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- ArcCoyote, on 10/12/2007, -1/+61Yup. Vista will "in-place upgrade" a trial install of Vista.
Here's another fun fact: When that 30-day trial is about to run out, you can open an admin shell and do a "slmgr -rearm" to get another 30 days. You can reset the timer 3 times to get a total of 120 days to purchase a license and activate. Once that's up, you can do the "in-place upgrade" and skip entering the key again for a new 30 day trial and ANOTHER 3 rearms!
You never have to activate, as long as you don't mind a little downtime every 120 days. Oh, and there more ways to reset things...
These workarounds are easy, intentional, and documented for MS tech support. Vista could have required the old OS product key during setup/activation, just to make sure the upgrade is genuine. Sheesh, even some $20 shareware does that! Honestly, I get the feeling the upgrade is all MS really expects to sell at retail. The Best Buy near me had tons of upgrades but maybe THREE full copies. Given these tricks, academic editions, and OEM licensing... I'm convinced the "Full Versions" exist only to drain the wallets of the clueless. - simpleid, on 10/12/2007, -2/+51Actually, the full version of Vista Ultimate is ALREADY $200 if you know about newegg (Home Premium being $120ish, Business is around $150.) and don't mind buying it OEM.
:) - amandaw33, on 10/12/2007, -0/+45Now, however, 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:
1) Boot from the Windows Vista Upgrade DVD and start the setup program.
2) 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.
3) When prompted, select the edition of Vista which you have purchased and continue with setup.
4) 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.
5) This time, type in your product key when prompted.
6) 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.
7) 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. - weekender, on 10/12/2007, -9/+52WOOT!
This means I can go buy Vista Ultimate upgrade for $200 instead of the Full version at $400.
$400 is way overpriced anyway... - chiklit, on 10/12/2007, -1/+27I just clean-installed Vista Ultimate Upgrade on my computer and it didn't even ask for the XP disk. Plus when I called the Microsoft support they said that even if there wasn't an OS already on the computer that so long as I had an XP disk I could still install it.
http://www.digg.com/tech_news/From_Microsoft_Vista_Clean_Install_Still_Possible_with_XP_CD - SpacemanSpiff, on 10/12/2007, -4/+21So tell us, how's your lag in CS:S in Dreamlinux?
- sancho, on 10/12/2007, -0/+16Piracy is roughly equated with copyright infringement. The license of Vista only allows you to install/use it if you abide by their terms. Therefore, if the license is valid, installing/using outside of those terms triggers the "license terminated" clause of the license, making your use copyright infringement.
That said, I think we'll eventually see the courts rule that this is all bollucks. EULAs are an attempt to get the public to adhere to the same stipulations that corporations use with each other. It's absolutely absurd to need a lawyer to install or use a computer. - leobaby, on 10/12/2007, -2/+173) Tied to the motherboard it is first installed on.
3) Tied to the motherboard it is first installed on.
3) Tied to the motherboard it is first installed on.
3) Tied to the motherboard it is first installed on. - TonyCubed, on 10/12/2007, -5/+18Yeah, but Dreamlinux won't run your CS:S, so that whole argument is now invalid.
Anyways, It's not entirely Vista's fault the games are slow. Drivers need to be greatly improved. Look ATi's latest driver compared to last months update. - hyperfocal, on 10/12/2007, -0/+9There isn't an "OEM upgrade." OEM copies are supposed to be sold to system builders for installation on a new PC.
Upgrades are entirely designed for retail sale to computer owners. - inactive, on 10/12/2007, -1/+10@namco
supposedly it isn't
http://digg.com/software/Buying_OEM_versions_of_Windows_Vista_the_facts
The article basically says (thanks to kyjl)
1) OEM copies don't come in pretty boxes, nor do they include manuals.
2) Cannot be returned once opened.
3) Tied to the motherboard it is first installed on. Everything else is fair game.
4) You get either 32-bit OR 64-bit. You cannot get both on one DVD, unlike the retail version.
5) You're your own support. If it breaks, you gotta fix it yourself, unless you want to cough up for paid support. - vernsan, on 10/12/2007, -0/+9Thank you for the step by step, works like a charm!
