Vista Product Keys?

[John Barnes]

When that article was put to bed, no one had an upgrade disk to check. Now
we have direct input from Darrell Gorter (MSFT) who has tested them and
related the results. My 2 cents.

 

[Nigel Molesworth]

When that article was put to bed, no one had an upgrade disk to check. Now
we have direct input from Darrell Gorter (MSFT) who has tested them and
related the results. My 2 cents.

Sorry for the dumb question, but MSFT?

 

[Rick Rogers]

MSFT=Microsoft. Darrell is a Microsoft representative that has been posting
in the Vista groups and helping out in getting correct information regarding
the upgrade disks to the masses.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

 

[Richard G. Harper]

Microsoft. As in, "Microsoft Employee".

--
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/
* HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

That's what happens if you don't actually try installing with an upgrade
edition product key. It looked to me like they simply didn't have access to
anything but the upgrade functionality of a full edition.

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

MicroSoFT. It is the same acronym as the stock.

Sorry for the dumb question, but MSFT?

 

[Nigel Molesworth]

It looked to me like they simply didn't have access to
anything but the upgrade functionality of a full edition.

I've got an email back:

----QUOTE----

Thanks for your email. That's interesting, and slightly worrying. We
have all been using the Ultimate version at Pro, and have either
upgraded from XP or done a clean install. But, I'm assuming that our
MSDN product key for Vista Ultimate ISN'T an upgrade key, it's the
'full version' key.

Thus, we wouldn't have been able to test for this issue even if we had
wanted to. I will ask Microsoft for their answer and, if necessary,
print a correction in the following issue. I certainly hope you don't
have to install XP before 'upgrading' to Vista.
----UNQUOTE----

Note the last line

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

LOL. I hope so too.

Everything in the article is correct as long as you are using a full edition
product key so I figured that they hadn't had access to an upgrade key.

Good job tracking down the answer!

 

[Guest]

Even more confused now, see "Upgrade Planning for Windows Vista":

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/getready/upgradeinfo.mspx

This says that to upgrade from (say) XP Professional to Vista Home
Premium requires a "clean install".

Ok I got the product key because I am a msdn subscriber what am I supposed
to do with it? Am I supposed to go out and buy vista or is there a link to
download it?

 

[Guest]

I'm unfortunately still confused. I have 3 pc's at home. One is XP; Media
Center, the other two are XP Home. I want to upgrade all 3 to VISTA. Is there
a family pack license to allow that from one upgrade DVD ? and if so, how
much ? if any links to these answeres, would appreaciate.

 

[Rick Rogers]

Hi,

There is one family pack offer available, and that is Ultimate (at around
$399 US) plus 2 copies of Home Premium for an additional $49 US each.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

 

[bob]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16832116213

 

[Guest]

Does anyone know how the Vista Product Keys are going to work? Let me
explain why I ask.

I have 5 PCs in my household, all with XP Home or XP Pro. Eventually I
will want to upgrade them the Vista Ultimate, Home, or Home Premium,
depending on their specifications and usage.

In the past I have always bought "upgrade" software, but it's a real
PITA having to insert the old CD, so I figured if I bought one "full"
copy (and 4 upgrades) I could use that to do any new install, but use
the key from the appropriate version. Will this work?

Also, will all the versions be like the RTM version I have now: all
the versions are on the CD, but you only get a key for one? If so,
does this mean you could buy a key to get a different version?

 

[Guest]

Oh yes you do :-(

I disagree. I purchased an upgrade license of Vista Business to put on a
"development" hard drive for my laptop. I installed it on a clean hdd and it
worked fine booting from the DVD. I would imagine that the content on the
DVD of Home, Home Premium and Ultimate would be the same as Business, since
all the versions are in one image. The only difference is mine came as a
download from Microsoft and the retail versions are stamped DVDs.

Any thoughts?

Justin

 

[Guest]

OK....I'm really confused!!! I am fairly intelligent when it comes
upgrading computers. With that said, is it more beneficial, for the average
user,to upgrade "in place" (from XP Media Center 2004) or do a "clean
install" and migrate data? Is there way to do a "clean install" with an
UPGRADE key?

Thanks in advance for answers,
Craig M.

 

[John Barnes]

Personal opinion only. Many are having problems with upgrades in place. If
you do one, make sure you have a complete backup of your current system.
Then make sure all items reported as questionable are removed and
uninstalled and anti-virus and firewalls at least inactivated and best
uninstalled. The least hardware attached the better until after the
upgrade.

