Windows Marketplace Upgrade Options Tool / 64-bit vs 32-bit / Academic versions

[invader]

I ran the Windows Marketplace Upgrade Options tool to see if I could upgrade
'in place' my XP Pro system to Vista. It very nicely informs me that I can
upgrade to Vista Business (but neither of the home versions). That part I
understand.

However, when I click the link in the tool for the business edition, it
brings up a web page for 64-bit Vista Business upgrade.

To the best of my knowledge (and I'm pretty sure about this), I'm running the
32-bit version of XP. From what I've read, you cannot do an in-place upgrade
from 32-bit to 64-bit. Is this tool totally bogus or what? It damn near had
me ordering the wrong version...

Second question -- I believe I'm using an academic version of XP pro. Can you
upgrade from 'academic' XP pro to Vista business? The Upgrade Options Tool
seems to think I can, but I don't have a whole lot of confidence in that
tool. I've heard someone say that academic versions are not eligible for
upgrade, so I want to be darn sure before I give microsoft my hard-earned 200
bucks just to have the installer puke half-way through with a licensing
problem.

IMO Microsoft is insane having four different versions of windows, two
platforms per version, two different kinds of releases (upgrade, full), and
bizarro eligibility requirements for performing upgrades. It makes life a
complete mess for the end user, and causes many of them to NOT purchase the
product because they don't understand the insane licensing requirements.

 

[Rock]

I ran the Windows Marketplace Upgrade Options tool to see if I could
upgrade
'in place' my XP Pro system to Vista. It very nicely informs me that I can
upgrade to Vista Business (but neither of the home versions). That part I
understand.

However, when I click the link in the tool for the business edition, it
brings up a web page for 64-bit Vista Business upgrade.

To the best of my knowledge (and I'm pretty sure about this), I'm running
the
32-bit version of XP. From what I've read, you cannot do an in-place
upgrade
from 32-bit to 64-bit. Is this tool totally bogus or what? It damn near
had
me ordering the wrong version...

Second question -- I believe I'm using an academic version of XP pro. Can
you
upgrade from 'academic' XP pro to Vista business? The Upgrade Options Tool
seems to think I can, but I don't have a whole lot of confidence in that
tool. I've heard someone say that academic versions are not eligible for
upgrade, so I want to be darn sure before I give microsoft my hard-earned
200
bucks just to have the installer puke half-way through with a licensing
problem.

IMO Microsoft is insane having four different versions of windows, two
platforms per version, two different kinds of releases (upgrade, full),
and
bizarro eligibility requirements for performing upgrades. It makes life a
complete mess for the end user, and causes many of them to NOT purchase
the
product because they don't understand the insane licensing requirements.

You forgot to add OEM and Volume License versions into the mix...lol.

I cannot say for sure but I believe Academic XP Pro is a qualifying OS to
use an upgrade version. I would suggest you not buy it online though.
Purchase what you need at your favorite discount software retailer so you
get the DVD. It will undoubtedly be less cost.