Vista Ultimate for £40

Phil99 · 2 Nov 2008 at 21:27

You need the exe that you can only get when you buy it via Ultimate Steal or other methods that provide an online delivery method.

Instructions for creating the image are here for anyone that has bought it online.

Vegeta · 9 Nov 2008 at 18:33

Right guys I have downloaded all three files, put them in the same folder and started the .exe.

Now after extracting for a bit I get a error message saying....

"Cannot extract Windows Vista Setup to your hard drive. Please ensure that you can create files and folders in the same folder where VistaSetupPrep.exe was downloaded.

Return to you digital locker for product support. View Purchase History and click on the support link for Windows Vista.

See http://g.msn.com/WHMFUSEN/102322 for more information.

What the hell?

Vegeta · 9 Nov 2008 at 18:41

Jesus ******* christ i've just done a bit of research and found out why it is not working.

Basically the .exe and files are intended to run on a 64bit system so thats why it's not upgrading from winxp 32bit to windows vista ultimate 64bit.

So basically microsoft expect you to upgrade from windows vista 64 to, thats right, windows vista 64bit, how daft can this get? What can I do now have I just bloody wasted my time and £40?

Phil99 · 9 Nov 2008 at 19:01

You can create an ISO based on the files downloaded, burn this to a DVD then install a fresh install without entering a serial. From this install you can then upgrade to Ultimate using your serial.

sutom · 9 Nov 2008 at 20:38

What about if you order the backup media and just wait and use that to install?
On XP Home SP3 here.

Has anyone definitely got the upgrade working? It's just I've read another thread about this deal on a different forum and basically everyone has had problems and nobody has reported they've successfully upgraded. Seems wierd, seeing as it's an official deal from MS.

Phil99 · 9 Nov 2008 at 20:40

I was fine going from my MSDN:AA Vista Business 64 -> Ultimate Steal Vista Ultimate 64

The serial wouldn't work with my MSDN disc though.

sutom · 9 Nov 2008 at 20:43

cool, well my family has 2 or 3 PCs to upgrade so I'll try one first and make sure it works

Vegeta · 9 Nov 2008 at 21:12

So dummies guide lads how do I go about installing Windows Vista Ultimate Upgrade when i'm currently on WIN XP 32bit.

Lanz · 10 Nov 2008 at 00:21

Vegeta said:
So dummies guide lads how do I go about installing Windows Vista Ultimate Upgrade when i'm currently on WIN XP 32bit.

Phil99 said:
You can create an ISO based on the files downloaded, burn this to a DVD then install a fresh install without entering a serial. From this install you can then upgrade to Ultimate using your serial.

Phil99 said:
Instructions for creating the image are here for anyone that has bought it online.

Final8y · 10 Nov 2008 at 06:13

Lanz said:
Microsoft encourages people to install the `trial` version, as many people who wouldn't go out and buy it, do actually buy it online once their month runs out. This is why they dont crack down on torrents of the iso's like other companies would do, you wont recieve emails from the BSA if you're IP address is on a Vista iso tracker. They unofficialy dont mind.

I installed a trial vista 64 HP on a custom build i did for a friend who was using a cracked XP install on his old set-up that was quirky at times & now he wants to buy vista once he gets back from his holiday.
That is now the second time that i have contributed in making a friend go from XP crack to legit Vista HP 64.

Vegeta · 10 Nov 2008 at 10:30

Lanz

If i could do that there would be no need for me to make the dvd, read the instructions and you will see why, namely step 2.

meghatronic · 14 Nov 2008 at 23:50

Phil99 said:
You can create an ISO based on the files downloaded, burn this to a DVD then install a fresh install without entering a serial. From this install you can then upgrade to Ultimate using your serial.

Just to clarify for my own stupidity, 1) create iso, 2) boot and install vista don't enter serial...

3) now do I install over this from within vista or using the bootable iso again?
4) do I enter a serial number here, or wait until afterwards and activate?

Lanz · 15 Nov 2008 at 13:47

meghatronic said:
Just to clarify for my own stupidity, 1) create iso, 2) boot and install vista don't enter serial...

3) now do I install over this from within vista or using the bootable iso again?
4) do I enter a serial number here, or wait until afterwards and activate?

1 and 2 correct.

3, Upgrade this new install of vista with the same disk.

4, you can enter the number here, or wait until its all installed.

Deleted member 77746 · 15 Nov 2008 at 16:31

Just to clarify something.

If a user was to buy this 'upgrade kit' and they already have a full install media suite from another legit product and they install ultimate from it will it accept the upgrade serial?

If not, could a full install be done from the full install media suite from another legit product and then an upgrade from the upgrade disk??

There is lots of options but, which one is legal! lol

[TW]Fox · 15 Nov 2008 at 17:02

Gman said:
Chances are if your in Uni etc your can get vista for free

Lanz said:
No you cant.

Yes, you can. This is how I got my copy of Vista Business 64bit - it's an MSDN alliance version given to me, completely legally, by my University.

fendi · 15 Nov 2008 at 20:45

My machine is in my sig, currently running Vista Business 32.

Would I see much of a performance increase by getting this?

I am really thinking of partitioning and installing XP Pro as Vista to me seems slow.

Phil99 · 15 Nov 2008 at 21:08

You won't get any sort of speed increase from Ultimate, just new features.

Fanatic · 16 Nov 2008 at 11:51

Damn this thing.

Corrupt, can't install. 3.3GB wasted. Not mentioning the 1.2GB wasted when my Internet connection died the first time. And I didn't order the back-up media. Trying to find an option to do that now but I can't, anyone know where it is?

meghatronic · 16 Nov 2008 at 12:06

Fanatic said:
Damn this thing.

Corrupt, can't install. 3.3GB wasted. Not mentioning the 1.2GB wasted when my Internet connection died the first time. And I didn't order the back-up media. Trying to find an option to do that now but I can't, anyone know where it is?

Argh.

My reply didn't ****** post. Damn ***** internet.

1) Use a download manager
2) Get MD5 off google (or below if you got 64bit version)
3) Repeat 1 if 2 doesn't match.
4) Burn a dvd using the instructions found on google
5) Save the backup media money
6) ???
7) Profit

MD5 (X14-63453.exe) = 0023ce102efe1b5b89ee18cc82b44d28
MD5 (boot.wim) = e7ff7b7dc0dc4aa9b368ec7c58dd6c56
MD5 (install.wim) = 37334093fd17bd63b3100d8336587c2c

Fanatic · 16 Nov 2008 at 12:42

Yeah, install.wim codes did not match. Can't be bothered to download 3.5GB again, already being limited by ISP. I asked them for a refund, serial key was never activated.

I will try and find a new way of getting a free OS.. Windows 7 beta out in December or something.