"Joe Morris" wrote:
Quote:
> "megatron-uk" <megatron-uk@xxxxxx> wrote:
> Quote:
> >I have just bought a *Retail* boxed version of Windows Vista Business N to
> > upgrade an XP Pro installation. The full details are:
> >
> > Windows Vista Business N English International Upgrade DVD
> > 66K-00005
> >
> > It was a sealed, boxed copy that specifically states on the box and in an
> > insert that I can order 64bit installation media from
> > http://www.windowsvista.com/1033/ordermedia ... however, every time I try
> > to
> > use the online ordering process is replies with:
> >
> > "We're sorry, the following error(s) have occurred:
> > No Offer Found"
> >
> > I understand that OEM versions are not elligible for the alternative
> > media,
> > but this is a retail copy. Is there anywhere at Microsoft I can enter my
> > Product Key to ensure that it is valid and has not been stolen or used
> > anywhere else? >
> At what point in the process did the error message appear? And what
> happened when you used the process described when you click the "Support
> Options Page" link on the page that appears when you go to the URL you cited
> in your posting?
>
> I just now checked the MSDN downloads page and see that it offers a copy of
> Vista Business N in 64-bit mode, so the SKU for N64 exists.
>
> You don't say where you are located, or how you purchased the Vista N kit.
> The notes for the N version include the notation "(For Use in the European
> Union Only)". Your email address suggests a UK address, but if you
> specified a non-EU shipping address that might explain the rejection.
>
> Out of curiosity, why did you get the N version? News reports I've seen
> indicate that its sales are so miserable that many EU merchants don't bother
> to carry it, and when they do, the price difference is negligible.
>
> Joe Morris Hi Joe, thanks for the reply.
I select my shipping destination (UK) and then enter my Product Key and
confirm the security image on the next page - I get the 'please wait' page
for a few seconds and then it returns me to the Product Key / Security image
page with the addition of the error as shown above.
I went for the Business-N version exactly because of the miserable sales!
The small independent retailers at computer fairs seem to be selling it off
at quite a discount compared to the version with bundled media player (I
don't use media player in XP anyway; VLC suffices). The best prices for
Business-N upgrade are around £90-£100, compared to the normal Business
upgrade for £120 or so. IMO the OEM versions are false economy even if
building systems.
-John