Vista upgrade Question

R

Rammunition

Hi, i currently have a computer which is a 250GB HD and that has XP-32-bit
OEM install on that. This HD has all my applications, games, work etc and
want to keep it. OEM being that my motherboard is the licence holder, not the
individual so i cannot upgrade the motherboard.


I am doing a brand new build with a 500GB HD, new motherboard, CPU ETC. But
i want to keep the 250GB due to what it has (all my stuff) so i am going to
use both, with the 250GB being used as the main.
I have decided i want to give Vista a go. But with XP OEM being on the 250GB
HD i have a few issues/Questions.


1.) i am a student, so is my bro, we are both at college. I have seen the
EDU home premium UPGRADE version(which keeps all your applications etc) which
is cheaper than the others. If i install this EDU version on my current
computer/Hard-drive (250GB), then remove the HD and put it in my new build
will this version remain an OEM, due to it being an upgrade???

2.) if so which version of vista do you recommend for an UPGRADE, NOT clean
install, and is NOT an OEM???

thanks
 
N

Nonny

Hi, i currently have a computer which is a 250GB HD and that has XP-32-bit
OEM install on that.
Click to expand...

What 32-bit version? That's important if you want to do an upgrade.
 
C

Carey Frisch [MVP]

Sorry, but an OEM version of Windows XP is non-transferrable to
a different computer. For your new computer, you'll need to purchase
a "Full Version" of Windows Vista and then install your desired programs.
Afterward, use Vista's "Easy Transfer" to transfer your files and settings
from the old computer running Windows XP to the new computer running
Windows Vista.

How to use Windows Vista's Easy Transfer:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/buyorupgrade/easytransfer.mspx

How students can save on Microsoft software:
http://www.microsoft.com/education/howtobuystudents.mspx

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows Desktop Experience -
Windows Vista Enthusiast

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

:

Hi, i currently have a computer which is a 250GB HD and that has XP-32-bit
OEM install on that. This HD has all my applications, games, work etc and
want to keep it. OEM being that my motherboard is the licence holder, not the
individual so i cannot upgrade the motherboard.


I am doing a brand new build with a 500GB HD, new motherboard, CPU ETC. But
i want to keep the 250GB due to what it has (all my stuff) so i am going to
use both, with the 250GB being used as the main.
I have decided i want to give Vista a go. But with XP OEM being on the 250GB
HD i have a few issues/Questions.


1.) i am a student, so is my bro, we are both at college. I have seen the
EDU home premium UPGRADE version(which keeps all your applications etc) which
is cheaper than the others. If i install this EDU version on my current
computer/Hard-drive (250GB), then remove the HD and put it in my new build
will this version remain an OEM, due to it being an upgrade???

2.) if so which version of vista do you recommend for an UPGRADE, NOT clean
install, and is NOT an OEM???

thanks
 
N

Not Me

It should work fine as a slave.
I don't recommend RAID unless there is a really compelling reason for a home
user.
The data on the 250GB will be there, but the programs won't run unless you
install them in Vista.
I would buy an OEM version of Vista if I was going to use it on that
machine.
I use Vista, but still haven't figured out how to like it.
 
C

Carey Frisch [MVP]

It's a little involved since the new computer's hardware would
be almost completely different from the old computer's hardware,
especially the motherboard.

Using your old computer running Windows XP, upgrade to the
appropriate retail upgrade edition of Windows Vista, then install the
hard drive in the new computer. The new computer will not boot into
Windows Vista properly, so you'll have to perform a "Startup
Repair" operation.

Windows Vista Repair Options
http://vistasupport.mvps.org/windows_vista_repair_options.htm

P.S. Do not try to install the hard drive as a slave/RAID as it will
not work.

Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/buyorupgrade/upgradeadvisor.mspx

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows Desktop Experience -
Windows Vista Enthusiast

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

:

What if i install Vista on the new HD (500GB) but have the 250GB has a
slave/raid when installing vista.

would that work
 
R

Rammunition

So if i build my new computer, add the 500GB HD as main the the 250GB as a
slave. Then i install vista (oem or whatever) would that mean vista will
install on both HD's???



If not, what version of vista UPGRADE (installs over an OS, keeping
software, documents etc) would be recommended that is NOT an OEM???











------------------------------------------------------------
 
R

Rammunition

Ok, if i purchase Vista HP is their normally an option of UPGRADE or CLEAN
INSTALL????
or is it just clean install?????
 
C

Carey Frisch [MVP]

How to upgrade from Windows XP to Windows Vista by using
the upgrade version of Windows Vista:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/931226/en-us

Installation choices for consumer versions of Windows Vista:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/932616/en-us

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows Desktop Experience -
Windows Vista Enthusiast

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

Ok, if i purchase Vista HP is their normally an option of UPGRADE or CLEAN
INSTALL????
or is it just clean install?????
 
C

Carey Frisch [MVP]

No. Following the procedure I outlined previously,
install the old hard drive as the Master and the new
hard drive as the Slave. If the hard drives as SATA,
then read your motherboard's User's Guide for
instructions for BIOS settings for Boot drive order.

