Pre SP Product key usable with SP1 new install ???

[G.Mester]

Can a pre SP1 Vista product key be utilised for a new installation with a
new SP1 Media on the same hardware?

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

Yes, as long as it's a "genuine" product key.

 

[Mark L. Ferguson]

Yes but Activation has a bit to do with your uninstall abilities, depending
on how you do it.

<Release notes quote>
If you install Windows Vista and then install SP1 without first activating
Windows Vista, you might not be able to uninstall the service pack.

Either activate Windows Vista before you install SP1 or activate SP1 before
you attempt to uninstall the service pack.


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Mark L. Ferguson
..

 

[On the Bridge! \(An MVP upgrade\)]

of course... service packs are free updates

as long as you have a valid genuine product key, its yours forever
regaurdless of how many service packs come out

 

[G.Mester]

The scenario is as follows:

I have one genuine "Ultimate" pre SP1 product key and one genuine "Home
Premium" pre SP1 Product key.
Both machines have the RC2-SP1 installed and the key were of course
activated before the RC2-PS1 install.
I am told RC2SP1=SP1 final release but some sources state this not to be the
case.
Therefore what I'd like to do is to start afresh with both machines
utilising the new SP1-DVD and use the "old" product keys to activate.

 

[Gary Mount]

I was unable to use my anytime upgrade key to upgrade my Vista Home Premium
to Ultimate when I had SP1 Release Candidate installed.
Uninstalling SP1 resolved the problem. I don't know how the version of Vista
with integrated SP1 would work out.

 

[Craig M]

I had a simalar issue after applying SP1 last week. One of the options in the
activation screen is to activate by phone. Take this approach and follow the
prompts. It will likely fail when you speak the numbers provided into the
phone system. You will be transferred to a live body. They will be able to
provide you a code that works. Took me less than 10 minutes.

Good luck!