Vista 32-bit DVD
- Thread starter Mez
- Start date
Yes you can install a upgrade Vista without the product key as a demo, then add the key to activate. Bingo. Dont know if its considered under handed. But Microsoft does leave the door open to do it.
I won't touch that one thank you! 
With Windows and activation now since SP2 you can reinstall XP or Vista countless times and see activation online in an instant. When reinstalling both versions here between swapping drives around and out plus beta testing a new tool for protecting Vista's restore points when dual booting with XP everything went fast.
In other words only one call had to made to MS when the first board quit and was replaced on the current build. But other then that simply enter the product key and get that done with.
Vista without the glory of the Aero style themes and lame sidebar that simply sticks out in your face actually reaches the desktop faster then XP. When going to shut the system down that's when you see a bit of a drag due to some of the additional along with new features MS tossed in. XP is less involved there like 95 was to 98 when shutting down.
With Windows and activation now since SP2 you can reinstall XP or Vista countless times and see activation online in an instant. When reinstalling both versions here between swapping drives around and out plus beta testing a new tool for protecting Vista's restore points when dual booting with XP everything went fast.
In other words only one call had to made to MS when the first board quit and was replaced on the current build. But other then that simply enter the product key and get that done with.
Vista without the glory of the Aero style themes and lame sidebar that simply sticks out in your face actually reaches the desktop faster then XP. When going to shut the system down that's when you see a bit of a drag due to some of the additional along with new features MS tossed in. XP is less involved there like 95 was to 98 when shutting down.
Dont know why you had to call unless its a OEM copy. I have had 3 different boards, the same one 2 different times. 4 different processors and 3 different Video cards and its activated every time without calling. Never had a problem with retail. And have done that with many copies. OEM are more connected with the motherboard. But even then if you swaped out with the same board you should not have a problem.
Edit Plus 3 different harddrives
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You already know why!
The "this is likely a counterfeit copy of Windows" message appeared on the corner of the screen once the replacement board(exact same model) was in and the system was started. Simply to save time at the moment while XP was to see a quick reinstall I made a call.
As far as the disk that is an oem bought when the supplier was out of Ultimate in a moment's notice and only had Home Premium at the time. The first day Vista was available was a mad zoo to get the Ultimate edition and no vendors had enough copied onhand. Well $119- is a lot less then the $180 paid for the retail edition of 98SE a good number of years back.
The "this is likely a counterfeit copy of Windows" message appeared on the corner of the screen once the replacement board(exact same model) was in and the system was started. Simply to save time at the moment while XP was to see a quick reinstall I made a call.
As far as the disk that is an oem bought when the supplier was out of Ultimate in a moment's notice and only had Home Premium at the time. The first day Vista was available was a mad zoo to get the Ultimate edition and no vendors had enough copied onhand. Well $119- is a lot less then the $180 paid for the retail edition of 98SE a good number of years back.
jdbennet
New Member
all my os's are OEM.
only ones i actually own are 98SE and NT4 Server lol.
if they dont activate then meh, i just bring ms up
with OEM versions ms dont reeally seem to care so long as you explain that the HW failed and the system builder replaced it.
I always have bloody trouble activating office though. Student 2003 can be installed on up to 3 computers under the EULA, and i then sent away for an MS special offer to get ms access for like $5 essentially turning it into pro. But access activates seperately, and so ms say oh no its installed on more than one, at which point i tell them that the damn disk has no eula on it but says "step-up software, use only with a valid licence for office 2003 student" , imlying it was licenced under the same terms.
Took me ages to get office activated so i hateb reinstalling it.
only ones i actually own are 98SE and NT4 Server lol.
if they dont activate then meh, i just bring ms up
with OEM versions ms dont reeally seem to care so long as you explain that the HW failed and the system builder replaced it.
I always have bloody trouble activating office though. Student 2003 can be installed on up to 3 computers under the EULA, and i then sent away for an MS special offer to get ms access for like $5 essentially turning it into pro. But access activates seperately, and so ms say oh no its installed on more than one, at which point i tell them that the damn disk has no eula on it but says "step-up software, use only with a valid licence for office 2003 student" , imlying it was licenced under the same terms.
Took me ages to get office activated so i hateb reinstalling it.
The versions used here are mainly the stand alone desktop versions for the most part with both XP and Vista having been bought OEM. Yet I still keep the retail versions of MS Dos 6.22, Windows 3.1, 95(upgrade there), and 98SE onhand mostly for a collection until eventually running into another dinosaur that needs an OS. 
Both XP(Home + Pro alike) and now Vista were bought OEM simply for each intended build there. XP Home is now only a second OS for prebeta testing a new tool for Vista.
The thing to note now however is the need for a dvd drive is virtually a mandate for any new system or build with Vista now on dvd and no doubt Windows 7 likely being even slightly larger with some more new "bells + whistles" sold as eye candy for that version. MS will want to fill the new large capcity drives now seen as well as use more memory with larger maximums there too.
Both XP(Home + Pro alike) and now Vista were bought OEM simply for each intended build there. XP Home is now only a second OS for prebeta testing a new tool for Vista.
The thing to note now however is the need for a dvd drive is virtually a mandate for any new system or build with Vista now on dvd and no doubt Windows 7 likely being even slightly larger with some more new "bells + whistles" sold as eye candy for that version. MS will want to fill the new large capcity drives now seen as well as use more memory with larger maximums there too.
For a cd set that would likely be seen in the retail not OEM packaging for the most part there. I'm sure MS took that into consideration for the initial release of the new version.
It's far less complicated simply tossing in a good dvd drive however since the prices on optical drives has fallen sharply over the last several years. You once paid out $100 even up closer to $200 when the dvd drives especially burners were first out. 1x, 2x, etc. Now you see 20x for under $30US.
It's far less complicated simply tossing in a good dvd drive however since the prices on optical drives has fallen sharply over the last several years. You once paid out $100 even up closer to $200 when the dvd drives especially burners were first out. 1x, 2x, etc. Now you see 20x for under $30US.