- dasilva333, on 10/12/2007, -3/+10so a total of 240 days can be used with that trick? im sure by that time so fancy hacker would've come up with a solution
- ray901, on 10/12/2007, -0/+7there is a beneficiary
- LordSpam, on 10/12/2007, -0/+7Simpleid
The problem from what I've read is that if you buy an OEM copy of Vista and every change your hardware to the point that it needs to activate again you're stuck. It won't work. I went with the upgrade copy just in case my mobo dies or I feel like upgrading and don't want to buy Vista all over again. Maybe they'll fix this or already have, but the OEMs of Vista scare me right now. (not that Vista on a whole isn't a bit frightening) - chatmasta, on 10/12/2007, -1/+8I don't think microsoft cares how you install it provided you paid for it and don't sell your XP or anything.
- totorototoro, on 10/12/2007, -0/+7Of course, this DIGG article isn't about pirating an OS at all, but rather working around having to reinstall XP before doing a clean install of Vista (and inadvertently leaving a loophole to allow users to buy and install an upgrade version, not a full version of Vista, for that 5% of users who don't already have XP :p )
- nogami, on 10/12/2007, -2/+8"You must mean because there are much better FREE alternatives that you don't have to pirate?"
The only "much better" alternative that I know is OS-X, and it's not free (well, unless you buy a Mac).
If you're talking about Linux, it still fails my "acid test" for a fully mature operating system - namely that it must be able to be fully configured/installed/maintained without using a command prompt or text editor. - simpleid, on 10/12/2007, -5/+11Are you stupid? Did you just read that digg I saw earlier and believe it?
I get 120+fps -min- on CS:S alone (x1950pro). You didn't even TRY did you? I play HL2 Lost Coast and tried Far Cry so far as well, every thing's just fine. Certainly not "HORRIBLE."
Or maybe I subconsciously entered the secret password for better performance. In that case, I feel sorry for everyone who convinces themselves they're having problems. - Netmindstorm, on 10/12/2007, -3/+8Has anyone tried to create a dual boot XP-Vista(upgrade) system this way?
- BobbyOnions, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5If only the article had said that!
- diggsIt, on 10/12/2007, -1/+5Clean up and Defrag Windows? If the installer can't do the partitioning, use GParted and do it manually.
- dasilva333, on 10/12/2007, -1/+5there is a way
- ebob9, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4@Namco: I believe the problem is with the activation of the key. With XP, if you change hardware and need to reactivate, 99% of the time you have to end up calling Microsoft because the online activation will fail. When you call Microsoft, if your key is labeled as OEM, they won't let you easily reactivate (it can be done, but they *really* try and prevent it). With Retail Upgrade/Full, they just ask if the software is installed on more than one machine, and if you say 'no', they activate it for you with no hassle.
I think people are assuming that Vista will work the same way. - sancho, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4If you are in the trial period, can you still get Windows Updates?
Honestly, how long before the WGA check disallows trial versions? - Maasneotek, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3Well said nogami, I feel the same way. Also, all my games are on Windows so until I can play THEM without having to worry about what text file to edit, Ill stick with Windows. That doesn't mean I'm particularly HAPPY with MS, But i don't seem to have the resources to tweak each WINE profile to work with each game.
- Namco, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3External USB 2.0 hard drive enclosure (200GB) connected directly to the computer. (sdb) nothing else on it. I'm not touching my Windows disk. Will install the OS and boot loader to sdb. BIOS is set to boot USB first, so whenever that USB drive is switched on, I'll be bootin' Linux baby! ...if I ever get the damn thing installed.
SCSI Disk A is my SATA MP3 hard drive. - DeepDoo, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3why not just buy OEM and get that for the same price as the upgrade versions?
It is smarter to backup all your crap and format and re-install Vista instead of upgrading from XP anyways.
Sure it takes more time, but your PC will run better and be more stable. - SEMW, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2Really? I thought it was the latter: aren't the licences for the retail versions, whether full or upgrade, all essentially the same?
- UxPx, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2Ever heard of WGA?
- DeepDoo, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2In the end, I wont care since both business versions will likely be on my next action pack anyway.
- S1ngular1ty1, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2You CAN do a CLEAN INSTALL with a Vista UPGRADE disc without using this workaround. The only difference between installing XP and Vista is that with Vista you CAN NOT boot from an UPGRADE VERSION disc. However, you do have an option of a CLEAN INSTALL or IN PLACE UPGRADE with an upgrade version of Vista.
You must launch the Vista upgrade installer from inside a functioning windows OS in order to install it but, again, you can do either do a "Clean Install" or an "In Place Upgrade."
