Vista - RE: Microsoft family discount deal, and pre-sales questiion on Vista

I am a confused comsumer. My intent was just buying the Vista ultimate
upgrade then getting the 2 home premium family deal. Now I might not make
the purchase because I'm confused about the users agreement for Vista.

Here are my questions.

1)If I buy the Vista ultimate upgrade retail version

a)Do I qulify for the family discount deal(2 vista home premium for about
$100)
- I read I do but I want to make sure

b)In the family discount deal are the 2 vista home premium version full
versions or upgrade versions?

c) can I make a clean install of Vista Ultimate without have to waste time
installing XP Pro sp2? Basically can you make a clean install of Vista
ultimate with the upgrade reatil version

2) User agreements, I upgrade my system(CPU, memory, motherboard, video
card) every 4-6 months.

a)If I upgarde my motherboard/cpu in 4 months will I be able to install
Vista again or do I have to buy another copy of Vista.

3)32bit and 64bit versions

b)Is the retail Vista ultimate 32bit/64bit?

c)I have the core 2 duo e6600, which version would you suggest? I leaning
toward the 64bit but don't know if there is a lot of program support for the
64bit. Can somemoe clarify this. Are the newest games,programs compatable
with 64bit now or will I have to allways look for 64bit programs.

d)DO the retail version come with both 32 and 64 bit versions?

e) can you upgrade/downgrade to either 32/64 bit versions? If so are there
any fees for this?

Can some please clarify these questions I have thanks.

"Betatesterzz" wrote

>I am a confused comsumer. My intent was just buying the Vista ultimate
> upgrade then getting the 2 home premium family deal. Now I might not make
> the purchase because I'm confused about the users agreement for Vista.
>
> Here are my questions.
>
> 1)If I buy the Vista ultimate upgrade retail version
>
> a)Do I qulify for the family discount deal(2 vista home premium for about
> $100)
> - I read I do but I want to make sure

Yes

> b)In the family discount deal are the 2 vista home premium version full
> versions or upgrade versions?

I believe it's full.

> c) can I make a clean install of Vista Ultimate without have to waste time
> installing XP Pro sp2? Basically can you make a clean install of Vista
> ultimate with the upgrade reatil version

No, a Vista Ultimate upgrade version has to be started from the installed
qualifying OS's desktop. In this case XP has to be installed, activated and
genuine. Once started you can do either a custom install where data and
programs are not carried over from the XP installation, or an in place
upgrade. If you don't want that restriction, then get a full version.

> 2) User agreements, I upgrade my system(CPU, memory, motherboard, video
> card) every 4-6 months.
>
> a)If I upgarde my motherboard/cpu in 4 months will I be able to install
> Vista again or do I have to buy another copy of Vista.

You can reinstall and upgrade the same system as many times as you like and
for a retail version, full or upgrade, it can be moved to another system if
it's first removed from the other system. If you have the upgrade version
then XP will have to be installed and activated first, then the upgrade
done. So for moving to another system your version of XP has to be retail,
an OEM version of XP cannot be moved to another computer.

> 3)32bit and 64bit versions
>
> b)Is the retail Vista ultimate 32bit/64bit?

It comes in both. For Ultimate both DVDs are in the box. For the others if
you buy x86 you have to send for the x64 DVD.

> c)I have the core 2 duo e6600, which version would you suggest? I leaning
> toward the 64bit but don't know if there is a lot of program support for
> the
> 64bit. Can somemoe clarify this. Are the newest games,programs compatable
> with 64bit now or will I have to allways look for 64bit programs.

Someone else will have to pipe up here. Opinions are like..well you know
what.

> d)DO the retail version come with both 32 and 64 bit versions?

See above.

> e) can you upgrade/downgrade to either 32/64 bit versions? If so are there
> any fees for this?

No fees. If you remove one you can install the other with the same product
key. It is not an upgrade/downgrade, it's a migration. And you won't be
able to do an in place upgrade in either direction.

> Can some please clarify these questions I have thanks.

Sorry, no.

--
Rock [MVP - User/Shell]

"Rock" <rock@nospam.net> wrote in message
news:u0CZ2LpQHHA.4404@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
>
>> b)In the family discount deal are the 2 vista home premium version full
>> versions or upgrade versions?
>
> I believe it's full.

Do you have anything to support that? Obviously, we'll all know soon enough
but so far, it appears that it may be an upgrade only for the two Home
licenses based on the statement that has been quoted here about installing
Vista Home on two Windows PCs. That appears that it may imply the two PCs
that Vista Home can be installed on must already have Windows. What do you
think?

