Upgrade with just a key? Biz to Ultimate...

[fhussar]

Hello, I'm new to the site, and anxious to receive and answer to this question;
I have Business installed, and I'm wanting to upgrade to Ultimate. I have the DVD for Business, and an Ultimate key, but when I attempt an upgrade with the DVD, it tells the upgrade option is out. I've read a few things about simply changing the key, but I'm still fuzzy on that method. Anyone shed some light on how to accomplish this?

 

[Brink]

Hello Fhussar, and welcome to Vista Forums.

You will need to start the Vista Ultimate installation from within Vista Business to upgrade to Ultimate instead. During installation, you would then enter your Ultimate key number.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[fhussar]

thanks Brink. I actually have attempted my upgrade from within Business, entered the new Ultimate product key, and this is where I see the upgrade option grayed out, and disabled. I've read some forum posts ( not here) where they claim that all one needs to do is use "Change Product Key" from the Systems Info page, but I'm reluctant. My install of Business used the method of not including the key during the initial install, then including it on the subsequent install, allowing a fresh stand-alone install for dual-boot purposes, rather than an upgrade from my XP Pro drive.
Would removing the Service Pack 2 from my Business drive allow the upgrade to proceed?

 

[Dwarf]

Would removing the Service Pack 2 from my Business drive allow the upgrade to proceed?

This is probably where your problem lies. SP2 replaced and updated many system files. As a result, you will not be able to upgrade to Ultimate using a DVD that doesn't have SP2 preintegrated unless you uninstall SP2 from your system first.

My recommendation is that you backup all important data (check that your backup works before going any further) and install Vista Ultimate as a clean installation using the method you previously used to install Business. This would also eliminate problems caused by erroneous entries in the registry, and would ensure that you have as trouble-free a system as possible. You can then install SP2, the updates, and your applications (which would need reinstalling anyway). Your user data can then be restored from the backup.

 

[fhussar]

thanks dwarf...I'll need to give that a shot - the backup is already made...forgive me if this is the wrong place for this question, but I see that you're running W7 RC...any tips on how to load that onto my netbook?...you know, no optical drive......

 

[Dwarf]

Hi fhussar,

Have a look at this Tutorial Install Windows 7 FAST without a DVD or USB device - Windows 7 Forums from our sister forum. If you register, you can also reply to this Tutorial if you are having any problems with it and Baarod (its creator) or some other knowledgeable person will be able to assist you. Unfortunately, I cannot because I have had no experience of using this method (memo to self: Perhaps one day).