Vista - Vista Product Keys?

Does anyone know how the Vista Product Keys are going to work? Let me
explain why I ask.

I have 5 PCs in my household, all with XP Home or XP Pro. Eventually I
will want to upgrade them the Vista Ultimate, Home, or Home Premium,
depending on their specifications and usage.

In the past I have always bought "upgrade" software, but it's a real
PITA having to insert the old CD, so I figured if I bought one "full"
copy (and 4 upgrades) I could use that to do any new install, but use
the key from the appropriate version. Will this work?

Also, will all the versions be like the RTM version I have now: all
the versions are on the CD, but you only get a key for one? If so,
does this mean you could buy a key to get a different version?

--
Nigel M

Well ... first, Vista doesn't ask for a CD from your prior OS to upgrade.
The upgrade must be started from within Windows. So that worry is gone.
But each computer must be running a legitimate copy of Windows before you
can upgrade them.

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User] rgharper@gmail.com
* NEW! Catch my blog ... http://msmvps.com/blogs/rgharper/
* PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
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"Nigel Molesworth" <reply@thegroup-emailinvalid.com> wrote in message
news:ltgeq21t1cnjellpnqhh37f7fkefup0lr6@4ax.com...
> Does anyone know how the Vista Product Keys are going to work? Let me
> explain why I ask.
>
> I have 5 PCs in my household, all with XP Home or XP Pro. Eventually I
> will want to upgrade them the Vista Ultimate, Home, or Home Premium,
> depending on their specifications and usage.
>
> In the past I have always bought "upgrade" software, but it's a real
> PITA having to insert the old CD, so I figured if I bought one "full"
> copy (and 4 upgrades) I could use that to do any new install, but use
> the key from the appropriate version. Will this work?
>
> Also, will all the versions be like the RTM version I have now: all
> the versions are on the CD, but you only get a key for one? If so,
> does this mean you could buy a key to get a different version?
>
> --
> Nigel M

On Fri, 12 Jan 2007 06:07:07 -0500, "Richard G. Harper"
<rgharper@email.com> wrote:

>Well ... first, Vista doesn't ask for a CD from your prior OS to upgrade.
>The upgrade must be started from within Windows.

Yikes! So what happens if your HD dies and you need to re-install,
surely you don't have to install an older version first!

--
Nigel M

On 12/01/2007 in message <3f5fq2pju1h6mmrgv17nhfn4c5c6t0veb4@4ax.com>
Nigel Molesworth wrote:

>On Fri, 12 Jan 2007 06:07:07 -0500, "Richard G. Harper"
><rgharper@email.com> wrote:
>
>>Well ... first, Vista doesn't ask for a CD from your prior OS to upgrade.
>>The upgrade must be started from within Windows.
>
>Yikes! So what happens if your HD dies and you need to re-install,
>surely you don't have to install an older version first!

Oh yes you do :-(

--
Jeff Gaines

On Fri, 12 Jan 2007 06:30:29 -0800, "Jeff Gaines"
<whitedragon@newsgroups.nospam> wrote:

>>Yikes! So what happens if your HD dies and you need to re-install,
>>surely you don't have to install an older version first!
>
>Oh yes you do :-(

So back to my original question. Could you use a full copy to do a new
install, but use the key from the appropriate upgrade version?

--
Nigel M

All the media is the same. All versions of Vista (either 32 bit or 64 bit,
each has their own media) are on the media. What is installed depends on the
product key you enter. As far as I know the upgrade media is the same as the
full media. The only difference is the key that is supplied.

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


"Nigel Molesworth" <reply@thegroup-emailinvalid.com> wrote in message
newspcfq2pjetdrm8ngukqc54ab6m438il35c@4ax.com...
> On Fri, 12 Jan 2007 06:30:29 -0800, "Jeff Gaines"
> <whitedragon@newsgroups.nospam> wrote:
>
>>>Yikes! So what happens if your HD dies and you need to re-install,
>>>surely you don't have to install an older version first!
>>
>>Oh yes you do :-(
>
> So back to my original question. Could you use a full copy to do a new
> install, but use the key from the appropriate upgrade version?
>
> --
> Nigel M

Hello,
That is correct. The media is the same, the behavior is different
depending on whether you use an upgrade key or a full product.
Thanks,
Darrell Gorter[MSFT]

