I need info on Vista please

[Robscure]

I have a few options... I'm confused due to similarity and prices...

(£49) Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium w/SP1 - Upgrade package - 1 PC - EDU - DVD - English International

(£121) Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium - Upgrade package - 1 PC - DVD - English International

(£134) Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium w/SP1 - Complete package - 1 PC - DVD - English International

I'm buying a brand new computer, so I want to install a clean version of Vista 64-bit...

Are these 32 or 64? Or do they contain both?

The obvious choice is the cheapest one, but I don't know why they would have more expensive ones unless there's some sort of disadvantage to the cheaper one, etc...

I read a way to install Vista upgrade the same as the complete package, I don't know if it actually works, or still works... If the £49 version is identical to the other two, then I will buy it... but I don't know which one to get because there must be some sort of catch!

Thanks

[Funkstar]

Cheapest one is the Educational license, so you need to be a student or teacher to use it. It is also an upgrade

The second one is just an upgrade for everyone to use.

The last one is the full blown license so doesn't need XP or any other previous version of windows to upgrade from.

Someone can correct me if i'm wrong, but I believe all three will come with 32bit and 64bit versions in the box.

[Robscure]

Cheapest one is the Educational license, so you need to be a student or teacher to use it. It is also an upgrade

The second one is just an upgrade for everyone to use.

The last one is the full blown license so doesn't need XP or any other previous version of windows to upgrade from.

Someone can correct me if i'm wrong, but I believe all three will come with 32bit and 64bit versions in the box.

Thanks for the reply...

How does the OS know whether I'm a Student or not? What confirmation process is there? Thanks

[burtie]

If your buying pc parts then this copy should do you.

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Micro...t-1Pk-OEM-(DVD)

[Robscure]

How does the student version verify that I'm a student or not?

Thanks

[Funkstar]

How does the OS know whether I'm a Student or not? What confirmation process is there? Thanks

It doesn't, it's all about licensing. When you install it you accept the EULA which will state the requirements for running that particular version of the software. This will most likely say you will need to be a student, so by accepting that license when you aren't you are effectively breaking the law as you don't have the right to use that software at that price.

It's really a question of morrals and consience

[Robscure]

It doesn't, it's all about licensing. When you install it you accept the EULA which will state the requirements for running that particular version of the software. This will most likely say you will need to be a student, so by accepting that license when you aren't you are effectively breaking the law as you don't have the right to use that software at that price.

It's really a question of morrals and consience

Okay, I was just wondering because I couldn't see how they could possibly do that.

I'm a student but I don't remember receiving a Student License Key lol

Thanks

[Dreaming]

If you are a student you can get windows server 2008 which is vista without aero afaik for free!

[Dreaming]

https://www.dreamspark.com/default.aspx

edit: you do get aero with server 08.

http://www.itwriting.com/blog/596-vi...mparisons.html

[Robscure]

https://www.dreamspark.com/default.aspx

Thanks, but what is "aero afaik"?

[Funkstar]

Aero is the fancy 3D graphics part of Vista.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Aero

AFAIK = As Far As I Know.

Running 2008 as a desktop OS could cause problems with some apps and because it is a server OS, things like anti virus and firewalls want to charge you a fortune because they think you are a business. Some drivers can have issues, but there are hacks to get round that, although I hear these loopholes have been closed in SP1.

In my opinion it always sounded more hastle than it was worth.

[Robscure]

Aero is the fancy 3D graphics part of Vista.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Aero

AFAIK = As Far As I Know.

Okay... How can I install that on a clean computer which doesn't have an OS on it?

Don't I need an OS on my pc in order to boot?

I would have to be online to download the iso... Unless I'm supposed to download it and burn it onto a CD from another computer... Is that the only way?

[Dreaming]

I would assume so. Vista x64 is fairly cheap though. I bought Vista two years ago so the cost to me is £20 a year or something, whereas if you bought now it would be more expensive. Anyway, it was only a suggestion as I remembered someone mentioning it to me.

If you are buying a brand new computer, either get it preinstalled or buy the OEM Vista Home Prem x64 pack with it which costs aroudn £60 IIRC.

[directhex]

I would have to be online to download the iso... Unless I'm supposed to download it and burn it onto a CD from another computer... Is that the only way?

Yep.

[Robscure]

I would assume so. Vista x64 is fairly cheap though. I bought Vista two years ago so the cost to me is £20 a year or something, whereas if you bought now it would be more expensive. Anyway, it was only a suggestion as I remembered someone mentioning it to me.

If you are buying a brand new computer, either get it preinstalled or buy the OEM Vista Home Prem x64 pack with it which costs aroudn £60 IIRC.

Well instead of buying the OEM, I can buy the EDU for £9 more... so I think I'll do that.

Maybe if I upgrade in the future I can use that site you mentioned, I bookmarked it on my laptop..

Thanks a lot

[Splash]

As you're a student it might be worth taking a look at www.theultimatesteal.co.uk as you can get the Ultimate upgrade for £40.95. The upgrade can allegedly be installed standalone using a method widely available on the internets, and this is apparently something that Microsoft are happy about (though I haven't used it)