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    Dell Reinstall disc as AnyTime Upgrade? (using it to upgrade from basic to ultimate)

    Discussion in 'Dell' started by kogaht, Dec 18, 2007.

  1. kogaht

    kogaht Notebook Enthusiast

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    Can I format my pre-install window vista basic, then can i install ultimate using the dell's vista basic disc ?

    the question: is it possibly using the dell's vista basic disc to install vista ultimate?
     
    kogaht, Dec 18, 2007
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  2. kogaht

    kogaht Notebook Enthusiast

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    Or even upgrade it without formatting?
     
    kogaht, Dec 18, 2007
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  3. Greg

    Greg Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Sounds like you're trying to sneak your way into something you didn't pay for...

    EDIT: In response to a PM...

    You should have told us you had a separate Ultimate license...

    Anyway, you'll probably need a regular Vista Anytime Upgrade DVD...I'm not sure if those reinstall CDs are just rebadged Vista discs or some oddball 'special' disc that can only install one thing.

    For those thinking you'd be able to hack into a different OS version (not the OP), I highly doubt it would work as you'd probably be forced into a non-so-pre-activated installation...no key...no activation :D

    To the OP: you would have to reinstall, you may not have to reformat though. Depends on what that disc does.
     
    Greg, Dec 18, 2007
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  4. kogaht

    kogaht Notebook Enthusiast

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    I have tried to put the reinstall disc in my dell and there is an option that you can upgrade but I didn't and quit as I haven't backup anything yet.

    Do you have any ideas what that upgrade might be?
     
    kogaht, Dec 18, 2007
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  5. billcsho

    billcsho Notebook Deity

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    You just need to supply the right key during installation for different editions of Vista. They are all on the re-installation DVD no matter what it is labeled for default version. Nevertheless, it is not legal if you do not have a license for that version.
     
    billcsho, Dec 18, 2007
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  6. kogaht

    kogaht Notebook Enthusiast

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    and one last thing, so if i insert the disk, format my dell laptop, and reinstall window (assume I am using an ultimate key).

    Would it automatically install Ultimate or Basic? How does it know which to install?

    and does anyone have pics to prove it (I don't want to reinstall Basic when i am using basic)
     
    kogaht, Dec 18, 2007
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  7. SethKinast

    SethKinast Newbie

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    Look for the "Windows Anytime Upgrade" logo on the disc (a CD with a swoosh). If the disc has this, it contains bits for all versions of Windows and will ask you which kind you'd like to install from a fresh install, or allow you to upgrade your existing installation.

    Discs without this logo are OEM discs that are keyed to whatever version they are with no upgrade possibility.
     
    SethKinast, Dec 18, 2007
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  8. lightner

    lightner Newbie

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    I did the Windows Anytime upgrade with the Dell OEM CD and it worked fine. There is no "Windows Anytime Upgrade" logo on the disk. When prompted for a disk, I put the "Reinstallation DVD Windows Vista Home Basic 32 Bit" in, selected "setup," and then "install" when prompted, and it upgraded to Premium with no problem. Took about 2 hours. Looks like they are ending the online Windows Anytime upgrades/digital product key distributions after Feb 20, 2008. Too bad.

    ____________________________
    Dell Vostro 1500
     
    lightner, Feb 13, 2008
    #8