Simple Vista Question.

I am not sure if this has been answered before, but here is my question.

What is the difference between an upgrade version of Vista and a regular version. Mainly I have two specific questions:

1) How many time can you install the two versions. I know there is a "system builders" version that only allows you to install it once. I want to be able to install multiple time like I do with XP as my hardware is always changing.

2) Would an upgrade version upgrade me from XP Home to Vista? Would I still be able to use XP Home on another computer.

Thanks!

 

The upgrade version requires a previous operating system be installed like XP or 2k whereas the full product allows you to install it without a previous OS installed. You can install it as many times as you want, but you can only activate it once per key. So if you want to put it on multiple machines, you'll need multiple keys. You should be able to keep re-installing it on the same machine. The upgrade will upgrade you from XP to Vista. Whether you can re-use you old copy of XP will depend on how you got. If it came with the a machine, it is likely not. All of this is governed by the End User License Agreement. You might want to brush up.

 

Also, with the system builders version you can re-install as many times as you like on the same computer so long as the hardware you change is not the motherboard. You may have to ring microsoft though to get another activiation code after upgrading hardware (or maybe not).

 

Thanks for the info. I best chat with MS before I decide anything. ZaZ, I bought my current version of XP, it wasn't preinstalled on any system.

 

Then you're in like flynn.

 

hmm, in like flynn...any reference to Matt Flynn; LSU's newly announced starting quarterback?

 

Awesome. So I can buy the upgrade and then still keep my copy of XP alive? Also, I could get this from an academic store for a lot cheaper. Is there any difference between the academic version and retail?

 

Did your laptop not come with XP?

 

For academic it is the Business version. You get basically all you need from Vista. The only thing I could want is the animated background that will be coming out for Ultimate but its a pretty small price to pay. I got 3 copies of Vista free from my school and still has an unused Vista N key lol. Got to love MSDN Academic Alliance.

 

uh - i do not think so. the minute u activate ur UPGRADE, u've lost ur XP, regardless of what previous ligit xp version u have

cheers ...

 

I believe you can install Vista without a key then use that to "upgrade" to Vista. You wont lose your XP then. I dont see why you would lose XP in the first place though.

 

Thanks for the help everyone.

ZaZ, this is actually for my desktop, I just figured it would be the same either way. I am going to keep XP on my laptop. When I built my desktop a few months ago, I had to buy XP even though Vista was around the corner because I didn't have any product keys left. Sorry for the confusion.