Hi people

I am currently upgrading my laptop, new HDD, more memory etc etc...

I want to change the OS to Vista, so is the OEM ok to buy for myself? I thought it was just for companies to use who build machines?

Vista Home premium is

Yes, it's fine

why do you want to go to vista? most people are trying to go back to xp :P

Hello Ben

Yes it is fine to buy OEM version the only limitation is that it is supposed to be run on one pc only,in comparison to the Retail edition which can be installed on more than one pc(which also costs considerably more)

Hello Ben

Yes it is fine to buy OEM version the only limitation is that it is supposed to be run on one pc only,in comparison to the Retail edition which can be installed on more than one pc(which also costs considerably more)

Thanks, I'll get myself a copy then.

why do you want to go to vista? most people are trying to go back to xp :P

I have a new laptop arriving tomorrow with vista and I think the first thing I'll do is wipe and install XP .

From what I've seen of vista, loads of the programs I want to use won't work :thumbdwn: :( .

May actually be tempted to purchase an OEM XP pro disc and go legit too............ (And before anyone says it I have access to some "spare" xp pro keys from win2k machines so there!)

I wouldn't bother with Vista. Never seen it do anything other than turn a fast machine slow.

I got a free upgrade with my XP laptop. I think I lasted about 2 hours with it if that. Even though it was an official HP disk for the laptop half of the drivers still didn't work. Slow as a very slow thing and very frustrating to use.

Vista ME is the general name for it. If you remember how bad ME was you wouldn't want to touch Vista for a long while.

Vista SP1 is in the pipeline so if you realy wanted it you'd be better to wait on that.

XP SP3 is just round the corner too.

Try Ubuntu if you want to go for something new.

PS - OEM is fine for what you are planning but it needs to be bought with a component of some sort i.e. at the same time as your HD etc.

Ben, Whats the laptop processor and what chipset based on?

I now have no traces of XP at home at all, all pcs are now running vista, either home premium or ultimate (all legit). They have all been installed from OEM DVD's.

I have no issues with Vista at all, and have yet to find something that doesnt work, all our hardware is fairly recent. The O/S is perfectly stable, its just that some third party drivers are ropey and you cant blame microsoft for that.

Vista is now just short of 12 months old, and we may well be rolling the next batch of pcs out at work with vista.

My old P3 laptop is running Ubuntu.

Ben, Whats the laptop processor and what chipset based on?

I now have no traces of XP at home at all, all pcs are now running vista, either home premium or ultimate (all legit). They have all been installed from OEM DVD's.

I have no issues with Vista at all, and have yet to find something that doesnt work, all our hardware is fairly recent. The O/S is perfectly stable, its just that some third party drivers are ropey and you cant blame microsoft for that.

Vista is now just short of 12 months old, and we may well be rolling the next batch of pcs out at work with vista.

My old P3 laptop is running Ubuntu.

This is actually where I may come unstuck...

The laptop is about 2 - 3 years old and running an Intel Centrino Processor (not dual core) at 1.733MHz, not sure what the chipset is, I can have a look when I get home.

There will be 2Gb of RAM & 120Gb HDD

Is is not possible to change the Processor on a laptop?

HTH

Ben

it is possible.. but is it worth the bother?

I have to agree with all the comments about Vista, its a terrible OS that is being literally forced onto people, i wonder if the likes of PC world didn't pre load all its pieces of junk with vista whether it would have half the users it does.

I have found nothing but annoyances with vista, the interface is a logistical nightmare!!

This is actually where I may come unstuck...

The laptop is about 2 - 3 years old and running an Intel Centrino Processor (not dual core) at 1.733MHz, not sure what the chipset is, I can have a look when I get home.

There will be 2Gb of RAM & 120Gb HDD

Is is not possible to change the Processor on a laptop?

HTH

Ben

Ben,

That should be fine for Vista, the standard centrino cpu is pretty good.

I find the user interface easier to get along with than XP, and as games start being released for DX10, which is not available and never will be for XP the vista takeup will increase. Its the same story for business apps that are starting to make use of aero.