Anyone with some Vista Installation/upgrade/swapping knowledge!

Judas · Oct 3, 2007, 06:21 PM

Ok heres the situation.... and i want to get this either confirmed or some kind of idea figured out.. (as i've been waiting on a MS reply for some time now)

Got a older computer, has windows vista on it (32bit)

Vista is a retail Home Premium copy, that was installed, activated, and used since nearly a week after it was available, about 3 months down the road is was upgraded over the internet via MS's upgrade system to Ultimate.

Now heres the dilema...

This machine is getting the boot, being stripped down and parted out.... a New machine is ready to roll, so basically everything is going to be GONE. A fresh install of windows is needed..

the Question arises, being retail, i don't think switching to a new machine is going to be a problem at all, BUT

Should i be able to install windows Vista Ultimate STRAIGHT AWAY onto the machine, or does the upgrade process have to be done (and how so?)... also, being 32bit version, and then upgraded to ultimate (retail).... i'm not sure, but would installing 64bit version of ultimate cause any greif? Is it possible? (as we've got a 64bit DVD here already....)....

anyone got any ideas?

ChaosMinionX · Oct 3, 2007, 07:15 PM

As far as I know it should be able to go right to Vista Ultimate. If not you should be able to go from Home Premium to Ultimate again via the upgrade package you got from the website.

And dont worry about it denying your activation, I currently use my OEM Vista Ultimate x64 on 3 different computers, all of which are activated. Especially when its a completely new computer, they wont have any problem.

EDIT: After rereading your post, just use Ultimate x64 DVD that you have, its the best vista, and its possible as long as your new system has a 64bit chip in it

Assuming that answers the question at hand, if not lemme know

PangingJr · Oct 3, 2007, 07:20 PM

i have no idea, but i don't think it needs to be worried about, if i am in that situation i would install the x64 edition, then try to activate it online, and then if not possible, i would simply use the toll-free number and tell the agent what's actually going on and what's changed, and ask him what do i have to do to activate my copy of Windows.

ChaosMinionX · Oct 3, 2007, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PangingJr

i have no idea, but i don't think it needs to be worried about, if i am in that situation i would install the x64 edition, then try to activate it online, and then if not possible, i would simply use the toll-free number and tell the agent what's actually going on and what's changed, and ask him what do i have to do to activate my copy of Windows.

Yeah, when you call them. Tell them it was a complete system rebuild, and the hardware ID changed. Usually works for me since I swap processors/mobos so much.

Judas · Oct 3, 2007, 09:07 PM

sounds good

PangingJr · Oct 3, 2007, 09:15 PM

you probably don't need to talk to any agent at all if the activate by phone method worked, otherwise, just tell the agent when he's on the phone the truth... i just changed the system board... i just upgraded firmware on my DVD drive, then after i rebooted the Windows requires to be reactivated... i was testing a disk imaging tool and i just get the reactivation notices.
i found you can just tell them the truth, they have made the reactivation process very simple. but, who knows, the situation can be different.

EcPercy · Oct 4, 2007, 07:16 PM

Activating over the phone is painless. Some people make a huge deal over it, but I have had to call before and it took like 5-8 minutes total. They really didn't ask much. Just why I was re-activating. After that they gave me the numbers to get it activated again.

Judas · Oct 4, 2007, 07:32 PM

i'm still a litter curious how this will go over..

considering the retail package is 32bit home premium and then upgraded to ultimate.. and if the cdkey information will work for 64bit version.....

i'm still waiting on an email from MS

PangingJr · Oct 5, 2007, 07:48 AM

you have been reading the Windows Anytime Upgrade FAQ's?

reading that, is a bit confuse me too much alright. it's sound like you are going to have to purchase a new upgrade, or new product key again?
i don't know, but what is my prediction based on your exact situation is what is going to really happen is you won't have to get another upgrade.

Judas · Oct 5, 2007, 05:24 PM

i guess we'll find out here shortly

PangingJr · Oct 5, 2007, 10:53 PM

how shortly?

