I have a laptop here that I am trying to upgrade to Ultimate. I have the proper upgrade from MS, both 32 and 64bit versions, yet when I try and perform the upgrade, the option to upgrade is not available, only the option to install a clean copy.

I have looked all over but the only thing I can come up with is maybe it is because it is an OEM version of VHP from HP that came on the laptop.

Anyone have any clues?

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"Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit upon his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats." -Henry Louis Mencken
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VEGETARIAN -Noun (vej-i-tair-ee-uhn): Ancient tribal slang for the village idiot who can't hunt, fish or ride.

Yep, I can verify that Vista OEM will not upgrade to retail Vista. I was just at a MS Technet seminar this week where they discussed that.

It's a licensing limitation- but it was poorly planned.

Haha, well fuck....

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"Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit upon his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats." -Henry Louis Mencken
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VEGETARIAN -Noun (vej-i-tair-ee-uhn): Ancient tribal slang for the village idiot who can't hunt, fish or ride.

So can you change the license key from an OEM key to a retail key and then do the upgrade?

_________________

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"Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit upon his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats." -Henry Louis Mencken
_____
VEGETARIAN -Noun (vej-i-tair-ee-uhn): Ancient tribal slang for the village idiot who can't hunt, fish or ride.

I'm not sure how you'd change the license key without formatting, but if it's possible, that should work. Retail will upgrade to retail, OEM is basically stuck where it's at (without doing a full install).

The key is stored in an encoded format in the registry, it is possible to change it. You're better off doing a clean install though. Part of the reason they don't allow upgrades of OEM to full is the modifications the distributers make to kill the software on other platforms. Upgrading it by changing keys could hose the OS.

Sarissa Candyangel

In vista you can go right into the system screen (right click the computer in the task bar, choose properties just like in XP) and down at the bottom is a link to change your Key.


Click on it and it even tells you you will need to reactivate your software...



Gonna go get a copy of VHP retail and see if it works or not.

I'll keep ya posted.

_________________

_____
"Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit upon his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats." -Henry Louis Mencken
_____
VEGETARIAN -Noun (vej-i-tair-ee-uhn): Ancient tribal slang for the village idiot who can't hunt, fish or ride.

Ah, that's considerably easier than I expected then.

There used to be a feature like that in XP, where you could delete the key containing your code and it'd pop up with options to enter one. This was pre-'genuine advantage' so ymmv.

Sarissa Candyangel

added pics!

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_____
"Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit upon his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats." -Henry Louis Mencken
_____
VEGETARIAN -Noun (vej-i-tair-ee-uhn): Ancient tribal slang for the village idiot who can't hunt, fish or ride.

Are you using the Windows Anytime Upgrade? or just a standard upgrade disk?

I think you can only do that through windows anytime upgrade. If you change to retail though you should be able to use the upgrade.

There's a method Khan. Look up a tool called VOATKToolsV.2.5 (I can mail it to ya if you want, it's small) and you can perform a command switch from OEM to Retail with ease. Then your upgrade option should be available. You'll only need to clear the OEM key (also performed by the tool) and leave it in an unactivated state.

Let me know if you can't find it.

I miss the good ole days of 98, with everyone having 1111-11111-11111-11111-111 as their serial.

these days it's such a hassle for me to deal w/ all the activation bs so i just use a cracked copy, even though i own ultimate legally.

Lou, the upgrade is an anytime compatible disk.

I found it Elle, Ill try it tomorrow.
Many thanks.

_________________

_____
"Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit upon his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats." -Henry Louis Mencken
_____
VEGETARIAN -Noun (vej-i-tair-ee-uhn): Ancient tribal slang for the village idiot who can't hunt, fish or ride.

Ok it removed the OEM key, but it still will not upgrade without a valid retail key...

Anyone have one lying around? Just need it to allow the upgrade...

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_____
"Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit upon his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats." -Henry Louis Mencken
_____
VEGETARIAN -Noun (vej-i-tair-ee-uhn): Ancient tribal slang for the village idiot who can't hunt, fish or ride.

I have a valid retail key, but it's for Ultimate edition which I'm currently using, heh. Ah well.

I thought you had a VHP copy there? Or were you talking about buying one?

Buying one...

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"Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit upon his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats." -Henry Louis Mencken
_____
VEGETARIAN -Noun (vej-i-tair-ee-uhn): Ancient tribal slang for the village idiot who can't hunt, fish or ride.

I think I have an MSDN key lying around. I'll check once I get back home later tonight.

Forgot to ask, x64 or x86?

nm, same key for both on MSDN Inc key on PM.