Vista license question

Ross1234 · 18 Dec 2008 at 22:47

I have a pc with OEM vista HP32bit

I want to build a new pc with ultimate 64 bit

Can I get the upgrade version and use my HP32bit pc as the upgrade path for installing on the new pc?

Does that make sense?

Thanks, Ross

Snakedoctor · 18 Dec 2008 at 22:51

It makes sense and no, it would not be a valid license. The OEM copy is tied to your old machine.

Ross1234 · 18 Dec 2008 at 22:53

Even though i would be buying the upgrade edition and scrapping the old pc?

Cobertizo · 18 Dec 2008 at 22:56

Yes - you need a valid licence to upgrade from. And unless you are upgrading the computer that you had the OEM licence for, you won't have one...

Ross1234 · 18 Dec 2008 at 22:57

Theres a few bits like ram psu hard drive and cd drive

How does it check what you are upgrading from?

LeJosh · 18 Dec 2008 at 23:06

It's all digitally signed so I imagine it scans all the signatures to check and it will recognise changes in hardware through that.

Snakedoctor · 18 Dec 2008 at 23:06

Ross1234 said:
Theres a few bits like ram psu hard drive and cd drive

How does it check what you are upgrading from?

It scans your hardware and creates profile based on multiple factors. As a rule of thumb, if you change the Mobo then its a new machine and your license is invalid. You will find the old OEM will not activate on-line if you are able to install it in the new PC.

Ross1234 · 18 Dec 2008 at 23:07

ok i will just have to buy it then

Snakedoctor · 18 Dec 2008 at 23:10

Tbh Ultimate is a total waste of money. It offers nothing over HP other than the flawed Dreamscene and useless Bit Locker and a few extra sound schemes. Unless you need to be able to join a domain (login via a server) I would just get Home Premium.

Ross1234 · 18 Dec 2008 at 23:11

Snakedoctor said:
Tbh Ultimate is a total waste of money. It offers nothing over HP other than the flawed Dreamscene and useless Bit Locker and a few extra sound schemes. Unless you need to be able to join a domain (login via a server) I would just get Home Premium.

Yeh Its just because the upgrade edition is £40 on the ultimate steal microsoft site. I will get HP

Snakedoctor · 18 Dec 2008 at 23:15

Ross1234 said:
Yeh Its just because the upgrade edition is £40 on the ultimate steal microsoft site. I will get HP

Oh right, not a bad price if you are updating from say XP, might be worth it. Almost rude not to.

stoofa · 19 Dec 2008 at 01:38

Why not try and source a nice cheap WinXP Home OEM that hasn't been used on any machine.
Then use that with the Ultimate Upgrade.
Sure it'll cost you more than just the £40 for the upgrade, however it will be cheaper than buying the Full Retail version of Ultimate certainly and possibly HP.