Microsoft Action Pack for January 2007 that includes Vista

[Kremlar]

I thought they were shipping 1/10/07, but I haven't received my package yet.

Anyone receive theirs yet?

Thanks!

 

[Aberforth]

They will ship Jan 29

 

[tylerw13]

ive got mine but it is the oem business version....let me just say that i really am impressed with it so far...pretty nice

 

[RebateMonger]

Originally posted by: tylerw13
ive got mine but it is the oem business version....let me just say that i really am impressed with it so far...pretty nice

Some folks have received theirs. Not me. It's not an OEM version of Vista, though. THAT would only allow a clean install.

Some Microsoft Partners are saying that the included Vista Business is acting like some weird Upgrade-ONLY Retail version. They say could ONLY do an upgrade of an exsiting XP box. No option for a fresh install, even though that's always been an option with an Upgrade version of Windows (as long as you had a CD from a prior version).

 

[networkman]

Hmm.. if it is only an upgrade I wonder how it's gonna act with a previous version of XP also from the Action Pack of last year?

I've not seen my Action Pack yet either.

 

[RebateMonger]

Originally posted by: networkman
Hmm.. if it is only an upgrade I wonder how it's gonna act with a previous version of XP also from the Action Pack of last year?

Well, since I don't have mine, I can't be sure what's going on. But theres a LOT of discussion Yahoo's SBS 2000 Group (where many Microsoft Partners hang out) about this. If it is, indeed, a special "Upgrade-only" version, then that's a serious problem for "New" Action Pack subscribers. They'd have to buy a new OEM PC or buy a copy of XP for a home-made box just to install the Action Pack version Vista on a new PC. In the past, most Action Pack stuff has basically been "Retail, Full Version", allowing both an upgrade install and a fresh install.

 

[Kremlar]

...and what's with the $139 upgrade to Vista Ultimate?? You can buy an OEM Vista Ultimate for only about $50 more!

Anyone know if Microsoft ever revokes the install keys for old products, or subscriptions that expire?

 

[sam509]

MS posted on the Small Business Community the Action Pack update started staggered shipments for North America Friday the 19th and that everyone should get theirs "within 5 days of shipment". Not happy about that considering the update kits were supposed to ship the 11th and I had to find out about the delay on the Internet. Link below:

Action Pack Shipment Date

The Windows XP Professional version shipped since last fall with the Action Pack has been the upgrade versions, the Vista Business you get will be the upgrade version only.

Some of Microsoft?s people are saying you cannot do a clean install with the upgrade version? the MS Vista web site states(?) you may do a clean install with all versions of Vista (Link below)? I have heard both from users. I guess I will find out when I get my Action Pack update.

Installing and reinstalling Windows

I also found out last week MS changed the rules so that when you renew your subscription you MUST upgrade to current versions of ALL software and lose license rights to old software you got in the Action Pack? meaning when your subscription renewal date rolls around you MUST upgrade all computers to Vista and you can no longer use the Action Pack versions of XP or any other noncurrent release software. Link below:

Do I have Downgrade Rights for my software that comes in Action Pack?

I am very unhappy about having to pay another $139 just like every other Vista Business user to get 1 Ultimate license... does MS really want us to support our/their customers.

 

[RebateMonger]

Originally posted by: sam509
Do I have Downgrade Rights for my software that comes in Action Pack?

This comment is on Eric Ligman's personal blog. His "opinion" is different than what folks agreed to when originally purchasing the Action Pack. It also makes no sense.

This is typical of a big licensing issue at Microsoft. Microsoft INSISTS that the only valid agreement between the User and Microsoft is the EULA. Then, folks like Eric start posting their own opinions. But, according to Microsoft, what Eric Ligman says means nothing. If it's not in the EULA, it's meaningless.

 

[sam509]

Originally posted by: RebateMonger

Originally posted by: sam509
Do I have Downgrade Rights for my software that comes in Action Pack?