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows Desktop Experience -
Windows Vista Enthusiast

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

So if i build my new computer, add the 500GB HD as main the the 250GB as a
slave. Then i install vista (oem or whatever) would that mean vista will
install on both HD's???



If not, what version of vista UPGRADE (installs over an OS, keeping
software, documents etc) would be recommended that is NOT an OEM???











------------------------------------------------------------
 
R

Rammunition

Is the UPGRADE version an OEM???



so if i upgrade my XP to Vista will it be an OEM???
 
D

Donald L McDaniel

Hi, i currently have a computer which is a 250GB HD and that has XP-32-bit
OEM install on that. This HD has all my applications, games, work etc and
want to keep it. OEM being that my motherboard is the licence holder, not the
individual so i cannot upgrade the motherboard.
Click to expand...

How did you come to this conclusion? And, HOW can an inanimate object
(the motherboard) be "the license holder"? Makes absolutely no sense
to me.

The true "license holder" is YOU, not an inanimate object. The
Motherboard may or may not be the licensed piece of hardware (such
"licenses", as far as I know, have not yet been upheld in a court of
law anywhere.
I am doing a brand new build with a 500GB HD, new motherboard, CPU ETC. But
i want to keep the 250GB due to what it has (all my stuff) so i am going to
use both, with the 250GB being used as the main.
I have decided i want to give Vista a go. But with XP OEM being on the 250GB
HD i have a few issues/Questions.


1.) i am a student, so is my bro, we are both at college. I have seen the
EDU home premium UPGRADE version(which keeps all your applications etc) which
is cheaper than the others. If i install this EDU version on my current
computer/Hard-drive (250GB), then remove the HD and put it in my new build
will this version remain an OEM, due to it being an upgrade???

2.) if so which version of vista do you recommend for an UPGRADE, NOT clean
install, and is NOT an OEM???
Click to expand...

ANYTIME you install Windows using Retail media, the license becomes a
RETAIL license. However, the OEM product must remain with that
machine, since it is the basis for your Upgrade, and it can no longer
be used on any machine. HOWEVER, if you wish, you may transfer the
Upgrade license to any other machine which already has a Windows
license associated with it. The OEM license must remain with the
machine it was originally installed on, as is the case with all OEM
licenses.

If you can make sense out of that, you understand the matter much
clearer than I do.


That's how I understand it. Others might understand it differently.

I would certainly appreciate the opiinion of a corporate attorney
about it, however.

Donald L McDaniel
 
D

Donald L McDaniel

Sorry, but an OEM version of Windows XP is non-transferrable to
a different computer. For your new computer, you'll need to purchase
a "Full Version" of Windows Vista and then install your desired programs.
Afterward, use Vista's "Easy Transfer" to transfer your files and settings
from the old computer running Windows XP to the new computer running
Windows Vista.

How to use Windows Vista's Easy Transfer:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/buyorupgrade/easytransfer.mspx

How students can save on Microsoft software:
http://www.microsoft.com/education/howtobuystudents.mspx
Click to expand...


That certainly makes more sense than my explanation. Thanks, Carey

Donald L McDaniel
 
M

Mick Murphy

OEMs do NOT come in UPGRADE DISKS!

AND, get it through your thick head that you can NOT do an upgrade to that
XP Hard Drive if you install it in another computer.
You can read the info on it, and that is all you can do.

You have been told and told by Carey Frisch; LISTEN!
 
D

Donald L McDaniel

What if i install Vista on the new HD (500GB) but have the 250GB has a
slave/raid when installing vista.
Click to expand...

Actaully, friend, you don't even have to keep your OEM version of XP
installed on the 250GB drive. Just sell it (the OEM version) along
with the original machine it was installed on, and wipe the 250GB
drive completely. That would be perfectly acceptable to Microsoft.

Then, if you wish, you can use the 250GB drive as either master or
slave.

Just as long as you remove XP from it before reusing it. That is the
important consideration in your situation.

Microsoft is not trying to keep us from reusing our hardware. They
just want to make sure the hardware we reuse is properly licensed for
use with their OS.

Unless, of course, you already OWN a licensed "full version" of 2k or
XP, in which case, all that is necessary is an UPGRADE copy of Vista.

Be careful there, a few of the MVPs are Microsoft shills, and since
Microsoft would rather you pay $299-399 for a "full" copy, they always
give the same advice: "one MUST purchase a 'Full version" (as opposed
to a "Full OEM" version. (unless I have misunderstood Carey). But it
appears that they use the words "Full version" as being equal with
"Full Retail Version". This causes much confusion in the newsgroups,
as it possibly is intended to do.

YOu COULD purchase a "FULL OEM" (now referred to as a "System Builder
Kit") from the shop you purchase the parts for the new computer you
plan on building. And for well over $100 cheaper than you would pay
for a "Full Retail" copy. REmember, however, you must keep that
license with the new machine you build, and will not be able to
transfer it without also selling the new machine along with it, since
it is, after all, an "OEM" version.