Judas · Oct 6, 2007, 12:17 AM

Roughly in about a week or 2... depend on when the user gets back from the oil fields and bring the computer in for the service job

PangingJr · Oct 6, 2007, 12:31 AM

if i have a chance to talk to the people of Microsoft i will remember to ask this question (if i'm not forget it, lol)

Judas · Oct 6, 2007, 01:00 AM

thank you

PangingJr · Oct 8, 2007, 01:28 PM

Judas, sorry that i cannot complete the answer, but, some of the questions have been answered, visit this page so you can continue your question...

Windows Vista Community: Discussion Groups

Google Groups version...
retail Home Premium 32-bit to Ultimate 32-bit to Ultimate 64-bit. - microsoft.public.windows.vista.installation_setup | Google Groups

Judas · Oct 8, 2007, 07:00 PM

thanks pangingjr...... getting faster responces through that first link then email...

PangingJr · Oct 9, 2007, 08:34 AM

not a problem Judas, unlike the email message you sent, i just thought, since these people must have seen the kinds of questions before, but those answers are not actully from Microsoft people i just wish there will be a good and more complete answers from those people come out soon. i do like to know and understand about this too.

PangingJr · Oct 14, 2007, 02:30 PM

Judas, any answers from Microsoft yet?

Judas · Oct 14, 2007, 07:27 PM

none at all.. sending another email...

Dyre Straits · Oct 14, 2007, 10:42 PM

Hey, guys! I'd like to pose a question along the same lines as what Judas is asking.

Per the 'official' responses on the MS Forums, an OEM version is strictly tied to the first system configuration it's installed on. In essence, if 'anything' gets changed, the OEM License is no longer valid.

Now, I'm seeing where some users are, indeed, using OEM versions and not being so stricly restricted in this way. So, my question:

Just how strict is the license, and, can it actually be activated repeatedly when the configuration changes?

The version I'm personally interested in is the OEM Home Premium 32 bit.

Appreciate any responses.

Thanks!

PangingJr · Oct 15, 2007, 05:37 AM

Dyre, read this...
Windows Vista: Activating Windows Vista

now, i don't know, they don't say anything about the OEM /OEI DVD version of the Vista you are considering to buy. but it does not mean most of the info that can be found there won't apply to the OEM /OEI DVD version.

Personally, i don't have any problem regrading to hardware changes and to reactivate Vista about so many times of my 5 copies of the OEM /OEI DVD version of Vista 32-bit.
but i can’t guarantee you that you will get the same. so if i have to suggest you, get the full retail of the Home Premium 32-bit, you can then move to the x64 of Vista Home Premium at any time you wise.

Dyre Straits · Oct 15, 2007, 07:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PangingJr

Dyre, read this...
Windows Vista: Activating Windows Vista

now, i don't know, they don't say anything about the OEM /OEI DVD version of the Vista you are considering to buy. but it does not mean most of the info that can be found there won't apply to the OEM /OEI DVD version.

Personally, i don't have any problem regrading to hardware changes and to reactivate Vista about so many times of my 5 copies of the OEM /OEI DVD version of Vista 32-bit.
but i can’t guarantee you that you will get the same. so if i have to suggest you, get the full retail of the Home Premium 32-bit, you can then move to the x64 of Vista Home Premium at any time you wise.

Thank you.

(Just don't say, "NP"

)

Anyway, I've gone ahead and purchased the OEM 32 BIT version for now. If I really, really like it, I'll get something else later on.

For now, I feel I really needed to have a version of Vista on my system for many various reasons.

Also, what I've done is put Vista on a totally newly formatted HDD. I've kept XP Pro on a separate HDD and simply reset which one boots in BIOS.

I was quite impressed that from the time I booted to the DVD until I got the first glimpse of the Vista Desktop only took about 18 minutes!

I've spent the rest of the time doing updates and getting other things settled.

PangingJr · Oct 15, 2007, 07:04 AM

the 64-bit editions are available for all editions of Vista (except Vista Starter)... Ultimate edition gets both 32-bit and 64-bit with the purchase of retail boxed product,
the lesser editions of Vista offers the Vista Alternate Media, the 64-bit DVD, which can be ordered from Microsoft.

