Windows Vista question.

[.Lethal]

Before you dont read my post and say to search the forum or use Google let me point out I have, in fact I have done a fair bit of research and would like to ask 1 question.

I have just bought a copy of Windows Vista Ultimate (Retail Version) which includes the 32bit and 64bit. ( This provides the manual, tech support and allows me to instal over and over as I need, which is why I went with this ).

I did plan to get Windows Home Premium but I didn't like the idea of paying more on top for the 64bit version. ( see http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/editions/64bit.mspx )

Anyway long story short I actually got the retail version of Vista Ultimate for £162.99 from a well known auction site which I felt was a bargin ( I didn't even plan to buy Ultimate I was just checking out prices and this had 12mins left on a low price so I thought why not try my luck ).

Anyway, my question.

I know I can instal this as many times as I like unlike the OEM. BUT my question is this. Can I instal this on my current PC now, and on my PC when I upgrade the mobo, cpu, gfx, ram etc in a few months. I belive this is fine but I want to be absolutly sure. 95% of me is saying yes since it can be installed over and over.

What I think I'm getting confused over is the fact I cannot instal it on my PC now and say on my fathers PC at the same time. Only 1 instalation active at 1 time I belive it is and thats why im getting confused.

Could someone just confirm what I am saying is correct? or correct me if I'm wrong.

Thanks for reading my confusing post.

 

[Fire Wizard]

Hello Damonic, yes what you are saying is correct. As long as you only have Windows Vista installed on one machine, that is absolutely fine. As you have quite rightly said, if you would like to move Windows Vista from one machine to another, just make sure you remove it from the system that you installed it on first.

 

[.Lethal]

Thanks Fire_Wizard. I assume if I did not uninstal Vista from the original PC and installed it onto My dads (for the sake of understanding here) it would work fine on my Dads. However, if I went back to my original PC vista would have deactivated itself anyway due to it lastly being installed on my Dads.

Sorry dont mean to confuse, just understand exactly.

 

[Fire Wizard]

Hey Damonic, if you install Windows Vista on one machine and then activate it, now you install it on another machine (For example your Dads), you will have 3 days (If you enter your CD-Key during installation) or 30 days (If you do not enter your CD-Key during installation), to activate Windows Vista. When you enter your CD-Key, the activation process may fail since you already have Windows Vista activated on another machine. (Either way you are breaking the EULA) Now if you went back to the original machine, Windows Vista will still be activated.

Please remember though, even if you remove Vista from the original machine and then install it on another system, when it comes to the activation process, you might still have to ring Microsoft up but you will not be violating the EULA.

Hope that makes sense.

 

[.Lethal]

Oh I see.

To be honest that is a little bit annoying. I format my PC every 3 or so months so re-installing over and over is common for me. I hope I don't have to ring every few months. Although it is the same PC so that may not be the case.

Eaither way you did clarify my question so thank you.