Vista - activation using upgrade without first installing XP

My kids just put together a computer and used an upgrade version of Vista as
a clean install. I have an old copy of XP. Microsoft won't activate the
upgrade version. Do I need to delete Vista and install XP then reinstall
Vista? Can I pay Microsoft the difference between the upgrade and
non-upgrade version?

"Ken" <Ken@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:8C7EE4F5-2B3A-4292-B19D-95511524CA78@microsoft.com...
> My kids just put together a computer and used an upgrade version of Vista
> as
> a clean install. I have an old copy of XP. Microsoft won't activate the
> upgrade version. Do I need to delete Vista and install XP then reinstall
> Vista? Can I pay Microsoft the difference between the upgrade and
> non-upgrade version?

You should be very cautious here. The new activation is not like previous
OS upgrades. I believe once you activate Vista from an upgrade the old
registration code is also "consumed"/deleted call it what you will. In
other words if you are using a PC with that XP serial number you wont be
able to update it as the serial number will no longer be valid.

Crimliar

"CrimLiar" <crimliar@dontevenbothertrying.com> wrote in message
news:%23VLfQMsUHHA.996@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
> "Ken" <Ken@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:8C7EE4F5-2B3A-4292-B19D-95511524CA78@microsoft.com...

>
> You should be very cautious here. The new activation is not like previous
> OS upgrades. I believe once you activate Vista from an upgrade the old
> registration code is also "consumed"/deleted call it what you will. In
> other words if you are using a PC with that XP serial number you wont be
> able to update it as the serial number will no longer be valid.
>
> Crimliar

This is not true. The upgrade process is different from previous upgrades.
The license for the qualifying OS becomes part of the license. This is a the
same as previous upgrades. The key for the qualifying OS is not rendered
invalid. It will be needed if you have to reinstall the upgrade at some
point as you have to install the qualifying OS first.

And yes there have been ways to get around this posted. I haven't tested
them so I have no idea if they work or not.

--
Kerry Brown
Microsoft MVP - Shell/User
http://www.vistahelp.ca

http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase...rade_clean.asp

very helpful. thanks

"ITinerant" wrote:

> http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase...rade_clean.asp
>