Vista - General Questions

Please forgive my ignorance. I've been using an iMac for a while and forgot
how much I hated having to go through these MSFT quirks and problems, but
here goes:

1) If I purchase one copy of Vista home Basic, on how many computers may I
run it on? I have an iMac that I wish to install it on as well as two other
Windows-based PC's located at home (one each for my son & daughter).

2) If I buy the on-line downloadable version, MSFT's website says that
"you'll have three days to install hardware or software products and to set
up an Internet connection before activation will take place."
I must be reading this incorrectly. (I went to California schools). Is
this saying that if I purchase the downloadable version I have to wait three
days for my software to be activated? This can't be right. Surely I can pay
for this archaic piece of goods, download it and begin using it immediately,
yes?

Why must MSFT make things so stinking complicated? Yikes, I just wanna buy
software for crying out loud, not receive training from ITT Tech.

In answer to question 1:

You can install Windows Vista on 'One' PC only. If you want to install it on
3 PCs you must buy 3 copies (volume licencing starts at a minimum of 5)

Question 2:

You can use Vista straight away. During install the default option is to
'activate' the product. When installing remove the tick from this box. You
actually have 30 days to activate (well you do with a retail version,
anyway) but an activation prompt will appear in the notification area after
3 days (perhaps that is where the misunderstanding arises).


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John Barnett MVP
Windows XP Associate Expert
Windows Desktop Experience

Web: http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org
Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org

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"CJ Hames" <CJ Hames@xxxxxx> wrote in message
news:6D918DEE-21D9-496C-8E98-463B507AACC9@xxxxxx