Vista Ultimate OEM vs Ultimate Retail & more

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Guest

Hi,

I have not seen this anywhere yet for VISTA so i hope i'm not being
redundant. But, i have a few questions i'd like to ask before I make the
switch to Vista.

First, Retail Full Version Ultimate is nearly $399. OEM Full Version
Ultimate online is $220. It's far more affordable since it's nearly half
price.

My first question is: What is the difference between the OEM Full Version
and the Retail Full Version? I just don't understand?

I will be upgrading from XP Pro and would like to do a clean install.


Second question: I do gaming which messes things up on me, a lot, and
therefore i routinely reformat my hard drive and then reinstall Windows.
However, with XP, i would install the OS with updates, activate the software,
and then GHOST it (make a full backup image). That way when i go to
reinstall Windows, i just reformat the HD again and then restore the OS using
Ghost. It's already been activated so i don't hve to deal with all that
every time.

My question is: Will i be able to do this same process with Windows Ultimate?


Third and last question: I read in a blog that you will only be able to
activate Windows Vista 2 times. If i did not GHOST the backup image and my
HD were to crash or something else 3 times in the next many years, is it true
that i can only reactivate Vista 2 times and then i would have to buy another
copy of Vista?

Thank you very much for your advise and help.
 
Terster said:
Hi,

I have not seen this anywhere yet for VISTA so i hope i'm not being
redundant. But, i have a few questions i'd like to ask before I
make the
switch to Vista.

First, Retail Full Version Ultimate is nearly $399. OEM Full
Version
Ultimate online is $220. It's far more affordable since it's nearly
half
price.

My first question is: What is the difference between the OEM Full
Version
and the Retail Full Version? I just don't understand?
Click to expand...

Licesing and support - there are no technical differences.
I will be upgrading from XP Pro and would like to do a clean
install.
Click to expand...

Depends on your definition of "clean" install. Upgrade versions are
started within your running activated and genuine Windows XP on that
PC - however they will move your old install to another folder so you
can get a clear install of Vista if you do not want to do an inplace
upgrade.

Second question: I do gaming which messes things up on me, a lot,
and
therefore i routinely reformat my hard drive and then reinstall
Windows.
However, with XP, i would install the OS with updates, activate the
software,
and then GHOST it (make a full backup image). That way when i go to
reinstall Windows, i just reformat the HD again and then restore the
OS using
Ghost. It's already been activated so i don't hve to deal with all
that
every time.

My question is: Will i be able to do this same process with Windows
Ultimate?
Click to expand...

Similar or even better - you can make a full system backup using the
built in tools that you can put back using the tools on the bootable
upgrade or full DVD.
Third and last question: I read in a blog that you will only be
able to
activate Windows Vista 2 times. If i did not GHOST the backup image
and my
HD were to crash or something else 3 times in the next many years,
is it true
that i can only reactivate Vista 2 times and then i would have to
buy another
copy of Vista?
Click to expand...

Not true.
 
1. That has been discussed to a nauseating level here, how could you miss
it?
2. Using Vista compatible imaging software, yes.
3. Entirely incorrect, find a new source for your info :)

--
 
Terster said:
I have not seen this anywhere yet for VISTA so i hope i'm not being
redundant. But, i have a few questions i'd like to ask before I make the
switch to Vista.

First, Retail Full Version Ultimate is nearly $399. OEM Full Version
Ultimate online is $220. It's far more affordable since it's nearly half
price.

My first question is: What is the difference between the OEM Full Version
and the Retail Full Version? I just don't understand?

I will be upgrading from XP Pro and would like to do a clean install.
Click to expand...

With retail full version you get support from Microsoft. With the OEM
version you get support from the OEM. For most of the cheaper OEM versions
sold like the one to which you refer that effectively means no support. The
license is also different in that the OEM version is supposed to stay with
the hardware on which it was originally installed whereas the retail version
can be transferred to new hardware.
Second question: I do gaming which messes things up on me, a lot, and
therefore i routinely reformat my hard drive and then reinstall Windows.
However, with XP, i would install the OS with updates, activate the
software, and then GHOST it (make a full backup image). That way when i
go to reinstall Windows, i just reformat the HD again and then restore
the OS using Ghost. It's already been activated so i don't hve to deal
with all that every time.

My question is: Will i be able to do this same process with Windows
Ultimate?
Click to expand...

Yes, in fact Vista Ultimate includes its own image backup utility that works
quite well.
Third and last question: I read in a blog that you will only be able to
activate Windows Vista 2 times. If i did not GHOST the backup image and
my HD were to crash or something else 3 times in the next many years, is
it true that i can only reactivate Vista 2 times and then i would have to
buy another copy of Vista?
Click to expand...

The info you read in the blog is incorrect.
 
One last clarifying question if i may:

The way i now understand this to work, the OEM vs Retail versions is:

If i buy the OEM version and my motherboard needs replacing, then by
definition this becomes a new pc and the software can not be reinstalled
because the OEM version of the license stays with the original PC on which it
was intalled. In addition there is no direct Microsoft Technical Support.

If i buy the Retail version and my mother board needs replacing, no problem,
i can reinstall windows. Just like, if i were to retire the pc and get a new
one, i can use this Retail version on that new PC. So in essense, the
license goes with the individual vs the PC. In addition there would be
direct Microsoft Technical Support.

I hope i understand this correctly.

Thanks again for all your help. It was helpful!
 
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