Clean install from "upgrade" disc?

pyroguy_3

New Member
I'm in the middle of building a new rig, so it will have no operating system on it. I went to my university's computer shop to get a student discount on Vista. The guy brought out the "Windows Vista Home Premium" box, and said it was $86. Good price. However, I didn't happen to see the box on the front (in bright red) that said "Upgrade, For users running Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional, Windows XP, or Windows Vista only. etc and so forth." My question is, will this disc put Vista on my machine, with no previous OS? Or, should I take it back? Thanks for any ideas,

Andrew
 
No, if you install Windows XP and then put that disc in, it will upgrade to vista. Otherwise take it back and get the Full Version.
 
you can do it, but it would technically be illegal unless you own a legit copy of the right version of xp XP

when installing vista enter NO cd key and choose THE RIGHT VERSION
then it will install the (30 day?) trial.

then go through activation and it will give you an option to enter/change your product key - enter your upgrade one there
 
Well, on a side-note...

I've never done a Vista Upgrade, but if it's anything like XP (and I would imagine it would be) you may find this useful...

The XP Upgrade install process doesn't care if you have a previous version installed on your system, it just wants to make sure you're in possession of a valid Windows Install disc, be it OEM, Retail, or Recovery CD for those with pre-built systems they upgraded, then formatted/Upgrade Install. If you try installing the Upgrade version to a blank HDD, it will prompt you to validate you are in fact in possession of a valid previous version Install Disc by placing it into the CD drive to verify. After verification is done, pop the Upgrade CD back in and you're good to go. Again, at least on XP, though one would think Vista would be the same.

So...take that info however you see fit.
 
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Okay, so I have a copy of XP that came with my HP laptop. Am I allowed to have it installed on multiple computers at the same time? Would it really matter since I'm upgrading to Vista?

jdbennet: So you think I can get the trial version, burn it to a dvd maybe?, and then do the upgrade from that?

I'm going to swing by the store tomorrow, so I'll see what they have to say about it. Thanks for all the ideas.
 
no, ismati, vista upgrade is not like xp, you have to physicaly run it from within an activated xp install.

and also

when installing vista enter NO cd key and choose THE RIGHT VERSION
then it will install the (30 day?) trial.

then go through activation and it will give you an option to enter/change your product key - enter your upgrade one there

ive only tried that with server 2008 before - going from 3 month trial to the real one, but should work for vista upgrade?


I have a copy of XP that came with my HP laptop. Am I allowed to have it installed on multiple computers at the same time? Would it really matter since I'm upgrading to Vista?

It woule be illegal, plus activation woiuld fail. Vista requires that the copy you are upgrading from is WGA certified and activated.
 
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no, ismati, vista upgrade is not like xp, you have to physicaly run it from within an activated xp install.

I stand corrected, then. Looks like MS finally caught on to a 'glitch' and fixed it:)
 
Nope Vista will not just let you use a Disk to prove you have a valid copy. Like said just dont put your Pin number in the first time, it installs as a demo. Then put the pin in when you try to activate it or just boot back to the disk and this time around put the pin number in. Then just delete the old folder.
 
Just got back from the store, and yeah you need some sort of O.S. on the HDD to use what I had bought. However, if I wanted to I could get the Vista Ultimate which allows a clean install. "Well, how much is that?" It's only $10 more.... MoFo,MoFo!, I thought in my head. So the morals of the story are to not let people who don't know anything about computers, work in the computer store, and pay attention to whatever the under qualified worker gives you. Thanks for all the help, again.
 
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