Anyone upgrade to Vista?
Big Block go VROOOM!
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 8,578
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From: Chicago Burbs
Several threads elsewhere. Just search. Personally, I give it a big fat 
BTW - M$ announced that upgrade versions of Vista will require you to have a previous Window OS actually installed on the PC. You will not be able to use a Vista upgrade to do a clean install.
BTW - M$ announced that upgrade versions of Vista will require you to have a previous Window OS actually installed on the PC. You will not be able to use a Vista upgrade to do a clean install.
X spots the mark
Joined: Dec 2005
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From: Concrete jungles
Originally Posted by Billiam
BTW - M$ announced that upgrade versions of Vista will require you to have a previous Window OS actually installed on the PC. You will not be able to use a Vista upgrade to do a clean install.
Senior Moderator
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 47,710
Likes: 801
From: Toronto, Canada
Originally Posted by whynot
umm... isn't that what an upgrade usually means?
I believe that in the past as long as you had the old OS CD you could do a fresh install.
ie, format --> begin install of Vista upgrade --> You are asked for previous OS CD ---> Verifies --> Then continues with Vista install.
That sucks if true.
Moderator
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 64,124
Likes: 3,378
From: Not Las Vegas (SF Bay Area)
Originally Posted by dom
I believe that in the past as long as you had the old OS CD you could do a fresh install.
ie, format --> begin install of Vista upgrade --> You are asked for previous OS CD ---> Verifies --> Then continues with Vista install.
That sucks if true.
ie, format --> begin install of Vista upgrade --> You are asked for previous OS CD ---> Verifies --> Then continues with Vista install.
That sucks if true.
Senior Moderator
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 81,385
Likes: 3,068
From: Appleton WI
Im waiting till i build me new system this spring to add vista (and for the first few service packs) 
I just cant get myself to buy a mac, id like to but i dont have the $$ or the time to relearn
I just cant get myself to buy a mac, id like to but i dont have the $$ or the time to relearn
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Big Block go VROOOM!
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 8,578
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From: Chicago Burbs
Originally Posted by dom
I believe that in the past as long as you had the old OS CD you could do a fresh install.
Now if you want to wipe your machine for a rebuild you're looking at:
format -> completely install XP -> install Vista upgrade
Originally Posted by Yumchah
Awesome! 
I'd posrep you, Anil...but, I can't give you any until I spread more posreps around.
I'd posrep you, Anil...but, I can't give you any until I spread more posreps around.
screw that! give me my rep points!
Just dial 1911
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 12,144
Likes: 1
From: San Diego, CA
Originally Posted by dom
I believe that in the past as long as you had the old OS CD you could do a fresh install.
ie, format --> begin install of Vista upgrade --> You are asked for previous OS CD ---> Verifies --> Then continues with Vista install.
That sucks if true.
ie, format --> begin install of Vista upgrade --> You are asked for previous OS CD ---> Verifies --> Then continues with Vista install.
That sucks if true.
I've installed this at work on a test machine to dick around with it, but I'm not touching my home system anytime soon...
Senior Moderator
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 47,710
Likes: 801
From: Toronto, Canada
Co-worker went out and bought Ultimate upgrade. He heard about a way around having to have a previous OS installed.
- He formatted.
- Began Vista install.
- Was asked to enter product Key, but he denied.
- Install continues.
- Vista automatically puts you into a 30 day trial install.
- Once he was up and running he reran the Vista install by putting the CD back in. Entered the Vista product key and all was fine.
No previous OS CD or key even needed. Apparently MS knows about this workaround and is working on a fix, or so he says.
- He formatted.
- Began Vista install.
- Was asked to enter product Key, but he denied.
- Install continues.
- Vista automatically puts you into a 30 day trial install.
- Once he was up and running he reran the Vista install by putting the CD back in. Entered the Vista product key and all was fine.
No previous OS CD or key even needed. Apparently MS knows about this workaround and is working on a fix, or so he says.
Workaround Discovered For "Clean Install" With Vista Upgrade DVDs
Originally Posted by dom
Co-worker went out and bought Ultimate upgrade. He heard about a way around having to have a previous OS installed.
- He formatted.
- Began Vista install.
- Was asked to enter product Key, but he denied.
- Install continues.
- Vista automatically puts you into a 30 day trial install.
- Once he was up and running he reran the Vista install by putting the CD back in. Entered the Vista product key and all was fine.
No previous OS CD or key even needed. Apparently MS knows about this workaround and is working on a fix, or so he says.
- He formatted.
- Began Vista install.
- Was asked to enter product Key, but he denied.
- Install continues.
- Vista automatically puts you into a 30 day trial install.
