Vista OEM activation

[imported_OrSin]

I need to install vista on 4 PC's but will only be using Vista on 1 at any one time. I know this might be outside of the the general use of the product. If VMware worked better with Vista this would not an issue, but curretnly this is my only work around to test all the hardware builds I have.

I heard they you can activate several times the same OEM copy for the first 30 days and MS will let it happen. Is this true? Basicly i was going to install it on 4 PC at once and activate them all. Then I can take my time testing them. Do you think this will work.

A little off topic but does anyone know if Vista Premium come in 64bit and it so do the OEM upgrade coupons they are giving when buying a new computer allow you to use the 64 bit version.

 

[spyordie007]

In what way does VMWare not work? I run VMWare workstation all the time...

I think you can install Vista without a product key and run it for 30 days without activating (may be 15, I've only actually done it once). This should give you sufficient time to test your software.

I'm pretty sure they will not let you activate it on different hardware, this was one of the behaviors that WPA was designed to discourage.

As for the upgrade coupons that's a question for the vendor providing the upgrade. Vista comes in 64bit versions for pretty much everything but starter edition (which you cant get in the US) so it's just a question of what they're going to give you.

 

[RebateMonger]

This Microsoft KB implies that you'll still have 30 days after installation to Activate Vista. If that's the case, there should be little need to actually ACTIVATE Vista on any of your four trial computers.

Nobody on these Forums seems to know deep details about the OEM versions and the free upgrades. It appears that we may have to wait until Jan. 30 to know for sure. Microsoft itself is handling the free upgrades, so only Microsoft knows the details...and apparently isn't sharing.