RC1 to Retail.. questions about payment and versions

[Guest]

Ok, when I installed RC1 I decided to format my C drive and not upgrade
because I wanted to start fresh. When I installed, I chose to go with the
"Ultimate" edition of Vista 32-bit. I do have a 64-bit system but I did not
like the signed driver requirements among other things. Also, here's another
big one, when I first installed I did not have a Vista cd-key. I had to call
the 800 number and have them read me an authorization code to activate. To
this day, I do not actually have a key.. I just authorized using the phone
system.

So here are my questions.

1. Will Microsoft be able to give me an actual CD-Key that I can hold on to
when retail launches?

2. Am I forced to buy the "Ultimate" edition or can I downgrade to an
"upgrade" from Windows XP Professional and do the Vista Business Edition?

3. Does the network ability to connect to an Xbox 360 in Media Player still
exist in Vista Business?

4. How do we upgrade from RC1 to final / RTM?

5. Will it be possible to convert to Vista 64 down the road from 32 when
driver support is better?

My fear right now is that I will not get a CD key and it will be hard for me
to activate when I do formats. I'm also concerned that because I selected
Ultimate I will be forced to buy it and there will not be any special pricing
for upgrades.

 

[Andre Da Costa [Extended64]]

1. Will Microsoft be able to give me an actual CD-Key that I can hold on to
when retail launches?

Yes

2. Am I forced to buy the "Ultimate" edition or can I downgrade to an
"upgrade" from Windows XP Professional and do the Vista Business Edition?

If you install Ultimate first, you will have to do a clean install of
Business Edition if you decide to go with that instead.

3. Does the network ability to connect to an Xbox 360 in Media Player still
exist in Vista Business?

I think that feature is specific to the consumer editions of Vista, Home
Premium and Ultimate.

4. How do we upgrade from RC1 to final / RTM?

Possible, but not a recommended scenario, unknown conflicts can occurr
that will make it difficult to diagnose problems that can occurr between
the RC1 and RTM code.

5. Will it be possible to convert to Vista 64 down the road from 32 when
driver support is better?

 

[Frank Saunders, MS-MVP OE/WM]

Ok, when I installed RC1 I decided to format my C drive and not upgrade
because I wanted to start fresh. When I installed, I chose to go with the
"Ultimate" edition of Vista 32-bit. I do have a 64-bit system but I did
not
like the signed driver requirements among other things. Also, here's
another
big one, when I first installed I did not have a Vista cd-key. I had to
call
the 800 number and have them read me an authorization code to activate.
To
this day, I do not actually have a key.. I just authorized using the phone
system.

So here are my questions.

1. Will Microsoft be able to give me an actual CD-Key that I can hold on
to
when retail launches?
No.

2. Am I forced to buy the "Ultimate" edition or can I downgrade to an
"upgrade" from Windows XP Professional and do the Vista Business Edition?

Yes, if you upgrade instead of backup and clean install.

3. Does the network ability to connect to an Xbox 360 in Media Player
still
exist in Vista Business?

See this chart and you'll know as much as I do:
Vista versions chart: http://support.teloep.org/vistaver.htm

4. How do we upgrade from RC1 to final / RTM?

Best: format and install (after buying).
Second, start DVD (or CDs) from within Vista and choose Upgrade.

5. Will it be possible to convert to Vista 64 down the road from 32 when
driver support is better?

I don't really know, but I expect so, for the right price (or wrong price
depending on how you look at it).

My fear right now is that I will not get a CD key and it will be hard for
me
to activate when I do formats. I'm also concerned that because I selected
Ultimate I will be forced to buy it and there will not be any special
pricing
for upgrades.

The DVD (or CDs) that you buy will come with a key. A key for any Beta or
RC won't work.

Personally, I think anyone who properly reported ten verifiable bugs should
get a free copy, but no one listens to me. If they did they would have
fixed a lot of OE bugs and annoyances years ago.

 

[Nero]

CD key?
You buy a DVD and all versions come on it(32 bit)
You have a reg key that you type in and that decides what version gets
installed.
If you pay for Ultimate then that key lets you install it.