OEM /OEI DVD version of any editions of Vista is either 32-bit or 64-bit media's

so, just to extend my above a bit, except i cannot move to x64 of Vista without having to buy a new product key and/or a new OEM /OEI DVD version of the 64-bit edition of the Vista Home Premium, so besides that i don't have any problem whatsoever regrading to hardware changes and to reactivate Vista.

ahh lol no problem man.

Dyre Straits · Oct 15, 2007, 07:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PangingJr

the 64-bit editions are available for all editions of Vista (except Vista Starter)... Ultimate edition gets both 32-bit and 64-bit with the purchase of retail boxed product,
the lesser editions of Vista offers the Vista Alternate Media, the 64-bit DVD, which can be ordered from Microsoft.

OEM /OEI DVD version of any editions of Vista is either 32-bit or 64-bit media's

so, just to extend my above a bit, except i cannot move to x64 of Vista without having to buy a new product key and/or a new OEM /OEI DVD version of the 64-bit edition of the Vista Home Premium, so besides that i don't have any problem whatsoever regrading to hardware changes and to reactivate Vista.

ahh lol no problem man.

You just HAD to go and do it!!! LORL!

PangingJr · Oct 15, 2007, 07:11 AM

edit my above a bit more...

OEM /OEI DVD version of any editions of Vista is either 32-bit or 64-bit media's and the licences are only apply to either 32-bit or 64-bit, as far as i know.

Dyre Straits · Oct 15, 2007, 07:16 AM

Yeah, I found that out about the licensing and the limitations re: 32 vs. 64 bit.

I'll likely soon find out if activation can be done easily after some drastic hardware changes.

PangingJr · Oct 20, 2007, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Judas

none at all.. sending another email...

once you find out from Microsoft, don't keep it as secret, ok Judas?

Judas · Oct 20, 2007, 07:30 PM

i phoned MS directly.. was on the phone for nearly an hour...

This is what i was told (and i asked several times to confirm)

IF you have the following

if you had purchased a RETAIL copy of windows vista in ANY flavor (basic or business or whatever).
In either a 64bit or 32bit version.

You can flip over to either the opposite BIT version without having to buy a new CD Key. However if the cd key doesn't work for that bit version, you can phone in to get a key automatically generated for FREE as long as you have your orginal CD Key available to verify.

IF you have installed any version of windows vista in any BIT version, and then used the upgrade anytime to any other version.. including ultimate. According to the person on the phone, you should have received either a new cd key or should be able to use the orginal cd key.

If you wipe the system after doing an upgrade anytime to any version.... you can manually select your upgraded version and put the new or old cd key in without any hassle. Allowing you to install straight away. Even if you wish to swap to a different BIT version.

i'll later be confirming this.. may be a few weeks yet... delays here

PangingJr · Oct 23, 2007, 09:09 AM

thanks for the update Judas. please update it again.

Oct 3, 2007, 07:15 PM	#2
ChaosMinionX USB 3 dot oh Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 1,911 Rep Power: 47 System Specs	As far as I know it should be able to go right to Vista Ultimate. If not you should be able to go from Home Premium to Ultimate again via the upgrade package you got from the website. And dont worry about it denying your activation, I currently use my OEM Vista Ultimate x64 on 3 different computers, all of which are activated. Especially when its a completely new computer, they wont have any problem. EDIT: After rereading your post, just use Ultimate x64 DVD that you have, its the best vista, and its possible as long as your new system has a 64bit chip in it Assuming that answers the question at hand, if not lemme know __________________ ::Heatware:: How you can help DriverHeaven by using Digg!

Oct 3, 2007, 07:20 PM	#3
PangingJr Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 5,989 Rep Power: 71	i have no idea, but i don't think it needs to be worried about, if i am in that situation i would install the x64 edition, then try to activate it online, and then if not possible, i would simply use the toll-free number and tell the agent what's actually going on and what's changed, and ask him what do i have to do to activate my copy of Windows.

