Vista and New Computer

[Betty]

I just bought a new computer at Best Buy with Vista Ultimate. My question is
this....do I have the full version of Vista or an upgraded one and how can I
know for sure?? In other words, if it was an upgraded version, would I be
able to go back to XP? I can't find any files for XP so it must be a full
$400 version right???

I'm trying to justify what I spent on this computer to make myself feel
better for buying a store bought computer. LOL

Thanks for any help...Betty

 

[David B.]

You have an OEM version, which is a "full" version, and not worth anywhere
near $400. XP was never on your new system, so there's nothing to go back
to.

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[Richard Urban]

If you bought a new computer with Vista already installed, whatever they
sold you is what you have. There is no going back to Windows XP. It doesn't
exist.

If, on the other hand, you purchased a computer that had XP on it, and
purchased Vista Ultimate retail, it depends upon which version you purchased
and how you performed the install.

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Regards,

Richard Urban MVP
Microsoft Windows Shell/User

 

[Ronnie Vernon MVP]

You probably have an OEM version which is what just about all of the major
and minor vendors use for a pre-installed OS.

This is the same as a full retail version as far as functionality is
concerned. There are a few caveats with an OEM version. The OEM version is
supported by the vendor who sold you the computer, not Microsoft and the OS
cannot be moved to a new computer like you can do with the full retail
version.

 

[Betty]

Thanks to all that replied.
I'm still learning about computers and wasn't sure.

Betty

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

I just bought a new computer at Best Buy with Vista Ultimate. My
question is this....do I have the full version of Vista or an
upgraded one

Neither. You have an OEM version.

Although some people may call the OEM versions "Full," they are different
from the Full retail versions in several respects (see below)

and how can I know for sure?? In other words, if it was
an upgraded version,

No, when you buy a computer like this, it's never an upgraded version.

would I be able to go back to XP?

No, there's nothing to go back to.

I can't find
any files for XP

Right. They are not there.

so it must be a full $400 version right???

No. It's an OEM version, which sells by itself for roughly $200

The OEM version contains the same software as the Full retail (or Upgrade
version) but differs from the Full version in that it comes with the
following restrictions (which is why it's significantly cheaper than the
Full version):

1. Its license ties it permanently to the first computer it's installed on.
It can never legally be moved to another computer, sold, or given away.

2. It can only do a clean installation, not an upgrade.

3. Microsoft provides no support for OEM versions. You can't call them with
a problem, but instead have to get any needed support from your OEM; that
support may range anywhere between good and non-existent. Or you can get
support elsewhere, such as in these newsgroups.

That first restriction is, to me, the most significant one.