Windows Vista Ultimate Upgrade on Mac OSX?

[Barricuda]

Ok, so I've been wanting to install Windows on my white Macbook to use some windows only applications, but I've been holding off since I couldnt afford buying a copy of Windows. Now microsoft has come out with a student offer to buy the Windows Vista Ultimate (yeah I know.... its the reason I switched to mac) Upgrade for pretty cheap. I dont have an older version of Windows to install and use the upgrade version on top of that. But I see that you can use the Windows upgrade version even on the MAc OS.

So my question is: Can I partition my disk (using bootcamp maybe?) and install Mac OSX in the new parition using the discs that came with my macbook.... and then install the Windows Vista upgrade on top of that to get my Windows on Mac?

Sorry if I made it sound more confusing than it actually is... thanks in advance for your help and responses...

-N

 

[r.j.s]

In short, no.

You can technically use the upgrade to install Vista into the BootCamp partition without a previous version of windows, but I will not go into how.

You can't "upgrade" from OS X to Vista, in any way, shape or form.

 

[Barricuda]

You can technically use the upgrade to install Vista into the BootCamp partition without a previous version of windows, but I will not go into how.

Is that illegal or just painful to explain? Will googling about it help?

Thanks for your quick response.

 

[r.j.s]

I don't think it is blatantly illegal, but not clearly legal either. It doesn't involve hacking, just fooling the computer into thinking that it is upgrading.

 

[Barricuda]

I don't think it is blatantly illegal, but not clearly legal either. It doesn't involve hacking, just fooling the computer into thinking that it is upgrading.

Awesome! thanks.... still confused why the 'Systems Requirements' in microsoft website includes Apple Mac OS as one of the operating systems to use the Windows Vista upgrade on

 

[DeaconGraves]

Just FYI:

Last year I bought a copy of Vista Ultimate though my university (at a cheap rate which sounds similar to yours). Though the order form said "upgrade only" and the disk itself says "For Upgrade Use Only", I figured I'd go ahead and grab it, as at worse I would be out 30 bucks, and could give the copy to my sister.

So I gave it a shot, ran boot camp and partitioned my drive, and started the installation. The disc allowed me to do clean install with no problems.

Not sure if I just lucked out or not, or if all the Student Media versions are full retail copies, but it might be worth trying if the student deal is cheap enough...

 

[ab2650]

I'd give it a go, depending on what the cost of Vista is. I'm predicating this entirely on the offer stating that "OS X" is considered acceptable to upgrade from.

I'd put my money on doing a "fresh install" with Boot Camp will work just fine. I guess if MS were really trying to make sure it's an upgrade it would want to write over OS X entirely, but I can't see them being this detailed in their installer software.

Just to be safe, as you always should, make a full backup before you make operating system changes. Good luck, and I guess I should check with my wife's university if they have a good deal.

 

[Barricuda]

Microsoft is selling the Vista Ultimate Upgrade for CAD$70 to students in Canada....

http://www.microsoft.com/student/discounts/theultimatesteal-ca/default.aspx ... see under Additional products

 

[DeaconGraves]

Microsoft is selling the Vista Ultimate Upgrade for CAD$70 to students in Canada....

http://www.microsoft.com/student/discounts/theultimatesteal-ca/default.aspx ... see under Additional products

EDIT: Nevermind, I didn't click on terms and conditions

I'd say you're in the clear. I'm guessing that Microsoft is selling you an upgrade "license" as opposed to an upgrade disc.

Just FYI though, it looks like that they are selling a downloadable version, with a disc version for $13. I'd get the disc version just for the sake of having a copy to do a reinstall if needed, not to mention whether Boot Camp will play well with a download version.

 

[Barricuda]

Well that's Office ultimate. So, no, you won't be able to install just that through bootcamp.

Windows Vista Ultimate Upgrade is listed under "Additional Products"

 

[chrismusaf]

Has anyone gotten this to work? I'm looking at the Ultimate Steal page and it says you can upgrade from Mac OS. It says "clean install" though. Does that mean a clean Boot Camp install? Do I need the disk? I don't think I'll be able to burn the download to a disk...

 

[The Flashing Fi]

First of all, please provide a link where MS says you can upgrade from Mac OS X? I have yet to actually see it.

This is from MS's official upgrade site, and I don't see Mac OS X listed anywhere:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-vista/get/upgrade-your-pc-options.aspx

Second of all, does anyone know how to use Google?

http://www.google.com/search?source...&btnG=Google+Search&aq=0&oq=Use+Vista+upgrade

There's about 850,000 results.

 

[Wolfpup]

I sure wish my univisity provided cheap copies of Windows (and Office) I would have upgraded years ago if I could get a copy for $30.

And that would be a riot if Microsoft counted OS X as one of the operating systems you could upgrade from.

 

[The Flashing Fi]

I sure wish my univisity provided cheap copies of Windows (and Office) I would have upgraded years ago if I could get a copy for $30.

And that would be a riot if Microsoft counted OS X as one of the operating systems you could upgrade from.

You can go on the ultimatesteal website (google it) and get Vista Ultimate upgrade for 65 bucks (USD).

 

[Wolfpup]

Thanks, but I don't qualify Oh well, at least I can get the full version for $99 (for Vista anyway).

 

[The Flashing Fi]

Thanks, but I don't qualify Oh well, at least I can get the full version for $99 (for Vista anyway).

If you're in college, you should qualify.

 

[ab2650]

You can go on the ultimatesteal website (google it) and get Vista Ultimate upgrade for 65 bucks (USD).

I looked at the ultimate deal site and didn't see any mention of OS X being considered an acceptable upgrade path. The OP is going to have to tell us where he found that (if you really care about legitimize licensing from MS)

 

[marklackey]

os x install option from ultimate steal website

 

[Wolfpup]

Weird if it's really true! Makes sense to do that though IMO. I'm sure they'll get some people switching to it (or at least buying a copy to run sometimes).

Though Ultimate is such a rip off. Hopefully it would include Home Premium.