I've looked online and several people have confirmed exactly this.
http://www.winsupersite.com/reviews/winvista_5308_02.asp
http://www.winsupersite.com/images/showcase/vista_install_05.jpg
http://news.softpedia.com/news/Microsoft-Unveils-Plan-for-Windows-Vista-Upgrade-30525.shtml
http://blogs.chron.com/techblog/archives/2007/01/upgrade_or_clean_install_evolved_thinking.html
http://www.pcuser.com.au/pcuser/hs2.nsf/web/D4B3E602B1B4C190CA2572680075C948 - DiddyWolf, on 10/12/2007, -9/+11Wait, you mean we're supposed to pay money for microsoft's products? O.o
- Haohmaru, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2It would be easier and quicker to keep a base ghost image of XP on a DVD handy and reghost the machine before doing a clean install.
- Maasneotek, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2Yes the upgrade takes a while. The system is looking into each program you have installed and making sure it will work, (mainly will it work with vista or does it have to be run in 'compatibility mode'), Its a pain in the ass, if you are strapped for time. How was it though? Is there anything that DIDN'T work right? I would be interested to know.
- qbyte, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3Where there is a will...
- Synner, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2Again, from the OEM article -
"http://digg.com/software/Buying_OEM_versions_of_Windows_Vista_the_facts
1) OEM copies don't come in pretty boxes, nor do they include manuals."
Actually, the retail version doesn't come with a manual either.
"4) You get either 32-bit OR 64-bit. You cannot get both on one DVD, unlike the retail version."
I've seen this posted all over the place - take it from someone who HAS a retail version - you DO NOT get the 32 bit and 64 bit version - you only get the 32 bit version, and a piece of paper directing you to a webpage where you order the 64 bit install disc - the URL for which, by the way, is www.windowsvista.com/1033/ordermedia
I believe the Ultimate version includes the 32 and 64 bit installers, all other versions include 32 bit only (it's in REALLY small print on the bottom of the case!) - DuckFOO, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3Maybe it is just me but that is not what I would consider to be a clean install, because a format doesn't occur. To me, a clean install starts with a virgin filesystem.
- wbradney, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2@DeepDoo: TechNet has Ultimate ;-)
It's amusing how much trouble some people will go to to avoid spending a couple of hundred bucks to basically get 10 licences of everything MS makes. For the 6 or 7 computers I have here I can't begin to calculate the savings of the subscription over buying everything in individual licenses. But, then again, I'm a developer and consultant and I like to get paid for my work -- I don't see why Microsoft shouldn't get paid for theirs. - emehrkay, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1does the enterprise/corporate edition require activation? xp didnt
- Elranzer, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1I don't think Microsoft cares (using this upgrade hack, upgrading a pirated Win2000, or even pirating Vista altogether) as long as Vista gets on as many machines as possible.
- CoolWind, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1"Yeah but thats not the point. you could use your key to activate it but the second install is needed to do a "clean install" of vista."
Huh? You've started with a formatted drive, and you've clean installed Vista, but you won't be able to activate it unless you re-install it using the directions given. - inactive, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2You must mean because there are much better FREE alternatives that you don't have to pirate?
- GruntboyX, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1In fact...you should be able to enter your serial into the registry manually...and then just restore your product activation by going into c:windowssystem32 and looking for wpa.dbl and wpa.bak
At least that is what you did in windows xp...there should be no reason to do another install - cquinnd, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1" 4) You get either 32-bit OR 64-bit. You cannot get both on one DVD, unlike the retail version."
AFAIK the 32 and 64 bit versions each come on a seperate DVD. But I have not checked the retail packaging yet after launch. - cquinnd, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1I think you might be confusing OEM with upgrade, as some others have done in this thread.
- OddTSi, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1As far as I can tell from reading the EULA on MS' website there are no restrictions on transfers for the Upgrade version.
- Namco, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1OMGWTFROFLMAO go to that article and read the second comment. Same goes for you leobaby. Microsoft WILL let you install on a replacement motherboard.
- wolvyne, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1DOH! I knew that OEM versions where for system builders but I was hoping for an OEM upgrade as well. Guess I'll eventually just get the OEM Ultimate version then.
- leobaby, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1"This OEM software is intended for system builders only and cannot be transferred to another PC once it is installed. The purchaser of this software is required to comply with the terms of the System Builder license, including the responsibility of providing all end user support for the software."
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