What will be my cheapest option for Vista Ultimate?

[michaels]

I have Xp Pro installed now.

 

[Lonyo]

Ultimate OEM full version.

 

[XZeroII]

Cheapest? Bittorrent. Of course I don't condone that, but it is the cheapest.

 

[zodder]

There's a semi hack that lets you do a clean install with an upgrade disk. It's actually pretty darn easy too.

 

[Dacalo]

Originally posted by: zodder
There's a semi hack that lets you do a clean install with an upgrade disk. It's actually pretty darn easy too.

I thought upgrade disk lets you do clean install anyways? You just have to insert a legit copy of XP later during the installation process no?

 

[Golgatha]

Originally posted by: Dacalo

Originally posted by: zodder
There's a semi hack that lets you do a clean install with an upgrade disk. It's actually pretty darn easy too.

I thought upgrade disk lets you do clean install anyways? You just have to insert a legit copy of XP later during the installation process no?

Not anymore. Upgrade discs don't support the old school clean install.

 

[StevenYoo]

Originally posted by: zodder
There's a semi hack that lets you do a clean install with an upgrade disk. It's actually pretty darn easy too.

check it out http://www.dailytech.com/Workaround+Dis...ith+Vista+Upgrade+DVDs/article5932.htm

 

[michaels]

Is it true the upgrade versions only allow one install only?

 

[QuantumPion]

If I have two computers I want to install Vista on, preferably ultimate, what is my best route? One computer is my gaming rig that may get upgrades in the future, the other is my home theater PC which probably won't change any time soon. I have an OEM version of XP that I got while I was in college, however the activation key is no longer valid on windows update. I also have windows 2000. Can I get one copy of Ultimate upgrade to use on two machines? Or do I have to buy two separate copies?

 

[alm4rr]

AT has vista article up on the main page.... why do you need ultimate?

 

[secretanchitman]

its 200 bucks at newegg for the OEM version. use dailytech's workaround to do a clean install...but i think you still have to install o/ses twice.

 

[13Gigatons]

Originally posted by: secretanchitman
its 200 bucks at newegg for the OEM version. use dailytech's workaround to do a clean install...but i think you still have to install o/ses twice.

OEM is a Full version the work around is for the upgrade version.

 

[microAmp]

Also keep in mind, OEM version are just 32-bit or 64-bit. Retail versions have both on 1 disc, not sure where Upgrade stands. If any of that has an influence on your decision that is...

 

[MrChad]

Originally posted by: QuantumPion
If I have two computers I want to install Vista on, preferably ultimate, what is my best route? One computer is my gaming rig that may get upgrades in the future, the other is my home theater PC which probably won't change any time soon. I have an OEM version of XP that I got while I was in college, however the activation key is no longer valid on windows update. I also have windows 2000. Can I get one copy of Ultimate upgrade to use on two machines? Or do I have to buy two separate copies?

Separate copies, but check out this deal.

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/produc...vista/buyorupgrade/familydiscount.mspx

 

[QuantumPion]

So for $500 I get a retail ultimate and 2 home premiums? That is ridiculously expensive. I might as well just get 2 OEM home premiums for $120 each.

 

[otispunkmeyer]

cheapest : Pirate

cheapest legit : OEM

OEM ultimate is £130 here

but why do you want ultimate, its got aload of features you probably wont miss, the only exception being Bitlocker. Home premium is probably the best choice unless you are an uber power user

home premium can be had for £62 here

 

[Icepick]

Originally posted by: Golgatha

Originally posted by: Dacalo

Originally posted by: zodder
There's a semi hack that lets you do a clean install with an upgrade disk. It's actually pretty darn easy too.

I thought upgrade disk lets you do clean install anyways? You just have to insert a legit copy of XP later during the installation process no?

Not anymore. Upgrade discs don't support the old school clean install.

1. The Vista upgrade disks do support clean installs.
2. The install process has changed. You will NOT be prompted to enter your legit copy of XP during the installation process of Vista. Instead, you have to have XP installed already and then start the Vista upgrade installation from within Windows XP.
3. There is a nice hack to get around the XP requirement. You can take a clean hard drive and install Vista upgrade on it. When it prompts for the key leave it blank. Then you will have Vista installed under a caveat that it's only good for 30 days. Then just reinstall your Vista upgrade over the top of this and it will detect that a version of Windows is already installed and it will work. Choose the clean upgrade option.

 

[Icepick]

Originally posted by: michaels
Is it true the upgrade versions only allow one install only?

No. You can use the upgrade versions as many times as you want with the caveat that they only be installed on one computer at a time. You can transfer the license to other computers.

 

[Icepick]

Originally posted by: QuantumPion
If I have two computers I want to install Vista on, preferably ultimate, what is my best route? One computer is my gaming rig that may get upgrades in the future, the other is my home theater PC which probably won't change any time soon. I have an OEM version of XP that I got while I was in college, however the activation key is no longer valid on windows update. I also have windows 2000. Can I get one copy of Ultimate upgrade to use on two machines? Or do I have to buy two separate copies?

You will not be able to activate one Ultimate upgrade key on two machines simultaneously. They only allow it to be installed one at a time. You have to buy two copies to do that.

If your Windows XP key no longer works then you will have to buy a full version - either OEM or retail - for each PC you want to install it on.

 

[randomlinh]

so... home premium doesn't have the "network center" and "remote desktop"... what exactly does that mean? MS's site isn't very clear. Does it mean I can't use remote desktop to connect to work? Or does it mean I just can't remote desktop to my home system?

 

[Icepick]

Remote Desktop is not bundled with Vista. You can not use Remote Desktop to connect to work and you can not remote desktop to your home system.

You CAN purchase Remote Desktop as a third party application and install it. Then you will be able to connect both ways. It's supported, just not bundled.

 

[MrUniq]

Technically and upgrade is transferable but as of right now no. I have personnally tried this and MS support does not have the tools to generate new upgrade keys when you do decide change your hardware. There are going to be alot of screwed over customers b/c of that. I just went out and swap my upgrade for the full retail to not have to deal with that anymore. The funny thing is that I now own two keys because of that situation. I suggest ONLY going OEM or Retail. Any other option (unless it's free) will be regretful.

 

[ayabe]

Originally posted by: randomlinh
so... home premium doesn't have the "network center" and "remote desktop"... what exactly does that mean? MS's site isn't very clear. Does it mean I can't use remote desktop to connect to work? Or does it mean I just can't remote desktop to my home system?

The latter.

However, I don't see how MS can think of not allowing this as a separate download somehow.

Ultimate is a crock unless you really need BitLocker, which I thought wasn't even in the code at this time and is not really useful to most people.

 

[warcrow]

Originally posted by: Lonyo
Ultimate OEM full version.

This is what I did. $200 OEM on Newegg. No problems and no hitches.

 

[PingSpike]

Originally posted by: warcrow

Originally posted by: Lonyo
Ultimate OEM full version.

This is what I did. $200 OEM on Newegg. No problems and no hitches.

Aren't the OEM versions 32 OR 64 bit, but not both. Thus, if you want to run 32 bit now and wait for better drivers before moving to 64 bit...you would be forced to buy vista twice?