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights
--------------------
|>From: "Kerry Brown" <kerry@kdbNOSPAMsys-tems.c*a*m>
|>References: <ltgeq21t1cnjellpnqhh37f7fkefup0lr6@4ax.com>
<e4dvUnjNHHA.4916@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl>
<3f5fq2pju1h6mmrgv17nhfn4c5c6t0veb4@4ax.com>
<xn0f14iiy6e7ps002@msnews.microsoft.com>
<opcfq2pjetdrm8ngukqc54ab6m438il35c@4ax.com>
|>In-Reply-To: <opcfq2pjetdrm8ngukqc54ab6m438il35c@4ax.com>
|>Subject: Re: Vista Product Keys?
|>Date: Fri, 12 Jan 2007 08:49:02 -0800
|>Lines: 27
|>MIME-Version: 1.0
|>Content-Type: text/plain;
|> format=flowed;
|> charset="iso-8859-1";
|> reply-type=original
|>Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
|>X-Priority: 3
|>X-MSMail-Priority: Normal
|>X-Newsreader: Microsoft Windows Mail 6.0.6000.16386
|>X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.0.6000.16386
|>Message-ID: <uuwhWmmNHHA.4376@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl>
|>Newsgroups: microsoft.public.windows.vista.installation_setup
|>NNTP-Posting-Host: s01060080c8133852.vn.shawcable.net 24.82.123.204
|>Path: TK2MSFTNGHUB02.phx.gbl!TK2MSFTNGP01.phx.gbl!TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl
|>Xref: TK2MSFTNGHUB02.phx.gbl
microsoft.public.windows.vista.installation_setup:2196
|>X-Tomcat-NG: microsoft.public.windows.vista.installation_setup
|>
|>All the media is the same. All versions of Vista (either 32 bit or 64
bit,
|>each has their own media) are on the media. What is installed depends on
the
|>product key you enter. As far as I know the upgrade media is the same as
the
|>full media. The only difference is the key that is supplied.
|>
|>--
|>Kerry Brown
|>Microsoft MVP - Shell/User
|>http://www.vistahelp.ca
|>
|>
|>"Nigel Molesworth" <reply@thegroup-emailinvalid.com> wrote in message
|>newspcfq2pjetdrm8ngukqc54ab6m438il35c@4ax.com...
|>> On Fri, 12 Jan 2007 06:30:29 -0800, "Jeff Gaines"
|>> <whitedragon@newsgroups.nospam> wrote:
|>>
|>>>>Yikes! So what happens if your HD dies and you need to re-install,
|>>>>surely you don't have to install an older version first!
|>>>
|>>>Oh yes you do :-(
|>>
|>> So back to my original question. Could you use a full copy to do a new
|>> install, but use the key from the appropriate upgrade version?
|>>
|>> --
|>> Nigel M
|>
|>

So if I want to do a "clean installation" I have to reformat my drive, use
the inane "recovery disks", delete all the AOL and other crap that
automatically loads and THEN install Vista????


""Darrell Gorter[MSFT]"" <Darrellg@online.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:O$zb15mNHHA.2300@TK2MSFTNGHUB02.phx.gbl...
> Hello,
> That is correct. The media is the same, the behavior is different
> depending on whether you use an upgrade key or a full product.
> Thanks,
> Darrell Gorter[MSFT]
>
> This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights
> --------------------
> |>From: "Kerry Brown" <kerry@kdbNOSPAMsys-tems.c*a*m>
> |>References: <ltgeq21t1cnjellpnqhh37f7fkefup0lr6@4ax.com>
> <e4dvUnjNHHA.4916@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl>
> <3f5fq2pju1h6mmrgv17nhfn4c5c6t0veb4@4ax.com>
> <xn0f14iiy6e7ps002@msnews.microsoft.com>
> <opcfq2pjetdrm8ngukqc54ab6m438il35c@4ax.com>
> |>In-Reply-To: <opcfq2pjetdrm8ngukqc54ab6m438il35c@4ax.com>
> |>Subject: Re: Vista Product Keys?
> |>Date: Fri, 12 Jan 2007 08:49:02 -0800
> |>Lines: 27
> |>MIME-Version: 1.0
> |>Content-Type: text/plain;
> |> format=flowed;
> |> charset="iso-8859-1";
> |> reply-type=original
> |>Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
> |>X-Priority: 3
> |>X-MSMail-Priority: Normal
> |>X-Newsreader: Microsoft Windows Mail 6.0.6000.16386
> |>X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.0.6000.16386
> |>Message-ID: <uuwhWmmNHHA.4376@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl>
> |>Newsgroups: microsoft.public.windows.vista.installation_setup
> |>NNTP-Posting-Host: s01060080c8133852.vn.shawcable.net 24.82.123.204
> |>Path: TK2MSFTNGHUB02.phx.gbl!TK2MSFTNGP01.phx.gbl!TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl
> |>Xref: TK2MSFTNGHUB02.phx.gbl
> microsoft.public.windows.vista.installation_setup:2196
> |>X-Tomcat-NG: microsoft.public.windows.vista.installation_setup
> |>
> |>All the media is the same. All versions of Vista (either 32 bit or 64
> bit,
> |>each has their own media) are on the media. What is installed depends on
> the
> |>product key you enter. As far as I know the upgrade media is the same as
> the
> |>full media. The only difference is the key that is supplied.
> |>
> |>--
> |>Kerry Brown
> |>Microsoft MVP - Shell/User
> |>http://www.vistahelp.ca
> |>
> |>
> |>"Nigel Molesworth" <reply@thegroup-emailinvalid.com> wrote in message
> |>newspcfq2pjetdrm8ngukqc54ab6m438il35c@4ax.com...
> |>> On Fri, 12 Jan 2007 06:30:29 -0800, "Jeff Gaines"
> |>> <whitedragon@newsgroups.nospam> wrote:
> |>>
> |>>>>Yikes! So what happens if your HD dies and you need to re-install,
> |>>>>surely you don't have to install an older version first!
> |>>>
> |>>>Oh yes you do :-(
> |>>
> |>> So back to my original question. Could you use a full copy to do a new
> |>> install, but use the key from the appropriate upgrade version?
> |>>
> |>> --
> |>> Nigel M
> |>
> |>
>

On 12/01/2007 in message
<0B5B316C-4211-4D33-B1FE-BED55E51A447@microsoft.com> Jeff Daly wrote:

>So if I want to do a "clean installation" I have to reformat my drive, use
>the inane "recovery disks", delete all the AOL and other crap that
>automatically loads and THEN install Vista????

You do if you buy an upgrade version of Vista. You could avoid it by
buying a full version.

--
Jeff Gaines

Not sure why you think you have to uninstall anything. A clean install is a
clean install. You only lay down the Vista image. Then you reinstall
anything you want to (or are able to)

"Jeff Daly" <jeff_daly (@) hotmail (dot) com> wrote in message
news:0B5B316C-4211-4D33-B1FE-BED55E51A447@microsoft.com...
> So if I want to do a "clean installation" I have to reformat my drive, use
> the inane "recovery disks", delete all the AOL and other crap that
> automatically loads and THEN install Vista????
>
>
> ""Darrell Gorter[MSFT]"" <Darrellg@online.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:O$zb15mNHHA.2300@TK2MSFTNGHUB02.phx.gbl...
>> Hello,
>> That is correct. The media is the same, the behavior is different
>> depending on whether you use an upgrade key or a full product.
>> Thanks,
>> Darrell Gorter[MSFT]
>>
>> This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
>> rights
>> --------------------
>> |>From: "Kerry Brown" <kerry@kdbNOSPAMsys-tems.c*a*m>
>> |>References: <ltgeq21t1cnjellpnqhh37f7fkefup0lr6@4ax.com>
>> <e4dvUnjNHHA.4916@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl>
>> <3f5fq2pju1h6mmrgv17nhfn4c5c6t0veb4@4ax.com>
>> <xn0f14iiy6e7ps002@msnews.microsoft.com>
>> <opcfq2pjetdrm8ngukqc54ab6m438il35c@4ax.com>
>> |>In-Reply-To: <opcfq2pjetdrm8ngukqc54ab6m438il35c@4ax.com>
>> |>Subject: Re: Vista Product Keys?
>> |>Date: Fri, 12 Jan 2007 08:49:02 -0800
>> |>Lines: 27
>> |>MIME-Version: 1.0
>> |>Content-Type: text/plain;
>> |> format=flowed;
>> |> charset="iso-8859-1";
>> |> reply-type=original
>> |>Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
>> |>X-Priority: 3
>> |>X-MSMail-Priority: Normal
>> |>X-Newsreader: Microsoft Windows Mail 6.0.6000.16386
>> |>X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.0.6000.16386
>> |>Message-ID: <uuwhWmmNHHA.4376@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl>
>> |>Newsgroups: microsoft.public.windows.vista.installation_setup
>> |>NNTP-Posting-Host: s01060080c8133852.vn.shawcable.net 24.82.123.204
>> |>Path: TK2MSFTNGHUB02.phx.gbl!TK2MSFTNGP01.phx.gbl!TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl
>> |>Xref: TK2MSFTNGHUB02.phx.gbl
>> microsoft.public.windows.vista.installation_setup:2196
>> |>X-Tomcat-NG: microsoft.public.windows.vista.installation_setup
>> |>
>> |>All the media is the same. All versions of Vista (either 32 bit or 64
>> bit,
>> |>each has their own media) are on the media. What is installed depends
>> on
>> the
>> |>product key you enter. As far as I know the upgrade media is the same
>> as
>> the
>> |>full media. The only difference is the key that is supplied.
>> |>
>> |>--
>> |>Kerry Brown
>> |>Microsoft MVP - Shell/User
>> |>http://www.vistahelp.ca
>> |>
>> |>
>> |>"Nigel Molesworth" <reply@thegroup-emailinvalid.com> wrote in message
>> |>newspcfq2pjetdrm8ngukqc54ab6m438il35c@4ax.com...
>> |>> On Fri, 12 Jan 2007 06:30:29 -0800, "Jeff Gaines"
>> |>> <whitedragon@newsgroups.nospam> wrote:
>> |>>
>> |>>>>Yikes! So what happens if your HD dies and you need to re-install,
>> |>>>>surely you don't have to install an older version first!
>> |>>>
>> |>>>Oh yes you do :-(
>> |>>
>> |>> So back to my original question. Could you use a full copy to do a
>> new
>> |>> install, but use the key from the appropriate upgrade version?
>> |>>
>> |>> --
>> |>> Nigel M
>> |>
>> |>
>>
>