Results 1 to 4 of 4

Thread: upgrade from Windows XP Pro 2 Windows Vista Ultimate?

  1. #1
    Banned
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    /
    Posts
    385

    upgrade from Windows XP Pro 2 Windows Vista Ultimate?

    G'Day, long time no post anyhooow

    - I have a brand new box that I won't be upgrading for a while hardware wise.
    - It has a retail version of Windows XP Pro on it.
    - I want to upgrade it to Vista Ultimate and don't want to reformat and reinstall.

    So am I right in saying that if I get a Vista Ultimate OEM that would be the cheapest way to get to Vista? And that there are no issues with using the OEM to upgrade the XP Pro install?

    cheers

  2. #2
    Senior Member nihil's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2003
    Location
    United Kingdom: Bridlington
    Posts
    17,188
    I haven't tried it mate................best call your local Microsoft office.

    My take would be that as it is a new computer, you can legally use an OEM version, but I strongly suspect that you will have problems when it detects the existing OS.

    The cheapest solution would be the upgrade, but then you forfeit the right to use XP Pro...................which you say is a retail version?

    I would just format the drive and do a clean OEM install of Vista.

    I know there is at least one of "workaround" but they are all illegal. If you are going to pay for the stuff, at least make sure that you are as pure as the driven snow when it comes to the next Microsoft DRM balls up ............ and it will..........just like the CMOS battery one with XP

    You haven't given any details, but I would seriously question if you have a true retail version of XP Pro............ mostly you get OEM or a castrated version of that if it is a brand name box?

  3. #3
    Antionline Herpetologist
    Join Date
    Aug 2001
    Posts
    1,165
    I'd say going for the upgrade version would be the cheapest. As far as your Windows XP Professional goes, an in-place upgrade should be easy, if not always the best way. However, just remember that with an upgrade disc, a system crash (such as a hard disk failure) will mean that you cannot easily install Vista on a clean system (i.e., on a hard disk with no pre-existing OS). There are workarounds available, but you'd have to install Vista twice Look around for the workaround if you're truly interested.

    Cheers,
    cgkanchi
    Buy the Snakes of India book, support research and education (sorry the website has been discontinued)
    My blog: http://biology000.blogspot.com

  4. #4
    AO übergeek phishphreek's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2002
    Posts
    4,325
    The upgrade would be the cheapest way to go. However, there are reports that once you do upgrade to vista, the installer invalidates your XP key.

    So, you won't be able to use your XP license. If you wanted to run XP in a virtual machine on top of vista, you'd need to purchase a license for XP.

    The method Nihil is talking about is a way to install the upgrade version without having an OS on the hard drive to start. It basically is a way to turn the upgrade version into a retail version. It just so happens that that specific work around does not invalidate your XP key, so if you wanted to use XP in a virtual session for stubborn incompatible apps... you can do so.

    Legally though... I suppose the full version would be the way to go.

    Although... I know I would be tempted to use the upgrade version with the workaround. According to m$, this is a violation of the license agreement. Not sure how microsoft would track that down since you're not really cracking anything... you're simply not following the install instructions and installing twice. I'm not a lawyer and I didn't read the license agreement.
    Last edited by phishphreek; February 2nd, 2007 at 01:32 PM.
    Quitmzilla is a firefox extension that gives you stats on how long you have quit smoking, how much money you\'ve saved, how much you haven\'t smoked and recent milestones. Very helpful for people who quit smoking and used to smoke at their computers... Helps out with the urges.

Similar Threads

  1. Cracking Windows Vista Beta 2 Local Passwords (SAM and SYSKEY)
    By Irongeek in forum The Security Tutorials Forum
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: September 12th, 2006, 06:17 AM
  2. May 06 security patches
    By mohaughn in forum Microsoft Security Discussions
    Replies: 9
    Last Post: May 13th, 2006, 10:17 PM
  3. Copying updates
    By Cider in forum Operating Systems
    Replies: 10
    Last Post: March 21st, 2006, 09:30 PM
  4. Windows 98 Tips
    By Nokia in forum Tips and Tricks
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: June 22nd, 2004, 12:21 AM
  5. Playing with Windows
    By gizmofreak in forum AntiOnline's General Chit Chat
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: December 7th, 2003, 06:43 PM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •