General Questions

[CJ Hames]

Please forgive my ignorance. I've been using an iMac for a while and forgot
how much I hated having to go through these MSFT quirks and problems, but
here goes:

1) If I purchase one copy of Vista home Basic, on how many computers may I
run it on? I have an iMac that I wish to install it on as well as two other
Windows-based PC's located at home (one each for my son & daughter).

2) If I buy the on-line downloadable version, MSFT's website says that
"you'll have three days to install hardware or software products and to set
up an Internet connection before activation will take place."
I must be reading this incorrectly. (I went to California schools). Is
this saying that if I purchase the downloadable version I have to wait three
days for my software to be activated? This can't be right. Surely I can pay
for this archaic piece of goods, download it and begin using it immediately,
yes?

Why must MSFT make things so stinking complicated? Yikes, I just wanna buy
software for crying out loud, not receive training from ITT Tech.

 

[John Barnett MVP]

In answer to question 1:

You can install Windows Vista on 'One' PC only. If you want to install it on
3 PCs you must buy 3 copies (volume licencing starts at a minimum of 5)

Question 2:

You can use Vista straight away. During install the default option is to
'activate' the product. When installing remove the tick from this box. You
actually have 30 days to activate (well you do with a retail version,
anyway) but an activation prompt will appear in the notification area after
3 days (perhaps that is where the misunderstanding arises).


--

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

Web: http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org
Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org

The information in this mail/post is supplied "as is". No warranty of any
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use of, or inability to use, information or opinions expressed in this
mail/post..

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Please forgive my ignorance. I've been using an iMac for a while and forgot
how much I hated having to go through these MSFT quirks and problems, but
here goes:

1) If I purchase one copy of Vista home Basic, on how many computers may I
run it on?

One. Just as it has always been. (And just the same as it is for the
MacOS.)

I have an iMac that I wish to install it on as well as two other
Windows-based PC's located at home (one each for my son & daughter).

2) If I buy the on-line downloadable version, MSFT's website says that
"you'll have three days to install hardware or software products and to set
up an Internet connection before activation will take place."
I must be reading this incorrectly. (I went to California schools). Is
this saying that if I purchase the downloadable version I have to wait three
days for my software to be activated?

No, not "wait." It means you'll have the 3 days to make sure
everything is working _before_ you have to activate. You're right, a
California education does apparently suck.

This can't be right. Surely I can pay
for this archaic piece of goods, download it and begin using it immediately,
yes?

If it's "archaic," why do you want it? Oh, right, to do things that
cannot be done with a MAC.

Why must MSFT make things so stinking complicated?

If you think this is complicated, you should try boiling an egg some day.

Yikes, I just wanna buy
software for crying out loud, not receive training from ITT Tech.

Sadly, into each life a little learning most fall. Not everything can
be made mindless, and still be useful. Remember the old saying: "You
live and learn. Or you don't live long."


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:


http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell

The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has
killed a great many philosophers.
~ Denis Diderot

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

Please forgive my ignorance. I've been using an iMac for a while and
forgot
how much I hated having to go through these MSFT quirks and problems, but
here goes:

1) If I purchase one copy of Vista home Basic, on how many computers may
I
run it on? I have an iMac that I wish to install it on as well as two
other
Windows-based PC's located at home (one each for my son & daughter).

2) If I buy the on-line downloadable version, MSFT's website says that
"you'll have three days to install hardware or software products and to
set
up an Internet connection before activation will take place."
I must be reading this incorrectly. (I went to California schools). Is
this saying that if I purchase the downloadable version I have to wait
three
days for my software to be activated? This can't be right. Surely I can
pay
for this archaic piece of goods, download it and begin using it
immediately,
yes?

Why must MSFT make things so stinking complicated? Yikes, I just wanna
buy
software for crying out loud, not receive training from ITT Tech.

You have three computers so you buy three copies of Vista. MS does not
provide a family plan price like Apple, although they had a
introductory-period offer of one last year. It expired last summer.

You have a 30-day grace period in which to activate. The three days stuff
comes from the default setting called "activate the first time I get on the
internet" which as noted by John can be unticked. It turns out that it does
not automatically activate the first time you get on the internet but it
will in two or three days if not unticked. MS does built in a delay in case
the installation has to be repeated in the first day or two. They just
don't say so.

Personally, I would buy Vista Home Premium rather than Basic. VHP is a much
better OS and supports the Media Center.