Different VISTA install discs and different license-keys

[BonzaiDuck]

I'm in sort of a pinch for cash right now -- small change, but it's "end-of-the-month" and I'm trying to "keep discipline" as I finish my Z68 computer build.

I'm reasonably satisfied with VISTA-64 -- after the service packs. At the drop of a hat, I could -- if I wanted -- go online and order Win-7-64 "Professional" -- probably for about $140.

But the PLAN . . . the PLAN . . . . was to use this PRE-Service-Pack "Promotional" VISTA-64 I picked up a couple months ago (JUST for this purpose) -- after successfully slipstreaming it to SP1. [Because we all know . . . . about the BSODs trying to install the pre-SP on a system with more than 2GB of RAM . . . and I had also planned the hardware for an 8GB (two module) kit. So I can't just go "single-Channel" with one module and expect the promo-Vista to load. And the only way I can get a single 2GB module of the same type, is to BUY a 4GB (2x2) kit of the same G.SKILL GBRL memory.

Meanwhile, what LOOKED like a successful slipstream creation turned out to be failed. After entering the "product-code" or license key, the error message appears "Cannot find [DVD-drive:]\source\install.wim" and the installation cannot continue. Further research shows that this happened to all sorts of people who -- for whatever reason -- were slipstreaming their install discs or trying to re-install VISTA from a recovery disc -- any number of things.

At that point, I was thinking I could build a bootable USB installation from the ISO file I created, but that requires software I must buy (about $30) -- and may not be successful.

Now it dawns on me. Most people, trapped in this "decision-path" difficulty (and remember -- I could just go out and BUY my Win-7-64) -- most people have a SINGLE install disc, a SINGLE computer. Most people . . . . who express their desperation on forums . . . .

But I now have THREE VISTA-64 install discs: Two which are PRE-service-pack-1, and a third which is THE SERVICE PACK 1 VERSION.

And discussing this tonight with a friend, he believes -- and I admit the possibility -- that as long as I have the valid SP1-version install-disc and the PRODUCT KEY from the "promo" install disc -- I could probably install the former and activate it with the latter. And there would be no conflict between this "new computer project" and yet another computer which is running VISTA installed with the SP1 disc under the license that it also came with.

IS THIS TRUE? IS IT CORRECT? My friend said that (at least for OEM installs for XP), using the license from one install disc worked fine for installing the program from another install disc.

It SEEMS to make sense. I have THREE discs; I have THREE product keys. What the heck is the difference between using disc #3 and license #3 versus disc #2 and license #3??

 

[VirtualLarry]

But I now have THREE VISTA-64 install discs: Two which are PRE-service-pack-1, and a third which is THE SERVICE PACK 1 VERSION.

And discussing this tonight with a friend, he believes -- and I admit the possibility -- that as long as I have the valid SP1-version install-disc and the PRODUCT KEY from the "promo" install disc -- I could probably install the former and activate it with the latter. And there would be no conflict between this "new computer project" and yet another computer which is running VISTA installed with the SP1 disc under the license that it also came with.

IS THIS TRUE? IS IT CORRECT? My friend said that (at least for OEM installs for XP), using the license from one install disc worked fine for installing the program from another install disc.

It SEEMS to make sense. I have THREE discs; I have THREE product keys. What the heck is the difference between using disc #3 and license #3 versus disc #2 and license #3??

Wow, so much stressing over such a little issue. Yes, as long as you have the product key, you should be able to install it using either a Vista (gold), or a Vista SP1 install disc. I torrented an MSDN copy of Vista 64-bit SP1, specifically to avoid that issue with the 2GB RAM limitation. I have (well, had, I cannot find it anymore) a pristine copy of Vista Ultimate Retail. I took it to the flea market a few months ago, and last time I was there, I could have sworn I unpacked everything to display, and I don't remember seeing it. Possibly, it was stolen.

Not that I care, I decided some time ago that I wasn't going to bother to install Vista, because I considered it to be such a dog.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

What can I say? Used to be . . . I'd jump on every new OS as soon as it was released.

I switched to VISTA-64 a little late -- and one grows older with a greater comfort in the familiarity of old things. Half the users I know are still running XP-32-bit. Anyway, I replaced my XP in early 2008 -- just about the time the Win-7 RC was available (I think that was right . . )

Downloaded the latter; installed it on another system; without running any benchmarks, decided that it opened up the same 32-bit bottleneck that VISTA had; but -- not enough drivers to make it worth keeping the Win-7-RC and waiting for the version's release -- whatever "break" I'd get on a license in that year's window.

Got used to VISTA; saw it "mature" -- very few problems with it, except that hassle with the pre-SP installation. Meanwhile, I service a friend's computer -- a near-paraplegic who needs his computer but needs his Dragon Naturally Speaking even more -- or he's S-O-L. He bought a new Dell system early this year, with Win 7 64 on it. Now IT is "mature," but there are design features that turn me off. My friend isn't fond of it, either. . . .

Eventually, I'll buy it and replace VISTA. But every time this happens, there are features that someone chose to "make it easier" for the OS-uninitiated, and you have to ask why it seems one goes through even more hoops to get something done quickly that was so straightforward in an old version.

Speaking of old versions -- I think I'm becoming one . . .

In the meantime -- it's an uphill battle to get the family to give up their 32-bit XP, running on systems that are underperforming because of it. . . . I'll be lucky just to get them to switch to VISTA -- never mind Win-7 . . .

And . . . always . . . . Microsoft costs -- even if "you get what you pay for. . . " And now . . . we're heading toward Windows 8? toward another long wait for the first service pack?