Vista 'Free' Upgrade vouchers

TheMightyTen · 4 Dec 2006 at 08:56

In the last week or so I've noticed quite a few people on here recommending to people that they should still buy OEM XP Pro and MCE because of the free upgrade to Vista voucher some etailers are selling with them.

Now please correct me on this if I'm wrong but as I understand it the vouchers are entirely useless unless they are accompanied by the correct documentation on a pre-installed PC from an authorised reseller, so surely it's bad advise that's being given :confused:

I'd be interested to hear how this actually works.

Tony Williams · 4 Dec 2006 at 10:33

I have a feeling there is a fee involed. Dunno though.

Ozymandias · 4 Dec 2006 at 11:16

XP Media Center to Vista Home Premium with the coupon costs £8 for the postage.

The Running Man · 4 Dec 2006 at 11:53

MS wont honour it, sorry guys.

TheMightyTen · 4 Dec 2006 at 12:19

Ozymandias said:
XP Media Center to Vista Home Premium with the coupon costs £8 for the postage.

But you're not an authorised reseller and the software is not pre-installed on a PC so as far as the information from Microsoft goes as it stands now the voucher is invalid.

the-void · 4 Dec 2006 at 15:20

Ouch.

grahamjenks · 4 Dec 2006 at 16:22

Aren't these vouchers to enable people who purchase a new PC now with say Media Center XP on it - to upgrade for free (well P+P) when Vista becomes avaliable. Wherever I've seen these upgrade coupons advertised its being made clear documentation will be required to prove that the OEM copy was installed on a pre built system and such.

tripitaka · 12 Dec 2006 at 17:04

Voucher states:

1. This offer is available if you have purchased a PC preloaded with genuine Windows XP Media Center Edition between October 26, 2006 and March 15, 2007 from an authorized system builder.
...
4. Mail to the address... (i) this completed upgrade redemption form... and (ii) a copy of your receipt from your authorized system builder.

So yes, it looks like you need a receipt for a system, I doubt that there is a workaround to this...

clv101 · 12 Dec 2006 at 17:14

Isn't their definition of 'PC' and 'System' the same that used for buying the OEM licensed software in the first place? I think the receipt of your purchase of the OEM version of XP will count. I don’t like the fact that it says it’ll take 6-8 weeks.