Oct 3, 2007, 09:15 PM	#6
PangingJr Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 5,989 Rep Power: 71	you probably don't need to talk to any agent at all if the activate by phone method worked, otherwise, just tell the agent when he's on the phone the truth... i just changed the system board... i just upgraded firmware on my DVD drive, then after i rebooted the Windows requires to be reactivated... i was testing a disk imaging tool and i just get the reactivation notices. i found you can just tell them the truth, they have made the reactivation process very simple. but, who knows, the situation can be different.

Oct 4, 2007, 07:16 PM	#7
EcPercy HardwareHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Iraq Posts: 1,535 Rep Power: 0	Activating over the phone is painless. Some people make a huge deal over it, but I have had to call before and it took like 5-8 minutes total. They really didn't ask much. Just why I was re-activating. After that they gave me the numbers to get it activated again.

Oct 5, 2007, 07:48 AM	#9
PangingJr Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 5,989 Rep Power: 71	you have been reading the Windows Anytime Upgrade FAQ's? reading that, is a bit confuse me too much alright. it's sound like you are going to have to purchase a new upgrade, or new product key again? i don't know, but what is my prediction based on your exact situation is what is going to really happen is you won't have to get another upgrade.

Oct 5, 2007, 10:53 PM	#11
PangingJr Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 5,989 Rep Power: 71	how shortly?

Oct 6, 2007, 12:31 AM	#13
PangingJr Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 5,989 Rep Power: 71	if i have a chance to talk to the people of Microsoft i will remember to ask this question (if i'm not forget it, lol)

Oct 8, 2007, 01:28 PM	#15
PangingJr Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 5,989 Rep Power: 71	Judas, sorry that i cannot complete the answer, but, some of the questions have been answered, visit this page so you can continue your question... Windows Vista Community: Discussion Groups Google Groups version... retail Home Premium 32-bit to Ultimate 32-bit to Ultimate 64-bit. - microsoft.public.windows.vista.installation_setup \| Google Groups

Oct 9, 2007, 08:34 AM	#17
PangingJr Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 5,989 Rep Power: 71	not a problem Judas, unlike the email message you sent, i just thought, since these people must have seen the kinds of questions before, but those answers are not actully from Microsoft people i just wish there will be a good and more complete answers from those people come out soon. i do like to know and understand about this too.

Oct 14, 2007, 02:30 PM	#18
PangingJr Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 5,989 Rep Power: 71	Judas, any answers from Microsoft yet?

Oct 15, 2007, 05:37 AM	#21
PangingJr Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 5,989 Rep Power: 71	Dyre, read this... Windows Vista: Activating Windows Vista now, i don't know, they don't say anything about the OEM /OEI DVD version of the Vista you are considering to buy. but it does not mean most of the info that can be found there won't apply to the OEM /OEI DVD version. Personally, i don't have any problem regrading to hardware changes and to reactivate Vista about so many times of my 5 copies of the OEM /OEI DVD version of Vista 32-bit. but i can’t guarantee you that you will get the same. so if i have to suggest you, get the full retail of the Home Premium 32-bit, you can then move to the x64 of Vista Home Premium at any time you wise.

Oct 15, 2007, 07:04 AM	#23
PangingJr Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 5,989 Rep Power: 71	the 64-bit editions are available for all editions of Vista (except Vista Starter)... Ultimate edition gets both 32-bit and 64-bit with the purchase of retail boxed product, the lesser editions of Vista offers the Vista Alternate Media, the 64-bit DVD, which can be ordered from Microsoft. OEM /OEI DVD version of any editions of Vista is either 32-bit or 64-bit media's so, just to extend my above a bit, except i cannot move to x64 of Vista without having to buy a new product key and/or a new OEM /OEI DVD version of the 64-bit edition of the Vista Home Premium, so besides that i don't have any problem whatsoever regrading to hardware changes and to reactivate Vista. ahh lol no problem man.

Oct 15, 2007, 07:11 AM	#25
PangingJr Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 5,989 Rep Power: 71	edit my above a bit more... OEM /OEI DVD version of any editions of Vista is either 32-bit or 64-bit media's and the licences are only apply to either 32-bit or 64-bit, as far as i know.

Oct 23, 2007, 09:09 AM	#29
PangingJr Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 5,989 Rep Power: 71	thanks for the update Judas. please update it again.