This comment is on Eric Ligman's personal blog. His "opinion" is different than what folks agreed to when originally purchasing the Action Pack. It also makes no sense.

This is typical of a big licensing issue at Microsoft. Microsoft INSISTS that the only valid agreement between the User and Microsoft is the EULA. Then, folks like Eric start posting their own opinions. But, according to Microsoft, what Eric Ligman says means nothing. If it's not in the EULA, it's meaningless.

Maybe but...

One it is not a personal blog that is a company blog.

Two when a Microsoft U.S. senior manager of SBC program and MS Partner program and one of the people basically running the Action Pack program post something like that and Microsoft or he does not correct it after almost 2 weeks it means something. It means either he is an idiot, or MS is testing for reaction, or it is true.

I know Microsoft is being pounded with questions and asked specifically by many people for a denial and they have not denied it? Why no denial?

 

[RebateMonger]

Well, my January Action Pack update arrived (1/26). Unfortunately, the news of changes (?) in MS's licensing policies for the Action Pack makes this so-so news. I'm NOT planning to upgrade all my PCs to Vista and to Office 2007. I can't I have to support my clients, who DO NOT use Vista and Office 2007.

Unfortunately, my Action Pack subscription expires in a few months. If the rumors are true, then even assuming I re-subscribe, any desktops and servers with Action Pack software will be deactivated unless they've been updated to the lastest and greatest Microsoft stuff.

Over the years, I've intentionally NOT used Action Pack licenses for critical software in my IT consulting company. This is one reason why.

 

[Nocturnal]

Wow, that is crap. I really hope that this is not the case and that the blog is just that, a blog and not official word.

 

[GreggyD]

Originally posted by: RebateMonger

Unfortunately, my Action Pack subscription expires in a few months. If the rumors are true, then even assuming I re-subscribe, any desktops and servers with Action Pack software will be deactivated unless they've been updated to the lastest and greatest Microsoft stuff.

The software will not automatically "deactivate" and be rendered useless. You just won't be in compliance with the license......that's all. The workstations/servers will continue to function. In fact, even after your subscription expires you can still use the old Action Pack keys to activate the products. BUT....you are violating the license agreement.

The products and keys will continue to work.

 

[RebateMonger]

Originally posted by: GreggyD
The software will not automatically "deactivate" and be rendered useless. You just won't be in compliance with the license......that's all. The workstations/servers will continue to function. In fact, even after your subscription expires you can still use the old Action Pack keys to activate the products. BUT....you are violating the license agreement.

The products and keys will continue to work.

That was the situation until this year. HOPEFULLY it's not going to change.

By the way, I posted this elsewhere, but my Action Pack Vista DVD, labelled "Microsoft Windows Vista Upgrade Business" DOES boot on my Toshiba laptop's DVD. Unfortunately, after it unpacks some files, it blue-screens the laptop and tells me that my BIOS is not fully ACPI-compatible. I upgraded to the latest Toshiba BIOS....and got the same blue-screen. :disgust:

 

[Chunkee]

I got mine the other day also...Has anyone tried yet to do a fresh install without the stupid upgrade?

I may just forget it then...

jC

 

[Nocturnal]

Let us know. I am wondering about this too. Especially for someone who is new to MAP and does not have ten already installed XP boxes to do upgrades to. Not everyone will use all ten licenses but many do use more than a few and if you don't already have XP boxes to upgrade from, are you screwed?

 

[Chunkee]

Originally posted by: Nocturnal
Let us know. I am wondering about this too. Especially for someone who is new to MAP and does not have ten already installed XP boxes to do upgrades to. Not everyone will use all ten licenses but many do use more than a few and if you don't already have XP boxes to upgrade from, are you screwed?

check out my other thread for the work around on this...

jC

 

[AstroCreep]

Upgrade to Vista business...WTF is with that??? 🙁

I have to renew in the next ten days...I'm thinking about letting it lapse because of this.

$300 is a bit much too; I remember when it was only $200 to resubscribe...back in the old days. 😉