Do I need a second key?

  • Thread starter Thread starter bratboy
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bratboy

I purchased Vista Premium with SP1 which came with both the 32 bit and 64 bit
dvd's. I'm currently running the V64 version but I have a few needed apps
that just won't run on the 64 bit system. I was wondering if I could install
the x32 bit and set up my computer as a multiboot setup using the same key or
would I have to buy another key to have both versions of the OS on the same
computer?

If no one knows what the rule is and has a CS phone number I could call to
ask about this I'd really appreciate the help.
 
bratboy said:
I purchased Vista Premium with SP1 which came with both the 32 bit and 64
bit dvd's. I'm currently running the V64 version but I have a few needed
apps that just won't run on the 64 bit system. I was wondering if I could
install the x32 bit and set up my computer as a multiboot setup using the
same key or would I have to buy another key to have both versions of the
OS on the same computer?
Click to expand...

You need a Product Key for each installation of the operating system. So
yes, if you want to have two instances of Vista you will need to purchase a
second copy.

Malke
 
Ordering additional licenses for Windows Vista
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-vista/get/licensing.aspx


I purchased Vista Premium with SP1 which came with both the 32 bit and 64 bit
dvd's. I'm currently running the V64 version but I have a few needed apps
that just won't run on the 64 bit system. I was wondering if I could install
the x32 bit and set up my computer as a multiboot setup using the same key or
would I have to buy another key to have both versions of the OS on the same
computer?

If no one knows what the rule is and has a CS phone number I could call to
ask about this I'd really appreciate the help.
 
You can't install both versions with the same product key. If you want to
install the 32 bit version then you need another product key. As Microsoft
volume licensing starts at 5 machines you will not be able to simply buy a
further license; instead you will have to buy a complete copy of the
operating system.

--
John Barnett MVP
Windows XP Associate Expert
Windows Desktop Experience

Web: http://www.winuser.co.uk
Web: http://www.silversurfer-guide.com
Web: http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org
Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org


The information in this mail/post is supplied "as is". No warranty of any
kind, either expressed or implied, is made in relation to the accuracy,
reliability or content of this mail/post. The Author shall not be liable for
any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages arising out of the
use of, or inability to use, information or opinions expressed in this
mail/post..
 
Going thru all my software I just realized/discovered that when I purchased a
special deal that was for students along with Office Ultimate I did also get
a copy of Vista Ultimate 32 w/SP1 upgrade as well and it came with its own
key so it looks like I already have a second key. My question now is can I
use that key with my Vista Ultimate w/SP1 32 bit Full install dvd or will the
key only work with the upgrade dvd?

I have seen guides on how to do a clean install using an upgrade dvd but if
I can save myself the extra work it would be nice.
 
Product keys for upgrades only work with upgrade DVDs.


Going thru all my software I just realized/discovered that when I purchased a
special deal that was for students along with Office Ultimate I did also get
a copy of Vista Ultimate 32 w/SP1 upgrade as well and it came with its own
key so it looks like I already have a second key. My question now is can I
use that key with my Vista Ultimate w/SP1 32 bit Full install dvd or will the
key only work with the upgrade dvd?

I have seen guides on how to do a clean install using an upgrade dvd but if
I can save myself the extra work it would be nice.
 
You can install XP on the "same" computer as a multiboot system as much as
you want. You can't install it on any other computers though. Vista's
licensing isn't that same?
 
The license agreement for Windows XP and Windows Vista are the same.
You can install and activate just one (1) copy on just one (1) computer.
 
Leroy said:
The license agreement for Windows XP and Windows Vista are the same.
You can install and activate just one (1) copy on just one (1) computer.
Click to expand...
Maybe he's referring to the fact that if you install XP twice
on the same PC, it will activate on-line both times with no
issues. Vista will only activate once on-line. Even if you
uninstall it you will have to make a phone call to reactivate
it.
 
Bill said:
You can install XP on the "same" computer as a multiboot system as much as
you want. You can't install it on any other computers though. Vista's
licensing isn't that same?
Click to expand...

It's the same as XP, which is NOT what you say XP is.

ONE copy, ONE machine.
 
Malke said:
You need a Product Key for each installation of the operating system. So
yes, if you want to have two instances of Vista you will need to purchase
a
second copy.
Click to expand...

And ... though this was not the original question ... if you want to install
any version of Windows in a virtual machine, that too requires a
new/different key.

It's not quite "ONE copy, ONE machine" as Bill said, more like "ONE Copy,
ONE Installation."
 
bb said:
And ... though this was not the original question ... if you want to install
any version of Windows in a virtual machine, that too requires a
new/different key.

It's not quite "ONE copy, ONE machine" as Bill said, more like "ONE Copy,
ONE Installation."
Click to expand...

<ahem> Virtual MACHINE is a second machine.
 
Mike Torello said:
It's the same as XP, which is NOT what you say XP is.

ONE copy, ONE machine.
Click to expand...

I just read the eula, you are correct, I had the same copy of windows xp
installed twice on my comp for several years until a week or so
ago,...bah..oh well, it's been corrected now, sorry microsoft. I'm pretty
sure it was the representative for activation that told me I could install
it as many times as I wanted on the same computer with the understanding it
was a multiboot xp setup, I'm guessing now there was some miscommunication.

here is what the EULA says:

1.1 Installation and use. You may install,
use, access, display and run one copy of the
Software on the Computer. The Software may
not be used by more than two (2) processors
at any one time on the Computer, unless a
higher number is indicated on the COA.
 
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