Dale

"Dale" wrote

> "Rock" wrote

>>
>>> b)In the family discount deal are the 2 vista home premium version full
>>> versions or upgrade versions?
>>
>> I believe it's full.
>
> Do you have anything to support that? Obviously, we'll all know soon
> enough but so far, it appears that it may be an upgrade only for the two
> Home licenses based on the statement that has been quoted here about
> installing Vista Home on two Windows PCs. That appears that it may imply
> the two PCs that Vista Home can be installed on must already have Windows.
> What do you think?

No, I don't have anything to support it, that's why I qualified the phrasing
with "I believe". I don't see why it would be limited to an upgrade
version, but it could be.

--
Rock [MVP - User/Shell]

If it is upgrades only, I won't bother with the offer. I don't want to
spend the next many years installing XP if I want to re-install Vista.

Can you imagine if they had always required the upgraded OS be installed
before the upgrade? Now, I want to re-install Vista on a PC so I install
Windows 95, upgrade to Windows 98, upgrade to Windows 98SE, upgrade to
Windows 2000 Professional, upgrade to Windows XP Professional, and finally,
upgrade to Windows Vista. What a nightmare! And what a nightmare this
upgrade policy is going to represent in 10 or 15 years.

Dale

"Rock" <rock@nospam.net> wrote in message
news:O103tFqQHHA.4260@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
> "Dale" wrote
>
>> "Rock" wrote
>
>>>
>>>> b)In the family discount deal are the 2 vista home premium version full
>>>> versions or upgrade versions?
>>>
>>> I believe it's full.
>>
>> Do you have anything to support that? Obviously, we'll all know soon
>> enough but so far, it appears that it may be an upgrade only for the two
>> Home licenses based on the statement that has been quoted here about
>> installing Vista Home on two Windows PCs. That appears that it may imply
>> the two PCs that Vista Home can be installed on must already have
>> Windows. What do you think?
>
> No, I don't have anything to support it, that's why I qualified the
> phrasing with "I believe". I don't see why it would be limited to an
> upgrade version, but it could be.
>
> --
> Rock [MVP - User/Shell]

This convenience also left the door open for what MS calls "casual copying,"
meaning cheating on upgrade editions by borrowing some friend's cd for the
installation (and similar practices). While you or I never did such a
thing, too many others did. Pass the word to any of your friends who do
such things that they have caused you this inconvenience.

If you possibly can, make a clean break with this dependency change by
purchasing a full edition of Vista.

"Dale" <nospam@nospam.ever> wrote in message
news:O7KMRIwQHHA.488@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
> If it is upgrades only, I won't bother with the offer. I don't want to
> spend the next many years installing XP if I want to re-install Vista.
>
> Can you imagine if they had always required the upgraded OS be installed
> before the upgrade? Now, I want to re-install Vista on a PC so I install
> Windows 95, upgrade to Windows 98, upgrade to Windows 98SE, upgrade to
> Windows 2000 Professional, upgrade to Windows XP Professional, and
> finally, upgrade to Windows Vista. What a nightmare! And what a
> nightmare this upgrade policy is going to represent in 10 or 15 years.
>
> Dale
>
> "Rock" <rock@nospam.net> wrote in message
> news:O103tFqQHHA.4260@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
>> "Dale" wrote
>>
>>> "Rock" wrote
>>
>>>>
>>>>> b)In the family discount deal are the 2 vista home premium version
>>>>> full
>>>>> versions or upgrade versions?
>>>>
>>>> I believe it's full.
>>>
>>> Do you have anything to support that? Obviously, we'll all know soon
>>> enough but so far, it appears that it may be an upgrade only for the two
>>> Home licenses based on the statement that has been quoted here about
>>> installing Vista Home on two Windows PCs. That appears that it may
>>> imply the two PCs that Vista Home can be installed on must already have
>>> Windows. What do you think?
>>
>> No, I don't have anything to support it, that's why I qualified the
>> phrasing with "I believe". I don't see why it would be limited to an
>> upgrade version, but it could be.
>>
>> --
>> Rock [MVP - User/Shell]
>

The upgrade chain was hypothetical, thank goodness.

I never upgrade; I always buy either new full versions or new OEM versions
depending on what I'm doing.

