Windows Vista number of licenses

[kellen]

Hey everyone,

Just installed windows vista ultima edition onto my HP lappy and then my new macbook (to take advantage of the t-mobile hotspot offer, free internet in places, ie starbucks, for 2 months if using vista).

Well it seems my product key is only good for one account, not the 5+ I was thinking (for 300+ I would hope it would be more than one user). I go to authenticate and it tells me that my product key is already used.

So is there any other means than buying a new edition?
What happens when my install doesn't verify through windows?
Am I wrong in that there are more licenses for ultimate editions?

Any suggestions?

I hate to complain as I got the windows vista ultimate for only 45 through a friend at microsoft, but to pay more the for the ability to boot into windows is ludicrous and not to mention that I ordered a 160 GB Hard drive so I could put 30 or 40 GB to windows.

Thanks in advance.

 

[bearbo]

there's one licence... no matter how unjustified you feel.

 

[Nermal]

Bearbo is correct. You've only bought one licence, and are only entitled to use it on one computer. There are "bigger" licences (I have a 10-computer one) but they cost significantly more.

 

[kellen]

Thanks for the info. Its not that I feel that I have been ripped off, but more that I am going to be sharing my use of Vista between two computers and ASSUMED (my fault) that it could happen with the purchase of ultimate.

Guess I will have to just buy another copy of ultimate from my friend at MS, 90 for two copys of ultimate isn't the end of world.

To me it just seemed like the people who were putting XP/Vista on their Macs were doing so out of convenience, not necessity (gaming, that one program that wouldnt run on OSX, etc) and it seemed like alot for this convenience.

Well after doing more digging, I saw that I can get an add on license for vista for 49.99. Although after reading the fine print, it seems that it is computer specific, not tied to the operator (the person who holds the key).

Anyone else see any other way to go about this? Just seems like the earlier versions of XP were easier to install on multiple comps or there was a multi-license availability with the purchase of XP. Then again the last time I upgraded to XP was with a new computer in college and back then i didn't have multiple comps (early alzheimers?).

 

[EricNau]

Well after doing more digging, I saw that I can get an add on license for vista for 49.99. Although after reading the fine print, it seems that it is computer specific, not tied to the operator (the person who holds the key).

Keep in mind, that additional license is for Home Premium, not Ultimate. Link.

 

[kellen]

Well from what I read it seems to say if you have the ultimate version, you can purchase more licenses for family,

from the website:
Once you purchase the Windows Vista Ultimate retail boxed product, you can go online to order product keys for up to two additional Windows Vista upgrades. Then use the Windows Vista software disc you already have to update your other home computers on the spot.

Seems like they mix upgrading to ultimate from the premium version and adding licenses onto the ulitmate edition onto one page. Microsoft, misleading? Not clear? No way! .

Lemme know if I am wrong in reading this, but that is the jist I get from it.

-Kellen

 

[clevin]

I hate to complain as I got the windows vista ultimate for only 45 through a friend at microsoft, but to pay more the for the ability to boot into windows is ludicrous and not to mention that I ordered a 160 GB Hard drive so I could put 30 or 40 GB to windows.

Thanks in advance.

$45?!! u can get another one from him, $90 for two copies of vista ultimate, I would do it for sure.

 

[bearbo]

$45?!! u can get another one from him, $90 for two copies of vista ultimate, I would do it for sure.

i know... that's what i was thinking, i wouldn't mind at all of getting 2 copies for $90... care to hook us fellow members up with our friend from MS?

 

[kellen]

Would if I could, but even he has a limit. Employees get 1200 to spend in the store (discount price), so I hate using up ~100 just for vista. Probably easier to get a license.

Nice to have a friend who works there, got Office for Mac for 50 and he can get games (PC and Xbox) cheap as well.