Will MS allow me to buy Vista early?

[Guest]

Hello, I was able to download the RTM version of Vista. What I'd like to know
is will I be able to buy it online after I install? Or will I just be allowed
a couple days to use it before it disables itself?
Thanks,
Edison

 

[Theo]

Why don't you call Microsoft and ask them?

If you get the information straight from the horse's mouth
then you don't have to worry about the authenticity of the
information.

 

[Richard Urban]

The RTM version of Vista is not available as of yet. If you downloaded it
from somewhere, it is to be considered illegal. Don't expect any support for
this. You can likely use it for 30 days, then you will have to buy a
version.

--

Regards,

Richard Urban
Microsoft MVP Windows Shell/User
(For email, remove the obvious from my address)

Quote from George Ankner:
If you knew as much as you think you know,
You would realize that you don't know what you thought you knew!

 

[Guest]

I have no problem with buying it. Would I have to uninstall and then
reinstall at the end of the 30 days? Or, can I just install the RTM and buy
it once its installed?
Thanks!

 

[JW]

What is the version of the release you downloaded?

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

That information will can be easily received from the legitimate source of
your RTM Vista.

If the source was not legitimate, no one here can answer since some
illegitimate sources in the past contaminate what they deliver for "free"
changing the product in unpredictable ways.

 

[Guest]

I downloaded version 6000.16386.061101-2205 the MD5 is
d1ff9802d93871c9b90fe5542e84f89e
From what I've read, this is the MSDN version.
Thanks,
Edison

 

[Guest]

The file that I forst downloaded was called 'The Bill Gates Version" I thin
found a patch that was supposed to return the file to its original form.
The MB5 sums are:
1) for the Bill Gates Version-c7792c31aeea98be645ab295d35e8eef
2) for the "patched back to original version" -
d1ff9802d93871c9b90fe5542e84f89e

 

[Jeff]

Dr. Edison,

Enuf of their blathering,
Again; there's a 30 day window for Windows(window for Windows-haha!!); after
which Windows will become non-functional.
I'm not sure what that entails; but it's a 30 day period before it goes
funky on ya.
As to reinstalling;not sure either.

Jeff

 

[Rich Milburn]

Hello Dr. Edison,

That's an interesting question. It's like, "I just downloaded _Borat_, and
I'm wondering (I know it's not out for a few months on DVD but) can I send
in $12.99 and get the label and box for it?"

I'm not sure Microsoft really condones the .torrent version of Try Before
You Buy...

Rich

 

[Clint]

One thing I've experienced with XP and MSDN versions is that the MSDN keys
don't work on a retail installation. Not sure if that will work the other
way around. So you may need to either re-install, or somehow procure MSDN
keys.

Personally, I think you'd be better off either running with RC1 or 2 till
the retail copy comes out, or just waiting, if you don't have a reliable way
to get keys for the version you're going to install. I wouldn't count on
being able to get retail keys before January sometime (which would be
outside your 30 day window), and I wouldn't count on retail keys working
with your version in any case.

 

[Rich Milburn]

Hello Theo,

what is that number? 1-800-RU-LEGIT?

 

[Theo]

Sounds like the right number.

Hello Theo,

what is that number? 1-800-RU-LEGIT?

 

[Peter M]

Heh, and how long do you think it will take MS to notice thousands of MSDN
copies all passing activation with the same MSDN key? I can't wait for the
suprise on the faces of "little Johnnies" everywhere when they go to finish
their term papers/reports and suddenly they can't access their files 'cause
the key is blacklisted and Vista no longer functions fully.

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Vista is not yet available through MSDN.
So yours is not from MSDN.
So what you read is wrong.
What else of what you read there is also wrong?

 

[SpeedKing]

IF anyone has RC1 or RC2 then if you copy two files over to the "RTM"version
that everyone is downloading, you can activate it with your product key(RC1
or RC2)and have the 120 days or whatever.
That way there will not be thousands using the same key.

 

[Richard Urban]

You will "likely" be able to just type in the install key and validate the
system. The version you end up buying must exactly match that which you
already have installed on your computer. If you have Ultimate on your
computer you must purchase Ultimate to get a valid key.

Of course, all this is speculation, as no one has done this. Remember, the
operating system has not been released for sale and no one has a legal
retail copy as of yet.

You are really on your own and have no one to complain to if the above
scenario fails to work for you.

--

Regards,

Richard Urban
Microsoft MVP Windows Shell/User
(For email, remove the obvious from my address)

Quote from George Ankner:
If you knew as much as you think you know,
You would realize that you don't know what you thought you knew!

 

[Guest]

Well, I'm guessing that MS will give me the option of buying Vista once it's
completed installing...I did not enter a product key because I figuered that
MS would supply one once I make the purchase. I did try using my RC keys but
the installer would not accept.
Thanks for the advice!

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

"that everyone is downloading"
Absolutely FALSE since myself and many others have no intention of doing
this.

 

[Guest]

Hi Rich,
I did a clean install of Vista and am able to go to a webpage where I can
buy a key. I really don't think MS condones that either but I've never heard
of them refusing money either