Upgrade to Vista from Non-Authentic XP Pro

[Guest]

My Computer runs Windows XP Professional, but it is not an authentic version...
To upgrade to Windows Vista, can I buy (when it is released) the upgrade
version of Vista or I'll have to obtain the full version os Vista (or maybe
an Authentic XP than just the upgrade)

 

[Clint]

Well, according to the license agreement, you'd have to get the full
release, I would think. I somehow doubt you'd get the financial benefit of
the upgrade price for pirated software. Don't know about technically,
however.

Clint

 

[Theo]

In all probability the Vista upgrades will have some form of
the Windows Genuine check.

What makes you think Microsoft would reward you for running
pirated software by allowing you to purchase a lower priced
upgrade package?

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

Windows Vista will not permit an upgrade over a
"non-genuine" version of Windows XP. You'll
need to purchase the "Full Version" of Windows
Vista and perform a "clean install".

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows Shell/User

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

:

| My Computer runs Windows XP Professional, but it is not an authentic version...
| To upgrade to Windows Vista, can I buy (when it is released) the upgrade
| version of Vista or I'll have to obtain the full version os Vista (or maybe
| an Authentic XP than just the upgrade)

 

[John Barnett MVP]

You'll need the 'full' version

--
John Barnett MVP
Associate Expert
Windows Shell/User

Web: http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org
Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org

The information in this mail/post is supplied "as is". No warranty of any
kind, either expressed or implied, is made in relation to the accuracy,
reliability or content of this mail/post. The Author shall not be liable for
any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages arising out of the
use of, or inability to use, information or opinions expressed in this
mail/post..

 

[Roy Coorne]

My Computer runs Windows XP Professional, but it is not an authentic version...
To upgrade to Windows Vista, can I buy (when it is released) the upgrade
version of Vista or I'll have to obtain the full version os Vista (or maybe
an Authentic XP than just the upgrade)

For upgrading a non-authentic XP to Vista, you need a non-authentic
uprade version of Vista - that's Logics 101, isn't it;-)

 

[Barry Watzman]

You know, the best approach here might be to buy a copy of Windows XP
Media Center version NOW, which comes with a free upgrade to Vista
Premium if you buy it from a retailer offing such upgrades. You can get
this from Newegg for about $110, and that's going to be the cheapest
way, BY FAR, of getting completely "legal" from where you are now. It
gets you both the legal copy of XP to upgrade, and a free upgrade (and
not to the crappy Vista Basic, but to Vista Premium).

However, I'm curious as to the answer to your question, which can be
reworded as "when upgrading an installed copy of XP to Vista, does the
installed copy have to be activated and/or authenticated (with WGA)?",
because it has a lot of implications even for a legal copy of XP that is
not on the internet.

 

[xfile]

Or if you have other qualified genuine Windows (e.g Win 2000), use them for
upgrade.

And if your friends have earlier versions of genuine Windows that they will
not use for Vista upgrade, you could also borrow (or buy, se., $1) from them
and install it and use it for the upgrade.

There are many versions qualified for update version (I don't remember them
all), find and buy one of the oldest which may be the cheapest, and use that
for upgrade and convert to the genuine one.

Hope this helps.

 

[xfile]

What makes you think Microsoft would reward you for running pirated

software by allowing you to purchase a lower priced upgrade package?

Start using a genuine one.

 

[Henry Jones]

Why are you running a non authentic version in the first place? Either
purchase a copy of XP and go the upgrade route to Vista or break down and
purchase a legit copy of Vista. Not that expensive, and you will then be
entitled to all the upgrades to protect your system.

I am a software developer and even though I'm not crazy about Microsoft,
having bootleg software is in reality stealing from someone. Yes,
Microsoft makes billions, but you are stealing their product.

 

[xfile]

I will try to help those who want to correct their mistakes instead of
accusing them without knowing the background story.

He is here to ask how to make it right, not to listen you or others' moral
lectures.

 

[Guest]

Excellent perephrial vision Xfile. Tunnel vision thrives in forums.
Wrong to be critical if all the facts are have not been explained.
I applaud your morality.

tac

 

[Barry Watzman]

You apparently have two choices, both of which you seem to be aware of:

-Buy Full Version Vista

or

-Buy a legitimate copy of XP, install it, and then install an upgrade
version of Vista

The only benefits of the second option are that it might be a bit
cheaper (right now, while "free" Vista upgrades are available with some
XP purchases), and that, legalities aside, you MIGHT be able to use both
the copy of XP and the copy of Vista on the same machine (dual boot ...
MIGHT be legal) or on two different machines (might be physically
possible, but definitely not legal).

 

[Paul-B]

You apparently have two choices, both of which you seem to be aware
of:

-Buy Full Version Vista

or

-Buy a legitimate copy of XP, install it, and then install an upgrade
version of Vista

The only benefits of the second option are that it might be a bit
cheaper (right now, while "free" Vista upgrades are available with
some XP purchases), and that, legalities aside, you MIGHT be able to
use both the copy of XP and the copy of Vista on the same machine
(dual boot ... MIGHT be legal) or on two different machines (might be
physically possible, but definitely not legal).

There is, of course, a third option.

Download an iso of Vista AIO from one of the many torrent sites which
are tracking it

Burn to a DVD

Install Vista Business Edition

Activate on one of the many Chinese servers which are still around.

But that's immoral.

 

[John Monahan]

I have the same problem with an old "OEM" copy of XP.
Could somebody explain:-

"Download an iso of Vista AIO from one of the many torrent sites which
are tracking it" in a bit more detail.

Actully I wish to get a legatimate copy of the upgrade VISTA just dont want
to have to do an XP reinstall.

 

[Paul-B]

I have the same problem with an old "OEM" copy of XP.
Could somebody explain:-

"Download an iso of Vista AIO from one of the many torrent sites which
are tracking it" in a bit more detail.

Pirate copies of Vista AIO or Vista Business are easily available from
torrent sites, such as Demonoid, Isohunt, Pirate Bay etc.

Actully I wish to get a legatimate copy of the upgrade VISTA just
dont want to have to do an XP reinstall.

AFAIK the *only* way you will be able to use an upgrade version of
Vista is to install it over an existing XP install, therefore what you
want to do is not possible.

 

[Richard G. Harper]

Forget that idea. It's piracy - you are being advised that one solution to
your problem would be to download a pirated copy of Vista and activate it
using one of the servers in China that are apparently activating such
copies.

You don't have a choice - if you want to buy an Upgrade version of Vista you
have to have Windows XP installed. If you don't want to install Windows XP
you need a Full version of Vista.

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User] (e-mail address removed)
* NEW! Catch my blog ... http://msmvps.com/blogs/rgharper/
* PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
* The Website - http://rgharper.mvps.org/
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[Paul-B]

Forget that idea. It's piracy - you are being advised that one
solution to your problem would be to download a pirated copy of Vista
and activate it using one of the servers in China that are apparently
activating such copies.

You don't have a choice - if you want to buy an Upgrade version of
Vista you have to have Windows XP installed. If you don't want to
install Windows XP you need a Full version of Vista.

Oh, but he does have a choice, as do you or I or anyone else. We may
choose to pirate software... it may be illegal/immoral but it's still a
choice.

I was giving no advice, I was pointing out that there are alternative
choices available.

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

The only way to avoid having to have Win2k or XP on the system is to
purchase a full retail edition of Vista. There is no way to install Vista
with an upgrade edition product key without having an eligible OS already on
the computer.