Vista downgrade to XP process using a Volume License Media

[Guest]

How would one perform a downgrade from Vista Buisness OEM to Windows XP using
a VLK? All the information I can find relates to activation but with the
volume license, activation is not required.

 

[David B.]

For the actual process it is the same as any other type of license, format
the hard drive and install XP and all drivers from scratch.

 

[Guest]

What about the licensing?

The VLK doesn't require activation so how would I downgrade the acutal
license instead of using up my volume licenses?

 

[Patrick Keenan]

What about the licensing?

I think you're misunderstanding here. You have two completely separate
licenses, Vista and an XP VL, and they are entirely independent and
unrelated.

The VLK doesn't require activation so how would I downgrade the acutal
license instead of using up my volume licenses?

You don't. You are simply going to have an uninstalled, extra Vista
license.

The Vista license is not related at all to the XP VL license, and does not
apply to it in any way. As it's an OEM license, it's really tied to that
hardware, and you can't even resell it.

When you install the XP VL version, you are, by definition, using one of the
purchased VL installs.

In another context, if you had to purchase an XP retail version (instead of
the VL that you have), unless the vendor agreed to accept the Vista license
back (which would be unusual) you would be purchasng another new license and
simply putting the Vista license on a shelf.

In these cases it is preferable to specify that the new machine is shipped
with XP rather than Vista, to prevent having to buy two copies of the OS.

You might consider contacting the vendor, as with OEM versions they are the
support contact. However, I doubt you will get much of anywhere.

HTH
-pk

 

[Guest]

Vista Business OEM has downgrade rights. From multiple sources, including
Microsoft themselves, state that any XP media and valid license will be
usuable for the downgrade process. With media such as the FPP or OEMs windows
will ask to activate so that you may call Microsoft to activate it using the
Vista PID after you installed it using the key since the Vista PIDs does not
work for XP installs. Volume media/license does not need activation so how
would I activate Windows using the Vista PID instead of using up my volume
licenses?

Also, I would love to find laptops that are reasonably decent and not
overpriced from HP. And we already contacted the vendor who basically said we
are on our own.

You may want to look at the Downgrade Rights Chart and the Royalty OEM
Reference Sheet.

 

[Og]

Of course the real question is -- why did you *not* purchase a laptop with
O.S. of your choice pre-installed ?

HP, Gateway, Dell, etc., all give you a choice of pre-installed operating
systems;
either XP *or* Vista.

Of course you _do_ have to do a modicum of research in order to discover
that the O.S. option is available in the *business* section of the
aforementioned vendors.

Steve

 

[Patrick Keenan]

Vista Business OEM has downgrade rights. From multiple sources, including
Microsoft themselves, state that any XP media and valid license will be
usuable for the downgrade process.
With media such as the FPP or OEMs windows
will ask to activate so that you may call Microsoft to activate it using
the
Vista PID after you installed it using the key since the Vista PIDs does
not
work for XP installs. Volume media/license does not need activation so how
would I activate Windows using the Vista PID instead of using up my volume
licenses?

OK, thanks for the clarification.

First, you do have to supply the XP install media and a valid, matching
key. You already have those as your VL set.

But you don't activate when you use install media and keys that don't
require (or even support) activation. Activation simply isn't an issue...
at least during install. You may (or may not) find that it becomes one,
later.

You install, you're covered under the license, you're done - though I'd
suspect that you may run into an issue with updates and WGA validation.
There, you may find that you need to call MS to get the override key
described below. Installing the WGA tool is probably a good way to
trigger this, if you don't want to install IE7 or one of the Media Player
versions which require validation. However, for VL versions, it may be a
while before you get to the point where your MS decides your VL key is
overused and blacklists it, causing the systems to fail validation, and you
have to call.

For versions that *do* require activation, you won't use the Vista info, you
will use the XP info for the install. As soon as the activation fails, you
willl call MS Activation support at the number provided to get an override
key. You have to call the activation center to get this, explaining that
you are downgrading, It is *then* that you require the Vista info; you
provide that to the person on the phone. And that should also cover the
validation issue.

