Does it not seem like a "no brainer" to purchase the Upgrade of Vista Ultimate rather than the OEM version. There is only $50.00 difference. You would get support from M$ (I've never used in the past but one never knows); The ability to put on more than one machine; otherwise same program.

I have been drawn toward the OEM but think the benefits (for a mere $50.00) make the upgrade a better value.

I would sure like others thoughts. I am running Windows XP Pro.

Thanks for your ideas!

OEM version and Dual Boot, the upgrade option seems fraught with difficulties..

I guess the $50 difference covers the cost of developing and manufacturing startup of the CD case that you don't get if you buy the OEM brand.

BTW if you have doubts about whether or not you should upgrade, this PDF file should help.

i_XpUser

typo (ougha get coffee :-)

manufacturing startup of the CD case...

should read

manufacturing startup for the CD case

i_XpUser

I understand that MS is allowing an installation of the upgrade version to act like a complete full version when you install. That is what I meant when I said I could use the upgrade version instead of the OEM version. Doesn't that make sense. Do a clean install after reformatting the hard drive. You may notice a different user name as I am sending this from the school where I teach.

Do NOT dump XP Pro! If anything, install Vista on a 2nd partition (or HDD) & create a dual boot setup. Once you perform the upgrade, your XP license is dead.

Yeah indeed your XP product key will be invalidated meaning you will have no choice except to buy a new key. Otherwise the following is the workaround for clean instal using Vista Upgrade CD (M$ is aware of it and hasn't yet bitten the MVP who revealed it to the world:

http://arstechnica.com/journals/mic...

i_XpUser

I have a second hard drive (SATA 160 gif that has been partioned into a drive D and E with 80 gigs (more or less each) Drive E has nothing on it. Would I be better to get the OEM of Vista Ultimate and install it on the E drive as a clean install. Do I need to transfer my settings from XP Pro first and then install the transferred settings (Favorites, etc.) onto the Vista Ultimate OEM I've put on E.

Once all the bugs are out, can I go ahead and delete the Vista on Drive E and then reformat my primary drive C (again transfering my settings this time from the Vista Ultimate on E)so that I can use them on the Vista Ultimate I will put on C.

I understand the principal just wanted to check to see if I have everything in the right order.

Thanks for everyones help!

"Once you perform the upgrade, your XP license is dead...."

Not really, unless "XP license" here implies a euphemism for "XP installation" since an in-place Vista upgrade installation is not reversible such that you can go back to the prior Windows installation - as was possible with earlier versions of Windows including XP, the impact of which is arguably negligible to the point that it is perhaps safe to say it's totally inconsequential.

For all intent & purposes you can still use the XP license for another system or partition installation & it would activate just fine - provided the license was legal from the get go.

"Yeah indeed your XP product key will be invalidated meaning you will have no choice except to buy a new key....."

Same applies here too.

"M$ is aware of it and hasn't yet bitten the MVP who revealed it to the world..."

M$ won't be doing none of that & neither do they have plans to disable the workaround at this time nor in the near future, this probably being because the act in all cases does not in itself constitute an illegal conduct & the fact that effluvium from the earlier WGA controversy is yet to clear the air - my assumption.

According to them, people WITHOUT (not with) a licensed copy of XP that use this workaround are violating the terms of use agreed to when they purchased the upgrade version of Windows Vista..........so, anyone that does this & already own a legal copy of XP isn't breaking any prohibited rule afterall.

http://www.vnunet.com/vnunet/news/2...

How To Ask Questions The Smart Way

Our Guru finally has spoken. So be it :-)

i_XpUser