It all boils down to this: That copy of XP is "dead" to you, unless
you also sell the machine it was originally installed on along with
it, or keep it on the original machine. This does NOT mean it has to
stay on the same HD (your 250GB drive). You could reinstall it on a
different HD which you would put in the old machine. Just as long as
it is using the same motherboard/CPU pair, or one provided by the OEM
who sold it to you (or by yourself, if you built it).

That certainly sounds reasonable.


Sadly, in your case, Carey is spot on about needing to purchase a
"FULL RETAIL" (if that is what he was saying) version, since you have
decided to do an upgrade install rather than installing fresh. You
simply can't put the Upgrade license on your old HD, then remove it
and transfer the license to the new machine, since OEM software cannot
be transferred to a different machine. The OEM license must remain on
the old machine in any case.

I've never seen Carey differentiate between "Full Retail" and "Full
OEM" in his posts. He always says "a Full Version version must be
purchased", but hardly ever mentions the price difference between OEM
softare and Retail software. Either may be installed on a new
machine. The FULL OEM license must be a NEW one, never installed on
another machine before, while a FULL RETAIL License may be installed
on any machine, as long as it is installed and used on only one
machine at time. Additionally, a FULL OEM copy is much cheaper than
the FULL OEM license, but may only be reinstalled by the same user on
the same machine, until he transfers the license and machine to
another person, which is why it is so much cheaper (at least half as
cheap as the Retail license). The last OEM copy of XP I purchased
only cost $135, much cheaper than the $299 a Retail copy would have
cost, while the System builder Kit I purchased for my new Vista
machine cost about $269, about $130 cheaper than a Full Retail copy of
Vista Ultimate.


Donald L McDaniel
 
D

Donald L McDaniel

Ok, if i purchase Vista HP is their normally an option of UPGRADE or CLEAN
INSTALL????
or is it just clean install?????
Click to expand...


There is no option to do a clean install with an upgrade disk, even
though many explain how to do it. Doing a clean install with an
Upgrade license is contrary to the spirit (if not the letter) of the
Vista EULA.

One may do either and still maintain his Vista EULA using a "Full
Retail" license. There will be an option to do either when entering a
Full Retail license key after booting from the Install media. There
won't be an option to install "clean" if booting with an Upgrade key.
Additionally, a preexisting OS (i.e., "XP, 2k, or Vista" must be
present to install using an upgrade key.) The old way [inserting
licensed copies of previous Windows OSes when instructed to by the
UPgrade media Installer] is not present in Vista. The Installation
media MUST remain in the drive until after the routine which tests
one's Experience Index.

The so-called "work-around" involves not entering one's CD key after
booting using the installation media. No matter WHAT anyone says,
that is NOT a way out put there by Microsoft to sell more copies of
Vista, and doing this will invalidate your license, even if your OS
activates.

Additionally, one may do a "clean" or upgrade installation from within
Vista using Full Retail keys, but he cannot do an upgrade installation
from within Vista if his license is OEM.

The option to do an upgrade will always be greyed out in the case of
OEM Keys.

Donald L McDaniel
 
T

the wharf rat

It all boils down to this: That copy of XP is "dead" to you, unless
you also sell the machine it was originally installed on along with
it, or keep it on the original machine. This does NOT mean it has to
stay on the same HD (your 250GB drive). You could reinstall it on a
different HD which you would put in the old machine. Just as long as
it is using the same motherboard/CPU pair, or one provided by the OEM
who sold it to you (or by yourself, if you built it).
Click to expand...

Mind showing us where it says that in the original XP license?

They didn't add that "motherboard" crap until Vista.
 
C

Colin Barnhorst

Rammunition said:
Is the UPGRADE version an OEM???



so if i upgrade my XP to Vista will it be an OEM???



------------------------------------------------------------
Click to expand...

There is no upgrade functionality in an OEM copy. No OEM can upgrade. They
can only perform an installation from scratch. OEM is for system builders
making a computer for sale to customers anyway. Stick with retail.
 
C

Colin Barnhorst

C

Colin Barnhorst

Donald L McDaniel said:
The OEM license must remain with the
machine it was originally installed on, as is the case with all OEM
licenses.

If you can make sense out of that, you understand the matter much
clearer than I do.

Donald L McDaniel
Click to expand...

The exact wording in a Vista OEM EULA is:

"2. INSTALLATION AND USE RIGHTS. The software license is permanently
assigned to the device with which you acquired the software. That device is
the "licensed device." A hardware partition or blade is considered to be a
separate device."

Just to tidy up a bit, the term "OEM license" actually refers to the OEM
(System Builder) License which is distributed with OEM packs to system
builders. The end user is goverened by the "consumer_oem" EULA which is
installed with Windows at C:\windows\system32\license. It is currently
cited at the foot of the license as
"EULAID:VistaSP1_R1.0_CONSUMER_OEM_en-US".

More than you ever wanted to know. :)
 

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