Vista Purchase

[emul8]

Currently my parents are in the USA and because I am my family's personal IT support they said they will get me Vista ultimate whilst they are there.

I thought this would be a good idea as the price of vista is the equivalent of aprox £180 as opposed to £311 in the UK.

Just to be on the safe I was wondering if there are any issues with buying Vista in the US for use over here? (as a gift)

I was thinking on the lines of regional coding of the DVD or licence activation.

Also I think there is an offer on at the moment were you get a second copy for like $50

Any ideas?

[alsenior]

i dont think that there are any restrictions. but there might be

[directhex]

there MAY be issues with some software which will refuse to install on en_US copies of the operating system. i know i've seen threats to that effect on the back of some game boxes

[emul8]

i dont think that there are any restrictions. but there might be

So you are not sure

there MAY be issues with some software which will refuse to install on en_US copies of the operating system. i know i've seen threats to that effect on the back of some game boxes

Would that still apply if I install it as a UK local?

[CrazyMonkey]

Ive had no problems with US copies of XP Pro, cant see any problems with Vista.

[directhex]

So you are not sure



Would that still apply if I install it as a UK local?

you don't get the locale choice you think you do - you get regional settings choice.

[Agent]

Are the keys not interchangeable?
If so, you could just get UK media and use the key?

Never tried it, no idea...

[emul8]

Thanks for all the replies

Somebody is selling a retail version on eBay and a prospective buyer has asked what the origin code is!
Interesting question, is it important?

I have until the end of may to decide what to do!

[Dreaming]

Go OEM?

[emul8]

Go OEM?

The only thing with OEM is it needs activation each time you install and also there is talk of ms restricting the number of times it is activated

[directhex]

The only thing with OEM is it needs activation each time you install and also there is talk of ms restricting the number of times it is activated

talk talk talk

it's licensed for as many re installations as you like, as long as the motherboard remains the same

[emul8]

talk talk talk

it's licensed for as many re installations as you like, as long as the motherboard remains the same

And I have have had two in the past year

You have got to look long term this OS should be lasting me for 4 years plus.

[Dreaming]

Fair enough

When I get a new computer in 3 years or so I'll just buy another OEM copy, then I'm up to £140 which is still less than retail (and I've then got two machines on vista not one).

However, I might try and see how long I can manage because I expect in 2 - 3 years we'll see the next version of windows.

[emul8]

I think we are loosing sight of the original subject here

Currently my parents are in the US they have offered to purchase a copy of vista ultimate retail which includes 84x and 64x versions for an equivalent price of £180 there is also an offer at the moment which will grant me one or two extra licenses for the grand total of £26 each.

I wanted to know if there would be any problems of any kind if I bought a copy of vista ultimate retail in the US to use in the UK.

I have since found this thread Here

Quote
You may be interested to know that I asked Microsoft's representatives this very question around two months ago. They've just replied. So, to clarify, the official line from MS is that there's no reason, legal or technical, to stop you buying a copy of Vista in the USA or any other country (as long as it's a legit copy, obviously). Do remember that there's a Customs limit of some £150 on all goods brought back into the country, so you could in theory be stung for tax at Heathrow. It's pretty unlikely, though

[vinnyT]

They will be no probs using a vista cd brought in the US (or elsewhere) over here in the UK.

Tell your parents to discard the boxes, as these would use up too much room in the baggage (just remember to tell the to keep any barcodes, Nos, etc from the boxes, and mark which cd they are from, keep all the contents of the boxes), put the cds in a cd wallet and put it in the carry on luggage.

Chances are they won't be nabbed by customs, but keep all receipts, this way if they are charged import, vat, etc it will be based on the actual receipt, not on a No. made up in the officers head (which will be vastly inflated). If asked why the boxes were thrown away, it was just to save space in the luggage (a reasonable explaination).

Hope this helps.

[emul8]

Thank you VinnyT