Dale

"Colin Barnhorst" <colinbarharst@msn.com> wrote in message
news:A3654E86-83B0-431E-8E14-A84EE34FF8C4@microsoft.com...
> This convenience also left the door open for what MS calls "casual
> copying," meaning cheating on upgrade editions by borrowing some friend's
> cd for the installation (and similar practices). While you or I never did
> such a thing, too many others did. Pass the word to any of your friends
> who do such things that they have caused you this inconvenience.
>
> If you possibly can, make a clean break with this dependency change by
> purchasing a full edition of Vista.
>
> "Dale" <nospam@nospam.ever> wrote in message
> news:O7KMRIwQHHA.488@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
>> If it is upgrades only, I won't bother with the offer. I don't want to
>> spend the next many years installing XP if I want to re-install Vista.
>>
>> Can you imagine if they had always required the upgraded OS be installed
>> before the upgrade? Now, I want to re-install Vista on a PC so I install
>> Windows 95, upgrade to Windows 98, upgrade to Windows 98SE, upgrade to
>> Windows 2000 Professional, upgrade to Windows XP Professional, and
>> finally, upgrade to Windows Vista. What a nightmare! And what a
>> nightmare this upgrade policy is going to represent in 10 or 15 years.
>>
>> Dale
>>
>> "Rock" <rock@nospam.net> wrote in message
>> news:O103tFqQHHA.4260@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
>>> "Dale" wrote
>>>
>>>> "Rock" wrote
>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>> b)In the family discount deal are the 2 vista home premium version
>>>>>> full
>>>>>> versions or upgrade versions?
>>>>>
>>>>> I believe it's full.
>>>>
>>>> Do you have anything to support that? Obviously, we'll all know soon
>>>> enough but so far, it appears that it may be an upgrade only for the
>>>> two Home licenses based on the statement that has been quoted here
>>>> about installing Vista Home on two Windows PCs. That appears that it
>>>> may imply the two PCs that Vista Home can be installed on must already
>>>> have Windows. What do you think?
>>>
>>> No, I don't have anything to support it, that's why I qualified the
>>> phrasing with "I believe". I don't see why it would be limited to an
>>> upgrade version, but it could be.
>>>
>>> --
>>> Rock [MVP - User/Shell]
>>
>

I am basing this reply on what I seem to remember reading somewhere, either
in one of these forums or who knows where. Therefore it could very easily be
incorrect.

1) I believe you only get a license, not the actual disks
2) The original disks contains all the versions, the activation key
determines which version is to be installed.
3) An upgrade disk can not be used to install from boot, it must be
installed from within an existing os.
4) This is where someone that has had dealings with the upgrade path might
could clarify things (I have only used the full free Business version from
the Power Together campaign) I do not know at what point they get the notice
that the install must be done from within an existing OS. If it is after the
activiation/product key is entered, then it is quite possible it is the key
that is preventing the install from booting from the disk. However, if it is
before the key is entered, then it would seem any other installs for the
additional licenses would have to be via the upgrade route since you could
never get to the point to enter the license for a new install.
5) I would go back and check the offer again, it seems like I recall seeing
it was for only the FULL version of Ultimate, not the UPGRADE version which
if this is true would make 1-4 above moot. Not sure on this one at all - just
a very, very vague re-collection.

Again, as I said earlier, this could all be incorrect since I am recalling
from memory, so there is not a need for any hysterical replies from some of
the trolls if some or all of this is incorrect. Any constructive or benefical
replies would be useful, but not the useless drival from the trolls - if you
are not sure if you are one of these moroons, post a query as any of the
regular visitors to these forums can easily answer if you are one of these or
not. I visit these forums for information, not moroonic chatter from people
that considers themselves a budding genius because they did not hurt
themselves when they turned on the computer. Old saying -"put an infinte
number of monkeys on an infinite number of typewriters (PC in today's world)
and one of them will produce a Shakesphere play". I think some of the trolls
are trying to be that one. Enough of the soapbox about these moroons.

All I am saying that before you go the upgrade route, you might want to
research the matter a little more. Or remove any doubts and simply go the
full product route to begin with.

I have chosen to go the full product route because in the past, going the
upgrade route caused problems due to the problem of locating the disk(s) to
verify ownership of a qualifying upgrade product, much less having to
re-install it.

"Betatesterzz" wrote:

> I am a confused comsumer. My intent was just buying the Vista ultimate
> upgrade then getting the 2 home premium family deal. Now I might not make
> the purchase because I'm confused about the users agreement for Vista.
>
> Here are my questions.
>
> 1)If I buy the Vista ultimate upgrade retail version
>
> a)Do I qulify for the family discount deal(2 vista home premium for about
> $100)
> - I read I do but I want to make sure
>
> b)In the family discount deal are the 2 vista home premium version full
> versions or upgrade versions?
>
> c) can I make a clean install of Vista Ultimate without have to waste time
> installing XP Pro sp2? Basically can you make a clean install of Vista
> ultimate with the upgrade reatil version
>
> 2) User agreements, I upgrade my system(CPU, memory, motherboard, video
> card) every 4-6 months.
>
> a)If I upgarde my motherboard/cpu in 4 months will I be able to install
> Vista again or do I have to buy another copy of Vista.
>
> 3)32bit and 64bit versions
>
> b)Is the retail Vista ultimate 32bit/64bit?
>
> c)I have the core 2 duo e6600, which version would you suggest? I leaning
> toward the 64bit but don't know if there is a lot of program support for the
> 64bit. Can somemoe clarify this. Are the newest games,programs compatable
> with 64bit now or will I have to allways look for 64bit programs.
>
> d)DO the retail version come with both 32 and 64 bit versions?
>
> e) can you upgrade/downgrade to either 32/64 bit versions? If so are there
> any fees for this?
>
> Can some please clarify these questions I have thanks.

