Buying Vista

Aracnid · 23 Feb 2007 at 20:01

Since I built my first computer 6 years ago I have gone through 5 upgrades cycles, each one involving a change of motherboard, I am sure that I am not alone on this board in having done that, and quite frankly I have a lot more money now than I was then, after all I am no longer a student so if anything I will be upgrading more often.

I bought XP Pro two months after I came out (it took me that long to get the money together) and while I have had my problems in general I have more than got my money's worth. I was intending to do the same thing with Vista and get it in a month or two, I decided to wait until a least nVidia had brought out drivers never mind Creative et al.

However I have heard mention that Vista is linked to your motherboard and as soon as you change your motherboard it stops working. I really don't want to turn to piracy but equally I am not going to shell out over a £1000 on OS software over the next few years. Nor am I going to turn to Mac or Linux, I have used both and have no dseire to return to them.

So what version of Vista do I need to buy to avoid repeat buys. I don't really want to get Ultimate as Home Premium seems to have all the features I need or want.

So what do I do?

Thank You in advance.

daz.wallace · 23 Feb 2007 at 20:07

Buy the retail version and you will be fine for upgrades. It's the OEM version that is tied to the motherboard

Aracnid · 23 Feb 2007 at 20:11

Yeah but I heard there was a limited number of mobo changes for the retail version, and wondered if anyone knew what that number is?

killer_uk · 23 Feb 2007 at 20:18

Can't say I've heard of that before, don't think there is a limit.

PinkPig · 23 Feb 2007 at 20:38

Aracnid said:
Yeah but I heard there was a limited number of mobo changes for the retail version, and wondered if anyone knew what that number is?

There's no limit (although as with XP, you might need to make a phone call if you change too often).

There was briefly before release an announcement that Vista Retail would have a limit of two "fresh computer" installs, but that changed before release. Vista Retail is just like XP retail.

This applies equally to all editions.