No More Clean Installs Using Upgrade Discs With Windows Vista

[Bluvertigo]

When it comes to the Windows Vista, Microsoft is changing a long-standing tradition when it comes to upgrading from a previous version of Windows. No longer will popping in a disc of a previous version of Windows during setup satisfy the people in Redmond when using an upgrade CD.

For example, when performing a clean install of Windows XP Professional using an upgrade CD, users would run through the normal setup routine until prompted to insert a previous version of Windows. A user could pop in a Windows 98 or Windows 2000 CD for upgrade compliance and then the setup routine would move along as usual.

Microsoft has cut out this process for Windows Vista and forces users who buy an upgrade CD to actually have a valid install of Windows XP Home or Professional on their machines before upgrading.

For most users, this wouldn't be a problem. They more than likely have an existing copy of Windows XP installed and would have no problems upgrading to Windows Vista with an upgrade CD.

But for do-it-yourselfers who buy a Vista upgrade CD and think that they can easily perform a clean install whenever they feel free are going to run into the road block. In this case, the road block means that users wanting to perform a clean install with a Vista upgrade CD will have to:

1) Install a genuine copy of Windows XP Home/Professional
2) Activate Windows XP through Microsoft
3) Upgrade to Windows Vista from within Windows XP

So if you plan on saving money by using a Vista upgrade CD instead of purchasing a full copy, be aware that you’re have a few extra steps involved before booting to the Vista desktop for the first time. If you don’t want to deal with the hassle, you’re going to have to pony up for a full copy of Vista.

Article:
http://www.dailytech.com/No+More+Clean+Installs+Using+Upgrade+Discs+With+Wi ndows+Vista/article5887.htm

Source: Daily Tech

[Mindcore]

Well that doesn't make sense then. According to another post from you, Windows Vista will invalidate my XP key. So if I need to reformat at a later date, I won't be able to install XP, validate it, and then run the Vista upgrade again. I'd like to know Microsoft's stance on that!

Things like this are making my decision much more easier to stick with XP for the time being.

[Dr.Dan]

As I was reading this, I as thinking the same thing as Mindcore.

So as it reads right now, you can only use your upgrade once... then you're screwed.
If you need to format, you'll have to go out and buy a new full copy of Vista.

Yeah RIGHT!! Like that's gonna happen.

I think M$ has shot themselves in the foot again... but this time they used a canon :eek:

[MOOGLY]

I have not seen it from MS themselves but I have read alot of people mention that it is bound to the motherboard too so you can not swap out later when you want to upgrade your board cpu ram etc you have to buy a new version of Vista again.

Can anyone confirm that as well? Maybe just the OEM version?

[Bluvertigo]

Well that doesn't make sense then. According to another post from you, Windows Vista will invalidate my XP key. So if I need to reformat at a later date, I won't be able to install XP, validate it, and then run the Vista upgrade again. I'd like to know Microsoft's stance on that!

Things like this are making my decision much more easier to stick with XP for the time being.

This is what is stated in:

Windows Vista END-USER LICENSE AGREEMENT (EULA)

13. UPGRADES. To use upgrade software, you must first be licensed for the software that is eligible for the upgrade. Upon upgrade, this agreement takes the place of the agreement for the software you upgraded from. After you upgrade, you may no longer use the software you upgraded from.

Complete END-USER LICENSE AGREEMENT can be obtained here:
http://download.microsoft.com/documents/useterms/Windows%20Vista_Home%20Premium_English_d16c019b-fa71-4fc9-a51d-a0621bddb153.pdf

License Terms for Software Licensed from Microsoft
http://www.microsoft.com/about/legal/useterms/default.aspx

[Mr. Apollo]

I have not seen it from MS themselves but I have read alot of people mention that it is bound to the motherboard too so you can not swap out later when you want to upgrade your board cpu ram etc you have to buy a new version of Vista again.

Can anyone confirm that as well? Maybe just the OEM version?Vista assigns itself to your hardware but if you do an upgrade you just need to reactivate it. OEM versions will only work with the OEM motherboard.

[Deb]

I think M$ has shot themselves in the foot again... but this time they used a canon :eek:
The Zune shot to the left foot left them off balance so they had to even it out, hence the big vista hole in the right :hst:

I will not lead my customers to the MS vista slaughter house, I have a conscience...

[Dr.Dan]

LoL Deb... well worded :eri:

I too won't let clients upgrade to Vista for no good reason...
...and as far as I'm concerned, there is NO good reasons :d

[Deb]

OH, and just in case you were hoping to order up a side of Office 2007, get this, they have to pay extra for the friggin cd!!:

Subject: Microsoft Office 2007 OEM Clarification
Importance: High



With the release of Office 2007, Microsoft has changed the way in which the product is sold and installed under the OEM program. Note that this does not affect the Retail Box/FPP versions of the software.

The Office 2007 OEM product itself does not come with a CD or media in the box. Resellers are required to purchase an OPK kit (39915F - English, 39971F - French) in order to install the software onto a machine, but they are not to purchase a OPK kit for every machine they sell. Each reseller should only have one (1) OPK kit per location. This OPK kit installs all the versions of office that are available under OEM, Basic to Pro. When the software is installed form the OPK kit the end user is given a 30 day trial of the software. After the 30 day period the end user will have to go back to the reseller and purchase the appropriate version they want and the reseller will provide them an OEM kit (MLK), that contains only a license key and certificate. If the customer wishes to acquire media they will have to purchase this directly from Microsoft World Wide Fulfillment.