And at least at the end of May, according to these, you have to do this
separately for *every* system you want to downgrade. MS may have figured
out how to get around this by now... you'll be finding out soon.

http://news.softpedia.com/news/Downgrade-Widows-Vista-to-Windows-XP-55607.shtml
" "OEM Downgrade Rights for desktop operating systems apply to Windows Vista
Business & Vista Ultimate End users can use the following media for their
downgrade: Volume Licensing media (provided the end user has a Volume
Licensing agreement), Retail (FPP), or System Builder hologram CD (provided
the software is acquired in accordance with the Microsoft OEM System Builder
License). Use of the downgraded operating system is governed by the Windows
Vista Business License Terms, and the end user cannot use both the downgrade
operating system and Windows Vista Business," reads a fragment of the
Microsoft information for Volume Licensing. "

http://news.softpedia.com/news/Vista-XP-Downgrade-Rights-Hot-Microsoft-Subject-57931.shtml
" But since all "good" things come in a pair, the second question is "what
media and key can I use when downgrading?" Michigan explained that "many
partners and customers are aware that their MSLT/EULA/PUR permits them to
downgrade, however we receive many questions about how customers can take
advantage of these downgrade rights. We advise the customer that if their
MSLT/EULA/PUR permits downgrade rights then they need to source the media
and key themselves. They can use any legitimate Microsoft media that they
own including FPP, OEM or Volume Licensing media and will need to use the
appropriate key for the appropriate media.""

http://www.crn.com/software/199701468
"There is a workaround: Technicians can install XP without a new Certificate
of Authenticity using a Volume License CD. Yet system builders are concerned
that such a method would look shady to customers, Swank said."

Also, I would love to find laptops that are reasonably decent and not
overpriced from HP. And we already contacted the vendor who basically said
we
are on our own.

I would suggest finding another vendor who can supply laptops that meet your
needs, and is aware of what those needs are. Be sure to inform the
previous vendor why you switched, otherwise, how will they know?

Thinkpads, for example, still list XP Pro as an option. Looking at the HP
site, and picking a system at semi-random, XP Pro is listed as the primary
OS, with Vista as an option.

So you *can* still buy systems with XP Pro installed, and there is no need
for you to order or be shipped Vista systems that require downgrade.

You may want to look at the Downgrade Rights Chart and the Royalty OEM
Reference Sheet.

That would be here:
http://download.microsoft.com/downl...cbd-699b0c164182/royaltyoemreferencesheet.pdf

Which, incidentally, tells you exactly how to do this. You provide the
media and key, you install, you call if activation is needed. The license
is valid.

The only remaining issue, then, is that you don't get a new COA, so it might
*appear* that the OS install is unlicensed, when in fact it is legitimate.

HTH
-pk

 

[Daave]

Vista Business OEM has downgrade rights. From multiple sources,
including
Microsoft themselves, state that any XP media and valid license will
be
usuable for the downgrade process. With media such as the FPP or OEMs
windows
will ask to activate so that you may call Microsoft to activate it
using the
Vista PID after you installed it using the key since the Vista PIDs
does not
work for XP installs. Volume media/license does not need activation
so how
would I activate Windows using the Vista PID instead of using up my
volume
licenses?

I did some digging and found the following at
https://partner.microsoft.com/Malaysia/40042969 :

VISTA Downgrade Rights


How to downgrade Vista Business/Ultimate to XP Pro?

Follow the step by step guide below.

1. Install the Machine with XP PRO Media and get any valid XP Product
Key.

2. After finishing the installation, there will be 2 options for you to
pick for the Windows Activation. Activate online or activate through
Phone Call. Pick activate through Phone Call.

