Lo folks,

I have a legit RETAIL XP Pro version.

I want Vista, but am looking at prices and thought about the upgrade version.

Not a problem as i appreciate it will only upgrade, however my question is :

If, in the future (say a year) i need to reinstall vista - do i have to install XP then Vista or can i install Vista only and show it the XP disk as some MS products allow?

I hope this makes sense - if not let me know and i will clarify

Cheers.

IIRC with upgrade versions you have to install the pre operating system and then the upgrade after. so yes xp then vista.

So i'd be better selling XP then buying the fiull retail then for ease of install in the future?

Ive never sold an operating system, can this be done ?

Don't see why not, it is not registered in my name, merely activated on the PC, but because it's retail it can go on any PC hence reactivated.

Shouldn't be a problem. lol.

Yes it can be done as long as its not an OEM version. You just have to uninstall it off the pc first.

See here:

XP FAQ

it possibly might just ask for an XP license key when you install Vista fresh

Whenever I've installed an upgrade version there was no need to actually install the first OS. You'll just be prompted to insert the CD during the install process to confirm it's a valid upgrade path.

Whenever I've installed an upgrade version there was no need to actually install the first OS. You'll just be prompted to insert the CD during the install process to confirm it's a valid upgrade path.

This is actually what i thought. Or at least hoped.

Cheapest route is to buy an OEM version of Vista. Much cheaper than the upgrades. Ebuyer have some at good prices inc.VAT

Home Basic -

Appears I was wrong - it's all change with Vista...clicky

I'm going the same route as VrsMad, and getting an OEM version

I will be going OEM vista once the first good DC10 games start coming out, but not before.

Well Vista is here at last...

Im still happy to report that my RTM version that i got on in december is still working like a charm

Well Vista is here at last...

Im still happy to report that my RTM version that i got on in december is still working like a charm

Won't be come June

I'm in the same situation, still using my RTM version. Will get an eBuyer OEM when I get my next pay.

Want Ultimate but

OEM is no good for me - i would hate to buy it then change PC and have to buy it again.

Only running a P4 Hyper threading 3.2Ghz Skt 775 - so at some point this will need changed.

Well, I will be buying the OEM version. Nice fresh install on my current P4 3.0 machine, when I upgrade its motherboard I will just activate it again on another install. If that fails, all you have to do is phone MS on the number that pops up, tell them the syetem builder had to replace the motherboard and because the original one is now obsolete its a brand new one in the same box, and away you go.

Even if you had to buy the OEM version again, at the moment it's 1/3 the price of the boxed edition (Home Premium OEM = £67.25 inc vat, Home Premium Retail = £196.22 so you'd still be better off getting the OEM version ... unless you plan to take advantage of your two free support incidents with retail version.... or have a pretty-box fetish

Well, I will be buying the OEM version. Nice fresh install on my current P4 3.0 machine, when I upgrade its motherboard I will just activate it again on another install. If that fails, all you have to do is phone MS on the number that pops up, tell them the syetem builder had to replace the motherboard and because the original one is now obsolete its a brand new one in the same box, and away you go.

Hmm interesting.

Is this true - they'll give you another activation.

Might be saving me some cash here cheers.

Hmm interesting.

Is this true - they'll give you another activation.

Might be saving me some cash here cheers.

If you move the licence to a new machine you are in breach of the licence. I have never done this as parts of the PC are just upgraded over time.

Upgrading the mainboard as described above should be ok thou. Vista activation is supposed to be more tolerant to change that XP but I would suspect that you would need to still need to get on the phone for a full Motherboard + CPU + RAM upgrade.

I have an OEM licence of XP which s still live and I think nearly every part of the PC has been upgraded since purchase of the licence. (Apart from the floppy drive the licence was purchased with)