computer (Windows XP);
(3) Once XP is working, perform an upgrade to Vista.

This is to keep all the installed software, etc., the same.

Will an OEM edition of Vista do this? Or is it only usable for a fresh
install?

 

[Cari \(MS-MVP\)]

OEM editions are for clean install only.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

This sounds like a strange thing to do, but the plan is:

(1) Buy new motherboard with OEM Vista DVD;
(2) Replace motherboard in existing computer (Windows XP);
(3) Once XP is working, perform an upgrade to Vista.

This is to keep all the installed software, etc., the same.

Will an OEM edition of Vista do this? Or is it only usable for a fresh
install?

No. OEM DVDs are specifically designed to perform only clean
installations; they cannot be used to perform in-place upgrades.


--

Bruce Chambers

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They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. -Bertrand Russell

 

[Michael A. Covington]

Will an OEM edition of Vista do this? Or is it only usable for a fresh

No. OEM DVDs are specifically designed to perform only clean
installations; they cannot be used to perform in-place upgrades.

That's what I thought, but here's contradictory information:
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1895,2087792,00.asp
"The OEM version of the Vista versions lacks a manual, but includes a "Quick
Start" installation guide, Brown said. The Vista OEM versions will allow a
user either to do a fresh installation, or to upgrade their previous Windows
XP installation, she said. "



I am wondering whether to believe it.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

That's what I thought, but here's contradictory information:
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1895,2087792,00.asp
"The OEM version of the Vista versions lacks a manual, but includes a "Quick
Start" installation guide, Brown said. The Vista OEM versions will allow a
user either to do a fresh installation, or to upgrade their previous Windows
XP installation, she said. "



I am wondering whether to believe it.

Well, if true, that would certainly be a radical departure from past
practice. I'd have to test it myself before I conclude that someone on
a marketing or PR team hadn't mis-spoken concerning a technical issue.
Unfortunately, I'm not curious enough to go buy an OEM license with
which to experiment. Perhaps someone who has had first-hand experience
could shed some light on the issue.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. -Bertrand Russell

 

[Michael A. Covington]

Well, if true, that would certainly be a radical departure from past
practice. I'd have to test it myself before I conclude that someone on a
marketing or PR team hadn't mis-spoken concerning a technical issue.
Unfortunately, I'm not curious enough to go buy an OEM license with which
to experiment. Perhaps someone who has had first-hand experience could
shed some light on the issue.

Precisely why I posted the question. Does anybody here know from actual
experience?

 

[JRB Associates]

Bruce,

Yes, Vista is different from past versions. From what I have seen, there are
several disk images; Enterprise, everything else; and 32 bit versus 64 bit.
Leaving out Enterprise, and 64 bit, there are several things in play; just
to mention a few. Discussing 32 bit, to perform an upgrade, there must be a
functional 32 bit version of Windows on the computer. An upgrade can only be
initiated from a running system. When booting from the DVD directly, then
only a new installation is possible. If a Product Key is entered during
setup, then that determines the version. If no product key is entered, then
the user can select a version. If the user enters no key, then within 30
days they have to obtain the correct key for the version they entered, or
Vista will become seriously crippled. Unlike past versions, which were tied
to the physical disk, Vista requires fewer disk versions (from Microsoft's
perspective) but adds in other things such as the Product Key.

John Baker

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Bruce,

Yes, Vista is different from past versions. From what I have seen, there are
several disk images; Enterprise, everything else; and 32 bit versus 64 bit.
Leaving out Enterprise, and 64 bit, there are several things in play; just
to mention a few. Discussing 32 bit, to perform an upgrade, there must be a
functional 32 bit version of Windows on the computer. An upgrade can only be
initiated from a running system. When booting from the DVD directly, then
only a new installation is possible. If a Product Key is entered during
setup, then that determines the version. If no product key is entered, then
the user can select a version. If the user enters no key, then within 30
days they have to obtain the correct key for the version they entered, or
Vista will become seriously crippled. Unlike past versions, which were tied
to the physical disk, Vista requires fewer disk versions (from Microsoft's
perspective) but adds in other things such as the Product Key.

John Baker

Thanks, but all of the above, I already know. The question at hand is
whether or not one can use an *OEM* installation DVD to perform an
*in-place* upgrade from an older, qualifying operating system.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. -Bertrand Russell

 

[JRB Associates]

Since the allusive answer was evidently lost in translation; the direct,
succinct answer is; yes.

John Baker