3. The system will show a series of Installation ID for activation.

4. Send an email to (e-mail address removed), and include all the
information below:

a) XP PRO Product Key and COA installed to the machine
b) Vista Business/Ultimate Product Key and COA if possible
c)XP Installation ID that shown in the system
d) Customer information

5. Microsoft will verify the information and respond within 24 hours.
(Common case is about 5-6 hours)

6. You will received an email from SEAPA, with the activation key. Key
in the activation key.

Of course, the problem is that in Step 2, the activation occurs
automagically. So you need to find some way to get your Vista key to
replace your XP key. Try the e-mail from Step 4 and see what happens. I
also understand that some have tried calling Microsoft but with mixed
results. Here's a worthwhile thread:

http://forums.microsoft.com/TechNet/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=1907161&SiteID=17

http://forums.microsoft.com/TechNet/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=1425295&SiteID=17

 

[David B.]

Doesn't apply when using a VL as it doesn't require activation.

 

[Daave]

I always wondered about how that works.

Say you have a volume license to install XP on up to 250 PCs. If you
happen to install it on 251 PCs, would this still be allowed (not by the
license, but physically allowed)? How does WGA figure into the equation?
I just can't see Microsoft being content with the honor system.

 

[David B.]

Yes it can be done, you could even keep going after that. WGA would not flag
PC 251 or higher as non genuine, it is pretty much an honor system.

 

[Daave]

Yes it can be done, you could even keep going after that. WGA would
not flag PC 251 or higher as non genuine, it is pretty much an honor
system.

How about that? Microsoft using the honor system!

So I guess the OP need not worry; he has two licenses for that
particular PC. He can simply clean install XP and use the volume
license. There's no need to be concerned with any downgrade rights (even
though he clearly has them). He should just make sure that he either has
or creates the Vista recovery discs. For an in-place upgrade option, I
suppose he will need to obtain an installation disc (actually I'm not
sure which means of reinstalling Vista he has). He of course will need
to keep the Vista Product Key for potential future use.

But I have a feeling he wanted to do this by the book. And if that's the
case, he *should* be able to use the Vista product key. But if Microsoft
gives him too much grief, I would just forget about it. After all, he
still has the license.

 

[David B.]

Use the Vista product key? For what, installing XP? It won't work, you can't
install XP with a Vista product key, downgrade rights allow you to
downgrade, they don't provide you with an XP license, you still have to
purchase that.

 

[Guest]

Well I have a 50 license VLK with about 20 used and 30 laptops to downgrade
to XP. We plan on using up those 50 licenses eventually, so my question is if
I should worry when I acutally have 80 computers with the license?

 

[Daave]

Use the Vista product key? For what, installing XP? It won't work,
you can't install XP with a Vista product key, downgrade rights allow
you to downgrade, they don't provide you with an XP license, you
still have to purchase that.

I know.

He doesn't need to purchase an XP license; he already has one (a volume
license).

The proper way to downgrade is to install XP but with the Vista key.
Then, the user is instructed to phone Microsoft to activate Windows and
later send an e-mail to (e-mail address removed) (source:
https://partner.microsoft.com/Malaysia/40042969 ). OP's issue is that
since he has a volume license, the installation occurs without any
activation. But he would like to do it by the book, using the Vista
product key; this way he doesn't waste any of his XP volume license in
case he still needs it.

Also, see:

http://forums.microsoft.com/TechNet/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=1425295&SiteID=17

As you can see, there are still some bugs in the system!

 

[Bruce Chambers]

I always wondered about how that works.

Say you have a volume license to install XP on up to 250 PCs. If you
happen to install it on 251 PCs, would this still be allowed (not by the
license, but physically allowed)?

It would work, technically.

How does WGA figure into the equation?

It doesn't.

I just can't see Microsoft being content with the honor system.

They don't. That's why part of the Volume License agreement contract
is your agreeing to be audited, if and when Microsoft feels the need.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. -Bertrand Russell

 

[Daave]

It would work, technically.




It doesn't.




They don't. That's why part of the Volume License agreement contract
is your agreeing to be audited, if and when Microsoft feels the need.

I see.