 

[Guest]

ok first of I guess I correct serveral of you, You do not need to install
the old OS first you just need to have the old OS CD on hand and run the
upgrade from DOS then when the upgrade asks for a quilfing OS you insert the
old CD you do not need to have it installed on the computer....this is the
clean install of the up grade you get the full install that way but you still
have to show prof that you had the old version of windows so if you wanted
you could use the same copy of xp cd and new upgrade copys of Vista for your
systems you will need upgrade liscense for each copy of vista but not XP
unless installing XP!
if your doing it on multipule systems your best bet would be doing the
unattended install MS makes most the software for doing such an install free
you create the awnser file with all the information you want in it as in your
software keys and just a location where the older OS can be found...say a CD
drive on another computer...just do a search on MS about unattended Installs.
TO RE ITTERATE you do not need to have the old OS installed to us the
Upgrade version You just need the old Install CD on hand...I used the Win 98
Upgrade CD to install Xp upgrade Clean install that way! there are articals
on MSDN and Tech net about this subject! From what I have read the Vista
Upgrade will work the same way.

 

[Bob]

ok first of I guess I correct serveral of you, You do not need to install
the old OS first you just need to have the old OS CD on hand and run the
upgrade from DOS then when the upgrade asks for a quilfing OS you insert
the
old CD you do not need to have it installed on the computer....this is the
clean install of the up grade you get the full install that way but you
still
have to show prof that you had the old version of windows so if you wanted
you could use the same copy of xp cd and new upgrade copys of Vista for
your
systems you will need upgrade liscense for each copy of vista but not XP
unless installing XP!
if your doing it on multipule systems your best bet would be doing the
unattended install MS makes most the software for doing such an install
free
you create the awnser file with all the information you want in it as in
your
software keys and just a location where the older OS can be found...say a
CD
drive on another computer...just do a search on MS about unattended
Installs.
TO RE ITTERATE you do not need to have the old OS installed to us the
Upgrade version You just need the old Install CD on hand...I used the Win
98
Upgrade CD to install Xp upgrade Clean install that way! there are
articals
on MSDN and Tech net about this subject! From what I have read the Vista
Upgrade will work the same way.

What is this?...

 

[f/fgeorge]

On Wed, 31 Jan 2007 16:32:01 -0800, Tim Wayman <Tim

ok first of I guess I correct serveral of you, You do not need to install
the old OS first you just need to have the old OS CD on hand and run the
upgrade from DOS then when the upgrade asks for a quilfing OS you insert the
old CD you do not need to have it installed on the computer....this is the
clean install of the up grade you get the full install that way but you still
have to show prof that you had the old version of windows so if you wanted
you could use the same copy of xp cd and new upgrade copys of Vista for your
systems you will need upgrade liscense for each copy of vista but not XP
unless installing XP!
if your doing it on multipule systems your best bet would be doing the
unattended install MS makes most the software for doing such an install free
you create the awnser file with all the information you want in it as in your
software keys and just a location where the older OS can be found...say a CD
drive on another computer...just do a search on MS about unattended Installs.
TO RE ITTERATE you do not need to have the old OS installed to us the
Upgrade version You just need the old Install CD on hand...I used the Win 98
Upgrade CD to install Xp upgrade Clean install that way! there are articals
on MSDN and Tech net about this subject! From what I have read the Vista
Upgrade will work the same way.

So "From what I have read" means it is okay to post a long rambling
post saying it is okay? Come on, try it, jump in with both feet and
tell us if it works. We do not want to know that you THINK it will
work.
Hell..I can tell you that there are public KMS websites out there and
you do not have to use a MS Vista registration number at all! I can
tell you that for a FACT! How long they will stay up, only MS knows.

 

[Guest]

HOw do I know that my copy is activated?

Well ... first, Vista doesn't ask for a CD from your prior OS to upgrade.
The upgrade must be started from within Windows. So that worry is gone.
But each computer must be running a legitimate copy of Windows before you
can upgrade them.

--
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/
* HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm

Does anyone know how the Vista Product Keys are going to work? Let me
explain why I ask.

I have 5 PCs in my household, all with XP Home or XP Pro. Eventually I
will want to upgrade them the Vista Ultimate, Home, or Home Premium,
depending on their specifications and usage.

In the past I have always bought "upgrade" software, but it's a real
PITA having to insert the old CD, so I figured if I bought one "full"
copy (and 4 upgrades) I could use that to do any new install, but use
the key from the appropriate version. Will this work?

Also, will all the versions be like the RTM version I have now: all
the versions are on the CD, but you only get a key for one? If so,
does this mean you could buy a key to get a different version?