vista, which version is for me?

[MantaBase]

I say 32-bit Premium.

Basic - if you can even find it - is not worth anything. Ultimate has some advanced networking features and other things. But there are work around for nearly all of them. The 64-bit version has gotten better, but still there are compatibility issues. driver issues and I have yet to really feel the performance difference in anything but large flagship products developed for 64 bit. Games are not.

As far as the changing hardware/revalidating/upgrading - everyone here is right. You don't actually have to have a working install of the former OS (although, I thought it was a bit more of a hoop than simply popping the other disk in Chum...urm...Boy'n'Black). And, if the OEM refuses to validate, a phone call should do the trick. MS is actually pretty loose about that. But if you cheat - they somehow figure it out - especially on a network.

[gvblake22]

OH, thanks for the heads up azianai. I was always told that wouldn't work, but things must have changed!

[BrokenHalo83]

Yea, i have an OEM that came with my Compaq and when i decided to build my own I put the copy from the Compaq on and haven't had a problem.

[azianai]

Originally Posted by gvblake22

OH, thanks for the heads up azianai. I was always told that wouldn't work, but things must have changed!

NP, if that was the case you'd have heard me yelling from the top of the towers not to get OEM. The main disadvantage as least how I see it is you don't get direct support from microsoft. They'll just tell you to contact your OEM dealer or builder. Which for enthusiasts like us, isn't a problem since we can just come bug rich

[polobunny]

You're not supposed though, about the OEM keys...

[Boy'nBlack]

Originally Posted by MantaBase

although, I thought it was a bit more of a hoop than simply popping the other disk in Chum...urm...Boy'n'Black)...But if you cheat - they somehow figure it out - especially on a network.

weird huh? Put yourself in my shoes getting use to the boy, then chum, then boy again! Like Frosted mini wheats...I like the boy in me :D

Ya know, that install has been hit or miss with me. I get lost in what version asks for what. XP grade asks for the disc to be seen in the slot OR the install. That's a given. Vista, at first, has been simply needing the prior OS to be installed. If I had commented on this two months ago, this is where I'd stand. But for whatever reason, it's just not asking on Vista upgrades anymore. It still says it can't find the prior os, does a reboot...but if a prior disk is in during the reboot (stuck in as if "Oh ya, the disk") it doesn't ask after that failed attempt.

I'm not sure if it's some odd random pattern that's getting this to do it's thing (rub belly, pat head, do the moonwalk), or if it's actually a work around...but I've stopped having to install the XP to get a Vista Upgrade on disk. I'll have to leave that up in the air to be honest with ya'll.

But they sure do have the network snoop down. I know within an hour if a double install is going to hold or not, and have not had one yet. If I weren't so networkingly stupid, I'd think I could stop that.

[MantaBase]

Originally Posted by Boy'nBlack

weird huh? Put yourself in my shoes getting use to the boy, then chum, then boy again! Like Frosted mini wheats...I like the boy in me :D

Ya know, that install has been hit or miss with me. I get lost in what version asks for what. XP grade asks for the disc to be seen in the slot OR the install. That's a given. Vista, at first, has been simply needing the prior OS to be installed. If I had commented on this two months ago, this is where I'd stand. But for whatever reason, it's just not asking on Vista upgrades anymore. It still says it can't find the prior os, does a reboot...but if a prior disk is in during the reboot (stuck in as if "Oh ya, the disk") it doesn't ask after that failed attempt.

I'm not sure if it's some odd random pattern that's getting this to do it's thing (rub belly, pat head, do the moonwalk), or if it's actually a work around...but I've stopped having to install the XP to get a Vista Upgrade on disk. I'll have to leave that up in the air to be honest with ya'll.

But they sure do have the network snoop down. I know within an hour if a double install is going to hold or not, and have not had one yet. If I weren't so networkingly stupid, I'd think I could stop that.

Well, MS says one thing and it works a different way. The "work around" was published in hard print - but I guess it didn't get around.

If I weren't so networkingly stupid

Very funny. That's a subject not meant for this open forum. But personally, while I am not opposed to software making sure you are legit, I am opposed to a package doing a snoop I didn't agree to on a system it has no business snooping. All my stuff is legit obviously and at home I pay it no attention - we have a single secured station for things like banking. But at work there is no snooping - as there is rather sensative data around on all systems :) I encourage folks to treat a box on a network like its a box plugged directly into the highspeed port and thus interwebs :). WHile I don't know if that stops all snooping - it certainly stops the kind we don't need (or appears to). NOt sure it would stop a query on something as basic as an OS - never tried it. But I do know it blocks other snoops.

Arf - it's late.

[One4yu2c]

Originally Posted by Boy'nBlack

I like the boy in me :D

Too easy of a setup, so I'll pass on this one altogether. It's all yours if you want it, Hitman.

[Boy'nBlack]

I'm good at the set ups...it's fun to watch the pins fall. Only very boring people just roll balls down empty lanes!

There ya go...balls. More ammo. Hitman is an Okie though. He hasn't replied because he's still trying to decrypt most of the words into legible grunts and snorts.

Pot calling the kettle black...but oh well!