Upgrade Version?

Nick,

Thanks for replying. Sorry, but I did not make it clear what my dilemma is.

I`m trying to decide whether to go for the OEM Upgrade or the Retail version. I am concerned that the "workaround" will be abused, as discussed above, and that MS will close that option. I want to keep XP....hence my problem. I`m leaning towards the Retail version just as insurance.
What do you think?

I did have a Dell, but a few months ago with Vista in mind, I treated myself to a high spec Alienware and it is a wonderful machine. It came with an XP installation CD and no junk at all installed. The Dell is still in the family so I suppose I do still have it since I`m left to maintain it. :)

Elaine

There is no OEM Upgrade version, you can only get the OEM Full version or a Retail Upgrade version. Because you can't legitimately transfer your OEM WinXP disc from the Alienware to another machine in the future, should you wish to, you will also have no legitimate upgrade path for the Vista Upgrade DVD either. So it makes more sense to me to buy an OEM version, which is cheaper than the Retail Upgrade version, and will legally allow you to dual-boot with XP as well. Admittedly the Vista disc is tied to that machine, but as the qualifying OS is anyway, you aren't any worse off.

Thanks Nick,

I don`t know why I wrote "OEM Upgrade", I just meant Upgrade.
The OEM Full version would give me a clean install and I would never be in any danger of losing XP. I would never want to transfer Vista anyway so it makes more sense than buying the Retail version

Had a look at prices

Komplett
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium Eng OEM DVD 32bit £62.00

Amazon UK
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium OEM/OEI DSP - 32-bit Edition (PC DVD) £81.99

Can you tell me please what OEM/OEI DSP is?

Thanks
Elaine

I think the OEI might stand for "Original Equipment Integrator". The DSP bit I have no idea about, and neither does anybody else, it seems. I'll see if I can find out from my MS sources.

DSP = Delivery Service Partner.

AFAIK MS get to charge the partners more for the OS, and then the support starts and ends with that partner.(I'll let someone else confirm)


Liam

Thanks everyone

So, how does that affect the DVDs?
Should it make any difference to the user?

Elaine

No, not in the slightest. It is a full Vista DVD in every way, the only difference from Retail versions is that it it is tied to the mobo it is installed on, and you don't get any support from Microsoft.

Hello again Nick,

I know that is the definition of an OEM disk, but what does this "OEI DSP" gubbins do to the disk?

There are OEM disks with "OEI DSP " and OEM disks without it.

Elaine

I bet there aren't. It's just that some stores just say OEM and others quote the whole string of letters. I'd be pretty confident that they are the identical discs.

OK Nick thanks.

I`ll leave you alone now. :D

Elaine

I wonder, if you do a clean install of Vista from within an activated same version of Windows, will you have to activate it again. I'd imagine you would, probably give it a try some time.

Yes you will, because a clean install will wipe out the activation files.

On my second install I chose custom and performed a clean install, this meant that I had to delete the Windows.old folder (no big deal)

It appears that I could have chose to do an Upgrade install which wouldn't have left anything to delete.

http://www.instantvista.com/windows-vista-upgrade.html

For some reason I feel it's better to do the first method of a clean install, but that's just my opinion.