- Once he was up and running he reran the Vista install by putting the CD back in. Entered the Vista product key and all was fine.
No previous OS CD or key even needed. Apparently MS knows about this workaround and is working on a fix, or so he says.
http://www.dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=5932
Screenshots available at the link above.
DailyTech reported on Monday that Microsoft no longer performs disc checks during an operating system install. In the past, when performing a clean install, a user could boot from an install CD and insert a disc from a previous version of Windows for upgrade compliance.
However, per Microsoft's new licensing requirements for Vista, users are required to install a Windows Vista Upgrade from within Windows XP. When this occurs, the Windows XP license is forfeited and the Windows Vista installation process can take place.
DailyTech has confirmed a new workaround proposed by Paul Thurrott (via Microsoft internal documents).
This workaround allows users to perform a “clean install.” The process is a bit tedious, but is not hard at all to complete. Users have to perform these simple steps to perform a clean install of Vista without a previous version of Windows installed with an upgrade DVD:
However, per Microsoft's new licensing requirements for Vista, users are required to install a Windows Vista Upgrade from within Windows XP. When this occurs, the Windows XP license is forfeited and the Windows Vista installation process can take place.
DailyTech has confirmed a new workaround proposed by Paul Thurrott (via Microsoft internal documents).
This workaround allows users to perform a “clean install.” The process is a bit tedious, but is not hard at all to complete. Users have to perform these simple steps to perform a clean install of Vista without a previous version of Windows installed with an upgrade DVD:
- Boot from the Windows Vista Upgrade DVD and start the setup program.
- When prompted to enter your product key, DO NOT enter it. Click "Next" and proceed with setup. This will install Windows Vista as a 30-day trial.
- When prompted, select the edition of Vista which you have purchased and continue with setup.
- Once setup has been completed and you have been brought to the desktop for the first time, run the install program from within Windows Vista.
- This time, type in your product key when prompted.
- When asked whether to perform an Upgrade or Custom (advanced) install, choose Custom (advanced) to perform a clean install of Vista. Yes, this means that you will have to install Vista for a second time.
- Once setup has completed for the second time, you should be able to activate Windows Vista normally. You can also delete the Windows.old directory which contains information from the first Vista install.
Big Block go VROOOM!
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 8,578
Likes: 1
From: Chicago Burbs
Originally Posted by Sly Raskal
I'd buy an oem version anyway which is cheaper than the retail versions out there so doesn't matter to me.
OEM software is also tied to the motherboard it is first installed on. Unlike the retail versions of Windows which can be transferred to a new computer, OEM versions are not transferable. What about upgrading hardware? Microsoft says that anything is fair game, except the motherboard. Replacing the motherboard in a computer results in a "new personal computer," which the company considers to be synonymous with a transfer. It's not permitted with an OEM edition of Windows.
Nevertheless, I've known users who got around this limitation by calling Microsoft and reporting that their motherboards died when they wanted to build a new computer. It is Microsoft's policy to allow motherboard swaps in instances where a system is defective or has suffered a hardware failure. But you shouldn't bank on this approach; there's no guarantee it will work and, well, liars don't get ice cream. Also, while retail versions of Vista include both 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows, OEM versions are specific. You get one or the other. This follows from the per device restriction. The end result is that OEM versions may not be that attractive to users who frequently build new computers from the ground up.
Nevertheless, I've known users who got around this limitation by calling Microsoft and reporting that their motherboards died when they wanted to build a new computer. It is Microsoft's policy to allow motherboard swaps in instances where a system is defective or has suffered a hardware failure. But you shouldn't bank on this approach; there's no guarantee it will work and, well, liars don't get ice cream. Also, while retail versions of Vista include both 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows, OEM versions are specific. You get one or the other. This follows from the per device restriction. The end result is that OEM versions may not be that attractive to users who frequently build new computers from the ground up.
Moderator Alumnus
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 64,162
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Originally Posted by is300eater
I was all set on up grading, actually paying money for it, but found out today, that I'm entitle to a free up grade cause I just bought my tablet earlier this month...
Originally Posted by Billiam
that would suck having to buy a new copy every damn time you build a computer. 
you buy it, you own it, you should have the right to put it on any machine you want as long as you aren't violating their policy of having two installs using the ssame serial code.
Big Block go VROOOM!
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 8,578
Likes: 1
From: Chicago Burbs
Originally Posted by Sly Raskal
you buy it, you own it, you should have the right to put it on any machine you want as long as you aren't violating their policy of having two installs using the ssame serial code.
Originally Posted by Billiam
And that's where M$ gets most people. In their world, OS's have always been licensed per device not per user. You sell or give away a computer and the OS license goes with it.
there are too many flaws with their stance.
