Win Vista Upgrade Edition - Fresh Install possible ?

[Sinizter]

Actually MS can rest happy that I am buying the software and not pirating it.

I find it perfectly moral to install my software with a fresh install.

My interpretation of an upgrade license is that you need to own a previous version of Windows to upgrade to the latest version - So that you are paying a reduced cost to upgrade - like a trade-in. NOT THAT YOU HAVE TO INSTALL OVER A COPY OF THE SOFTWARE ...

That is the my point. I stand by my interpretation - In this case perfectly validated by a method MS saw fit to allow on their software.

[Splash]

Again, there's a difference between software and license. Regardless of workarounds (which this clearly is, given that if you use this method there is no way to verify if you have a legit license to upgrade from) and UPGRADE should be used to UPGRADE your current install. Previously Microsoft have used different ways to validate that you have a legit license that is eligible for upgrade however this seems to bypass any check for that.

I'm not saying you should burn in hell or anything like that - merely that if Microsoft were to decide that anyone using this method to install Windows they really couldn't have reason to complain if they (Microsoft) were to decide that you had broken the ToS and disabled your copy of Windows. Your version is an upgrade, not to be clean installed on a new machine.

EDIT - and I still see no reason why the mods should close the thread.

[Sinizter]

EDIT - and I still see no reason why the mods should close the thread.

Fair enough ... For a bit it looked it was going to go down in flames, but it seemed to have remained a decent discussion.

[Sinizter]

If Microsoft were to decide that anyone using this method to install Windows they really couldn't have reason to complain if they (Microsoft) were to decide that you had broken the ToS and disabled your copy of Windows. Your version is an upgrade, not to be clean installed on a new machine.

If they did, I would moan for a bit, then proceed with a reinstall of XP followed by Vista. But as long as they allow it, I will use it.

[Splash]

Another point is that if you use the proper upgrade route it consumes your WinXP license as far as I'm aware...

[Sinizter]

Another point is that if you use the proper upgrade route it consumes your WinXP license as far as I'm aware...

It really doesnt matter. They only store this activation stuff for about 3 months. If you pop it into another PC after 3 months, it will activate on the internet straightaway. It works for XP Pro & Home.

And I am pretty sure you could get it activated over the phone if you had the original serial key.

[ikonia]

I wasn't aware activation was stored for 3 months ? none of my experiences suggest that it is.

[Sinizter]

I wasn't aware activation was stored for 3 months ? none of my experiences suggest that it is.

You cant re-activate the same key on a different computer over the internet within a few days ... In my experience anyway.

Whereas within 3m (time given by MS) the data is reset, so after that time you can activate another computer with the same serial.

[ikonia]

I'd personally differ on that, as I've had trouble activing a legitimate key on the same computer with no hardware changes after about 9 months.

[Splash]

I'd like to see a source for the 3 months, if you don't mind?

[Sinizter]

I'd like to see a source for the 3 months, if you don't mind?

It was a good few years ago ... So sorry no link.

And I have done it. When someone wanted to move to a different PC, used an OEM disk and it activated straightaway with same serial.

[redlight]

I will back Sinizter on moving OEMs i have done it several times on laptops of different manufacturer and on desktops. I have had to phone to activate I always tell them I have replaced the motherboard.

[ikonia]

ok - so that process works because you get something like 3 - 5 activations before phone support and when you call phone support you're telling them fibs, so your breaking the license to get it to work.

[Splash]

The more people breach the license with OEMs the more chance there is that activation is going to get more difficult...