We should make sure that our customers understand that they should be purchasing the OPK kits NOW as they can get them for a nominal fee ($9-$10), but in March will increase to over $200.00 per kit.

I hope this clears up any confusion on the Office product under OEM.

If there are any further questions please let me know.

Thanks
Derek Hawrylak
Microsoft Channel Manager

[Tim]

they must be stopped.

[dbusguy]

This is very interesting.
If this is true, and the writing says it is, then I don't think I'll be spending any money on a one-time-only OS.
Think I'll stay with XP.

[Dr.Dan]

They have tried pretty hard to 'convert' XP to a "one time only OS"... so this shouldn't surprise anyone.

TBS, this is just one of many reasons EVERYONE should boycott M$ products.

We have to get the message through to M$... STOP THE BS !!! :nnk:

[reiver]

Glad I started saving for a Mac for my next upgrade...

[smirnoff]

they must be stopped.


No need to worry there doing it all on there own.

[Dr.Dan]

No need to worry there doing it all on there own.
Well lets help them out..

Tell all the unsuspecting nOObs that don't know any better NOT to fall for the trap :)

[Nuke]

I think you guys are looking at this the wrong way. Microsoft is not going to say "if you have problems and have to format you have to re-purchase the O/S". Not going to happen, obviously.

"13. UPGRADES. To use upgrade software, you must first be licensed for the software that is eligible for the upgrade. Upon upgrade, this agreement takes the place of the agreement for the software you upgraded from. After you upgrade, you may no longer use the software you upgraded from."

This is saying that you can no longer legally use Windows XP once you upgrade to Windows Vista. Why? They probably don't want people having two full versions of O/S when they paid a lower price to upgrade their current installation to the latest version. AFAIK that has always been their goal with the cheaper upgrade versions.

I believe it has already been confirmed, as expected, that the key is not physically de-activated when you upgrade to Vista. Don't remember where I saw that this was confirmed. If it was deactivated then the problem that you have been discussing arises, and that's not going to happen. Let's pretend that no one has confirmed this yet, though. It doesn't make sense to jump to the conclusion that you need to buy an O/S every time you need to reinstall Windows just because they say that you need to install the previous O/S to upgrade (very annoying, I admit) and they say that you aren't allowed to ("may not") keep using the version of Windows that you upgraded once you install the newer one (Vista).

By "deactivate" I am referring to not being able to install Windows.

[jovin]

"Microsoft Channel Manager"

AKA, Microsoft No-Speak-The-Eengleesh Manager. Too funny; these folks cannot be taken seriously with these kinds of moronic monikers.

Maybe he thinks he's directing marine traffic across the English Channel or perhaps works for CTV without knowing it.

[smirnoff]

Well lets help them out..

Tell all the unsuspecting nOObs that don't know any better NOT to fall for the trap :)

Fortunaly they clue in fairly quick when it mentioned and i suddenly look like iam having a seizure...lol.

[Dr.Dan]

LoL... at least I'd hope they got the hint from that smirnoff :ggl:

[MOOGLY]

I believe it has already been confirmed, as expected, that the key is not physically de-activated when you upgrade to Vista. Don't remember where I saw that this was confirmed. If it was deactivated then the problem that you have been discussing arises, and that's not going to happen. Let's pretend that no one has confirmed this yet, though. It doesn't make sense to jump to the conclusion that you need to buy an O/S every time you need to reinstall Windows just because they say that you need to install the previous O/S to upgrade (very annoying, I admit) and they say that you aren't allowed to ("may not") keep using the version of Windows that you upgraded once you install the newer one (Vista).


Maybe not but you can no longer update it from Windows update as your key will be invalid.

[frostyone]

If you're running XP you agreed to the identical terms.

Here's the XP EULA:

UPGRADES. To use Software identified as an upgrade, you must first be licensed for the software identified by Microsoft as eligible for the upgrade. After upgrading, you may no longer use the software that formed the basis for your upgrade eligibility.
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/sp2/proeula.mspx

Same boilerplate for XP and Vista.

[Tim]

well it makes sense that you can't use XP at the same time, particularly on another machine.

[AMD]

Product activation was pretty bad, but this just crosses the line, unless the goal is to increase piracy.

MS office has got to be one of the most pirated programs out there - by a long shot.

[DreamLord34]

Neowin has posted a workaround for doing a clean install of Vista Upgrade. I personally will doubt I'll be going to Vista 'till Summer, if then. Heck, I didn't go to XP until 2003.

http://www.neowin.net/index.php?act=view&id=37711
DailyTech has posted a 7-step workaround courtesy of Paul Thurrott (via Microsoft internal documents) on how to perform a clean install with a Windows Vista Upgrade DVD. Per Microsoft's new licensing requirements for Vista, users are required to install a Windows Vista Upgrade from within Windows XP and to make matters worse, the Windows XP license is forfeited. The process may be tedious, but few will argue when they compare the price differences between the upgrade and retail versions. Here we go:

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.
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.

DailyTech (http://www.dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=5932)

I haven't tried this myself yet but thought I would post it anyways.