You bet. Me too. I am not saying that there is something wrong with
upgrade editions. They are a financial necessity for many. But to me it is
a matter of "what is worth doing is worth doing right." I like all my
systems to stand on their own.

"Dale" <nospam@nospam.ever> wrote in message
news:eNFEOLxQHHA.3812@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
> The upgrade chain was hypothetical, thank goodness.
>
> I never upgrade; I always buy either new full versions or new OEM versions
> depending on what I'm doing.
>
> Dale
>
> "Colin Barnhorst" <colinbarharst@msn.com> wrote in message
> news:A3654E86-83B0-431E-8E14-A84EE34FF8C4@microsoft.com...
>> This convenience also left the door open for what MS calls "casual
>> copying," meaning cheating on upgrade editions by borrowing some friend's
>> cd for the installation (and similar practices). While you or I never
>> did such a thing, too many others did. Pass the word to any of your
>> friends who do such things that they have caused you this inconvenience.
>>
>> If you possibly can, make a clean break with this dependency change by
>> purchasing a full edition of Vista.
>>
>> "Dale" <nospam@nospam.ever> wrote in message
>> news:O7KMRIwQHHA.488@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
>>> If it is upgrades only, I won't bother with the offer. I don't want to
>>> spend the next many years installing XP if I want to re-install Vista.
>>>
>>> Can you imagine if they had always required the upgraded OS be installed
>>> before the upgrade? Now, I want to re-install Vista on a PC so I
>>> install Windows 95, upgrade to Windows 98, upgrade to Windows 98SE,
>>> upgrade to Windows 2000 Professional, upgrade to Windows XP
>>> Professional, and finally, upgrade to Windows Vista. What a nightmare!
>>> And what a nightmare this upgrade policy is going to represent in 10 or
>>> 15 years.
>>>
>>> Dale
>>>
>>> "Rock" <rock@nospam.net> wrote in message
>>> news:O103tFqQHHA.4260@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
>>>> "Dale" wrote
>>>>
>>>>> "Rock" wrote
>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> b)In the family discount deal are the 2 vista home premium version
>>>>>>> full
>>>>>>> versions or upgrade versions?
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I believe it's full.
>>>>>
>>>>> Do you have anything to support that? Obviously, we'll all know soon
>>>>> enough but so far, it appears that it may be an upgrade only for the
>>>>> two Home licenses based on the statement that has been quoted here
>>>>> about installing Vista Home on two Windows PCs. That appears that it
>>>>> may imply the two PCs that Vista Home can be installed on must already
>>>>> have Windows. What do you think?
>>>>
>>>> No, I don't have anything to support it, that's why I qualified the
>>>> phrasing with "I believe". I don't see why it would be limited to an
>>>> upgrade version, but it could be.
>>>>
>>>> --
>>>> Rock [MVP - User/Shell]
>>>
>>
>

1) and 2) are correct.

3) An x64 upgrade edition is installed by booting with the dvd unless the
legacy system is also 64bit.

4) When the user boots with the x86 dvd upon entering an upgrade edition
product key he receives the message the the pk he entered requires running
Setup from the desktop. He does not get this message if he booted with the
x64 dvd. The reason is that the x64 installer is itself 64bits and cannot
run from a W2k or XP x86 desktop.

5) The page does say both upgrade and full Ultimate retail editions qualify
for the Family Plan.

"HighNoon" <HighNoon@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:E53EACE6-FC09-40C7-AD86-EAE3E8843B73@microsoft.com...
>I am basing this reply on what I seem to remember reading somewhere, either
> in one of these forums or who knows where. Therefore it could very easily
> be
> incorrect.
>
> 1) I believe you only get a license, not the actual disks
> 2) The original disks contains all the versions, the activation key
> determines which version is to be installed.
> 3) An upgrade disk can not be used to install from boot, it must be
> installed from within an existing os.
> 4) This is where someone that has had dealings with the upgrade path might
> could clarify things (I have only used the full free Business version from
> the Power Together campaign) I do not know at what point they get the
> notice
> that the install must be done from within an existing OS. If it is after
> the
> activiation/product key is entered, then it is quite possible it is the
> key
> that is preventing the install from booting from the disk. However, if it
> is
> before the key is entered, then it would seem any other installs for the
> additional licenses would have to be via the upgrade route since you could
> never get to the point to enter the license for a new install.
> 5) I would go back and check the offer again, it seems like I recall
> seeing
> it was for only the FULL version of Ultimate, not the UPGRADE version
> which
> if this is true would make 1-4 above moot. Not sure on this one at all -
> just
> a very, very vague re-collection.
>