Question on Vista Upgrading--Business to Ultimate

[Chad Harris]

If I have a box that currently has Vista Business , and I have a Vista
Ultimate DVD, can I simply do an inplace Upgrade aka a repair install with
the Vista DVD to convert Business to ultimate without going through the
"anytime upgrade" platform? I'm looking to avoid formatig with the Ultimate
DVD to get to Ultimate.

The repair install method I refer to is outlined in these two links.
Several people have reported on this newsgroup that a repair install does
work in Vista.

How to perform an in-place upgrade (reinstallation) of Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315341

Perform a Repair Installation by Doug Knox MVP
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/helpandsupport/learnmore/tips/doug92.mspx

Thanks,

CH

 

[MICHAEL]

Yes. You say you have a "Vista Ultimate DVD",
it's all about the *key* you have, because all versions
of Vista are on the install DVD. It's the key that determines
what gets installed. Do you have an Ultimate key? If yes,
then just stick in the Vista DVD and do an in-place-upgrade.

The only version not on the install DVD is Enterprise.


-Michael

* Chad Harris:

 

[MICHAEL]

Actually, you can do an in-place-upgrade to
Ultimate without entering any key. Just pick
which version you want to install and skip entering
the key, the install will use a default/generic key.
You can go back later and change the product key
to one that you purchased. Remember, you can get
up to 120 days before you need to activate using
"slmgr -rearm" in an elevated command prompt.


-Michael

* MICHAEL:

 

[Guest]

Hey Chad, have you tried out Windows Server 2008 Beta 3 Public Beta yet?
It's so much better than Windows Vista RTM, and it contains at least some of
the enhancements that Windows Vista Service Pack 1 will contain, Just FYI.
See Attachment in my Reply (assuming that it works this time).

 

[Guest]

Forgot to mention the following:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2008, Just FYI.

 

[Chad Harris]

I haven't dug into it yet Kevin, but from posts and blogs I understand that
it is getting a hot reception that is favorable.

CH

 

[Chad Harris]

Hi MICHAEL--

Good points. Could I also put in the Business DVD and use anytime upgrade
with the Ultimate Product Key and without using the Ultimate DVD?

To be clear my question meant the case where you have two separate DVDs that
are legit with two separate product keys--upgrading via Repair install as
opposed to Anytime Upgrade which I have not used. Or perhaps you could use
the Anytime upgrade somehow with the 2nd Ultimate DVD.

"Do you have an Ultimate key? If yes,then just stick in the Vista DVD and
do an in-place-upgrade. The only version not on the install DVD is
Enterprise."

I understand now it's all about the product key.

CH




You answered my question then when you said

 

[MICHAEL]

Chad,

The Vista DVD contains *all* versions, except Enterprise.
There are not separate DVD's for each version. If you
purchase the Business version, you aren't getting a different
DVD than if you buy the Ultimate version- it's the *key* you
are really paying for, and it's the *key* that decides which version
is installed, not the DVD. Now, if you install without a key, you can
pick which version to install. But you can not activate that version
until you buy a key. You can then change the product to the one
you bought. But, if you install without a key, make sure the key
you buy matches the version you installed.

If you have installed the Business version, that DVD also contains
the Ultimate version. It doesn't matter if you bought an "upgrade"
version instead of the full retail version. There's no difference between
those DVD's either- it's the key that determines the install type and the
version to be installed.

Simply put- if you have a Vista install DVD that you used to install
the Business version, and you have an Ultimate product key, you can
use that same DVD. It's the key *not* the DVD that matters.


-Michael

* Chad Harris:

 

[huwyngr]

Yes -- that is how I changed my VISTA Business RTM to Ultimate which I
now have. It did it, took much longer than a clean install however, and
was not bothered by starting from a dual boot with XP -- both still
work.

 

[Chad Harris]

I guess then Michael that it wouldn't matter whether you used the Anytime
Upgrade

http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/3af7e05f-4d2a-4af7-a168-9242f9093bb81033.mspx

and

http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/37070041-1b90-4433-be0c-ab2855841b981033.mspx

or an inplace upgrade (repair install).

Thanks much for the info.

CH

 

[MICHAEL]

I don't think it does matter, Chad.
Sorry that I didn't really address the Anytime Upgrade.

From the second link you posted;
<quote>
You install the upgraded edition of Windows Vista from the Windows Vista disc.

All editions of Windows Vista are included on the Windows Vista disc. The software that you
download after you purchase the upgrade includes a product key. This product key determines
which edition of Windows Vista that you can install from the disc.
</quote>

I'm not sure how the software you download for the Anytime Upgrade
works. Probably some small program that will ask you to put in the
Vista install disc and then puts in your key for you and starts the upgrade
install. I'm just not sure. Would be a lot easier if they just gave you the
key and told you to run the Vista install disc from the desktop, entering
the key when asked.

Take care,

Michael

* Chad Harris:

 

[Chad Harris]

MICHAEL--

Would be a lot easier if they just gave you the key and told you to run the
Vista install disc from the desktop, entering
the key when asked.

I sure agree. I think I can get it done with the PK restarting and going
through setup and clicking upgrade if I get that link the way I've seen it
illustrated in Help.

If you have a key I think you can do just that by putting in the disk and
going to upgrade but I haven't done that yet.

I went through the AnyTime Upgrade wizard on the Vista Control Panel and
what they do is to have you pick where you're buying on a pulldown>then wait
about two minutes to download. That works for people buying their upgrade
on line. They also give you the option to order an Anytime Upgrade disk,
but the Vista disks that I have say on them that they have Anytime Upgrade
included.

Thanks,

CH