question about windows upgrade discs...

[Icaras]

Alright, so I fully plan on installing windows on my MBP, and I'm thinking of getting vista. I have a legit copy of Windows XP, but it was an upgrade version. My original plan was to install a fresh copy of vista. So if I were to go out and buy the "upgrade" copy of Vista, would I be able to simple pop that in the MBP and install it? Or would I have to first install XP, then upgrade to the vista? I feel like installing windows twice over is quite an inconvience. I hope theres a way where I can just input the cd key of XP to validate my ownership of Windows??

 

[stainlessliquid]

you can get an OEM copy for less than a retail upgrade that will let you do a clean install

 

[Icaras]

I'm sorry for the noobish question, but what exactly are OEM versions, and how do they compare with retail versions?

I just want to know if I can go out, buy the upgrade copy of Vista, and do a clean install from that disc without having to install XP first, or having to buy the full version of vista (which would suck and be a waste of money)

Anyone know?

 

[jayhawk11]

OEM copies are designed for system builders. *Technically* you are only supposed to use them if you're building a new system from the ground up. Same idea as Dell or HP, just on a small scale (e.g.-one disc instead of 10,000)


But feel free to use an OEM copy. They're friggin cheap. Newegg has them for about $100: Vista Home Premium 64 Bit OEM

Hope that helps

 

[Icaras]

Thanks! That did help a lot. So how is the install procedure for these OEM discs? Will it just ask for my XP number to validate I am previous windows owner?

 

[stainlessliquid]

oem's are full versions and not upgrades, theyre the same disc you buy at the store but without the retail packaging.

 

[Icaras]

oem's are full versions and not upgrades, theyre the same disc you buy at the store but without the retail packaging.

Oh i see, so if they are so cheap, I am guessing the downside to an OEM disc is that you can't ever install it again on another machine?

 

[steveza]

Oh i see, so if they are so cheap, I am guessing the downside to an OEM disc is that you can't ever install it again on another machine?

That's the catch. You can reinstall it as many times as you like so long as you use the same machine you installed it on first.

 

[Icaras]

That's the catch. You can reinstall it as many times as you like so long as you use the same machine you installed it on first.

Got it. Thank you very much. So I assume it analyzes your machine and knows whats in it. Upgrading RAM shouldn't confuse the OEM, would it?

 

[steveza]

Got it. Thank you very much. So I assume it analyzes your machine and knows whats in it. Upgrading RAM shouldn't confuse the OEM, would it?

When you activate XP it takes some sort of hardware snapshot - probably just looks at the motherboard and CPU type - then if you start it up on different hardware it will ask to activate again. I have never seen it ask for re-activation after a memory upgrade.

 

[wgilles]

If it does, just do phone activation, works every time