windows vista

  • Thread starter Thread starter DaddyJim
  • Start date Start date
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DaddyJim

I have 3 computers with hard drive going bad in one, (all are XP) Am
thinking of buying win vista to play around with along with new hard drive.
Question is, can vista be installed on new hard drive with no operating
system already on it, or would I have to install XP then upgrade. Thanks for
any info.
 
You can buy a full version of Vista, which can be installed on a new drive. A less expensive upgrade version can be used to upgrade an existing WinXP installation or it can be installed on a clean partition if you have proof that you own a WinXP license e.g. a WinXP installation CD.
I suggest that you install both so the you can dual boot and eventually use whichever one you prefer as your main OS.
 
Thanks Mike. Will have to settle for the low end upgrade of vista if I buy.
Can't afford the high dollar unless price decreases quite a bit, which is
unlikely.
 
DaddyJim said:
Thanks Mike. Will have to settle for the low end upgrade of vista if I
buy. Can't afford the high dollar unless price decreases quite a bit,
which is unlikely.
Click to expand...

If you're going to buy a new drive, why not try to find a Mom & Pop builder
in your area. I believe a hard drive qualifies for an OEM purchase which
will be even less than an upgrade. Of course you'll have to provide your own
tech support.

David
 
If you're going to buy a new drive, why not try to find a Mom & Pop builder
in your area. I believe a hard drive qualifies for an OEM purchase which
will be even less than an upgrade. Of course you'll have to provide your own
tech support.

David
Click to expand...


The price of a HDD + OEM Vista through a mom-n-pop shop
might be higher than purchasing both through a larger online
'site like http://www.outpost.com or http://www.newegg.com

For example Vista Home Premium OEM $110,
http://shop2.outpost.com/product/51...IJvxMbItg**.node3?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG
+ 400GB PATA HDD,
http://shop2.outpost.com/product/4596287?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG

or
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116202
+ 400GB SATA HDD,
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152085
 
DaddyJim said:
I have 3 computers with hard drive going bad in one, (all are XP) Am
thinking of buying win vista to play around with along with new hard drive.
Question is, can vista be installed on new hard drive with no operating
system already on it, or would I have to install XP then upgrade. Thanks for
any info.
Click to expand...

I did a test install of Vista and fooled around with it for 3 months...then
deleted it.
I assure you , you do not want to waste your time.
If you have some very new, very high end hardware Vista might work for you
....but
it still needs at least 6 months to a year for the rest of the bugs to be
worked out...
for now, just stay with XP
 
DaddyJim said:
I have 3 computers with hard drive going bad in one, (all are XP) Am
thinking of buying win vista to play around with along with new hard drive.
Question is, can vista be installed on new hard drive with no operating
system already on it, or would I have to install XP then upgrade. Thanks
for any info.
Click to expand...

All 32 bit versions of Vista are contained within the Vista dvd.
What decides which version you are entitled yo use is the serial number that
you enter.
An upgrade instal can only be carried out from witin an existing qualifying
OS.
Fortunately Vista's upgrade version will accept an installed unactivated
copy of Vista itself as evidence of a previous installation.
More info here
http://www.windowssecrets.com/comp/070201
 
DaddyJim said:
I have 3 computers with hard drive going bad in one, (all are XP)
Am thinking of buying win vista to play around with along with new
hard drive. Question is, can vista be installed on new hard drive
with no operating system already on it, or would I have to install
XP then upgrade. Thanks for any info.
Click to expand...

Before you get Vista, please be sure to read the following URLs for
reasons to do otherwise. You might also think about installing
Ubuntu. CDs are free. See ubuntu.com.
 
DaddyJim said:
I have 3 computers with hard drive going bad in one, (all are XP) Am
thinking of buying win vista to play around with along with new hard drive.
Question is, can vista be installed on new hard drive with no operating
system already on it, or would I have to install XP then upgrade. Thanks
for any info.
Click to expand...


If you buy the Upgrade Vista DVD, you need to install from an activated
installation of XP. You can Google for the way to install the Upgrade
without first installing XP. It works but apparently MS are going to clock
installations made like this, according to some MVPs.

What hardware are you planning to install Vista on? Anything pretty old is
going to result in a disappointing experience.

ss.
 
If you're going to buy a new drive, why not try to find a Mom & Pop
builder in your area. I believe a hard drive qualifies for an OEM
purchase which will be even less than an upgrade. Of course you'll
have to provide your own tech support.

David
Click to expand...

If you go with the OEM version it has a more restrictive EULA. Reading
EULA's is a real pain but be sure to read them before you buy Vista -
they are more restrictive than XP's were.

In brief, the OEM version is supposed to be tied to the hardware and must
be sold with the hardware. If a 'major component(s)' is/are changed,
you may not be able to reactivate Vista and you will at the very least
need to call to reactivate. Microsoft has not enforced this in the past
*BUT*......

Personally I would pay the extra $40-$50 bucks U.S. and get the upgrade
version but I can certainly understand why the OEM version would be just
fine for a lot of people.

I try to explain the different versions and EULA's here if you want to
waste an evening trying to decipher the legalese:

http://www.pecos-softwareworks.com/vista_confusion.html
 
kony said:
The price of a HDD + OEM Vista through a mom-n-pop shop
might be higher than purchasing both through a larger online
'site like http://www.outpost.com or http://www.newegg.com

For example Vista Home Premium OEM $110,
http://shop2.outpost.com/product/51...IJvxMbItg**.node3?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG
+ 400GB PATA HDD,
http://shop2.outpost.com/product/4596287?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG

or
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116202
+ 400GB SATA HDD,
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152085
Click to expand...

Good thinking Kony, the reason I suggested local is that they are more
readily available and usually (at least they are in my area) very helpful.
Also, shipping and handling will sometimes lessen the price difference.

David
 
Good thinking Kony, the reason I suggested local is that they are more
readily available and usually (at least they are in my area) very helpful.
Also, shipping and handling will sometimes lessen the price difference.

David
Click to expand...


The great thing about mom-n-pop shops is the chance for some
support, and one-off old parts. Not to put these shops down
as they have their purpose, but the truth is they have
higher overhead than Newegg et al, they're a middleman and
entitled to make a profit but if one doesn't need the
support they tend to end up costing more. Shipping and
handling is usually a negligible difference for small items
like a Vista CD and a HDD, often completely offset by the
local taxes paid at a shop.
 
Hello,

After listening to people moan and groan about Vista I wouldn't reccommend
it. If you are happy with XP stick with XP. If the "official" software
eventually becomes upgraded to not work on XP then there will be
alternatives to use which will probably be better than the proper versions
(such as Media Player Classic and Foxit Reader).

JOHN

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