Purchasing and Licensing a new Vista Operating System

 

How to Purchase and License a New Vista Operating System

 

     Here are a few of the most frequently asked questions about how to purchase and activate Vista

 

Welcome traveler to our continuing hubs on everything about Vista, if you’re looking to upgrade or acquire Microsoft’s newest operating system, Windows Vista, you will probably have a few questions, even after reading Microsoft’s cautiously drafted marketing information.  So below we have some of the most frequently asked questions about the mysterious process of purchasing and activating Vista.

 

1.       How can I obtain Microsoft Windows Vista?

·         Microsoft offers you four ways to obtain new copies of Windows Vista; preinstalled on a new PC from an OEM (original equipment manufacturer) or approved Microsoft System Builder, as a packaged product available at outlets or from authorized online sources, as a volume license, which is a purchasing option for larger organizations wanting to upgrade a minimum of five Microsoft product licenses obtained through one or both of the first two acquisition methods (this includes academic licenses), and the last as SA/EA (Software Assurance/Enterprise Agreement) Offerings, which are enhanced forms of Volume Licensing Agreements that include three years’ worth of product protection for upgrades to new versions of the software covered under the volume license agreement.

 

2.       Can I obtain any version of Windows Vista I choose from any of those four sources?

·         Unfortunately all the versions have limitations on where and when they can be obtained.  Vista Home Basic and Vista Home Premium are only available preinstalled or as retail products.  Upgrades from Windows 2000 or XP are available only thorough retail packaged products, sneaky they are.  Vista Business Edition is available through retail stores, preinstalled, or through a Volume License.  Vista Ultimate can be obtained through SA Offerings, as a retail product, or preinstalled.  Finally, Vista Enterprise is only available through SA/EA Offerings.

 

3.       Where can I obtain Windows Vista?

·         You can obtain a new OEM license and installation of the designated versions of Windows Vista from just about any old PC manufacturer when you purchase a new computer.  They want to sell, so most retail stores and Web sites carrying software (such as CompUSA, Best Buy, Circuit City, Sam’s Club, Costco, Amazon.com, newegg.com, eBay, and Buy.com) have Windows Vista ready and waiting for sale to you in the retail packaged product versions.  To purchase a Volume License or obtain Software Assurance offerings, for whatever reason, always deal directly with Microsoft at the Web site, www.microsoft.com/licensing.

 

4.       What do I need to know about the terms and conditions for upgrading to Vista from previous versions of Windows?

·         You can upgrade to a corresponding or better edition of Windows Vista if you have a supported version of Windows 2000 or Windows XP.  If you are operating any of Microsoft’s earlier versions, Windows 95, Windows 98, or Windows Me, then you will need to purchase and install a full retail version of Windows Vista, good for Microsoft hey!

 

5.       What are downgrade rights?

·         Downgrade rights allow consumers who may wish to operate on older applications that are incompatible with Windows Vista to remove Vista from a computer and install a previous version of Windows on that computer.  Unfortunately this is only applicable if you have purchased a preinstalled (OEM) version of Vista Business or Vista Ultimate or have Vista Enterprise.  In addition, the consumer cannot use both the downgraded operating system and Windows Vista on the same PC.  But end users can use the following media for their downgrade: Volume Licensing media (provided the end user has a Volume Licensing Agreement), Retail, or System Builder hologram CD (provided the software is acquired in accordance with the Microsoft OEM System Builder License.

 

6.       How does activation for Windows Vista differ with activation for previous versions of Windows?

·         Microsoft has made the process to activate Vista essentially the same as it was with Windows XP.  If you’re connected via the internet, Vista will connect automatically to the Microsoft activation service and activate the license for you.  If you do not have access to the Internet, you can call a toll-free number and activate the software either through a touchtone process or by speaking with a Microsoft activation representative.

For volume license versions of Vista being used by businesses, there are two new methods of activation: The MAK (Multiple Activation Key) system enables each product key to activate a specific number of computers.  MAK activation is required only once per PC, unless there are significant hardware changes.  The second method is KMS (Key Management Service) which lets businesses activate a large number of copies of Windows Vista.  KMS requires at least 25 computer’s be connected to a companies network.  (Note:  Be sure to check out the hubs in coming days of Volume Licensing for small businesses)

For additional information about activating the enterprise version of Vista, visit www.microsoft.com/technet/windowsvista/plan/faq.mspx.

 

7.       How many times can I activate my copy of Windows Vista?

·         Heavens to Betsy, your copy of Windows Vista can only be automatically activated once and only on one computer.

 

8.       What if I make changes to my computer?  What kind of changes will invalidate my activation?

·         Microsoft’s Windows Vista is activated based on the specific configuration that was present at the time of initial activation – specifically, the motherboard, processor, and hard drive.  If you change several components, such as during a hardware upgrade, Windows may require reactivation.  Changing motherboard and processor, for example, requires reactivation of the product.  Although adding a hard drive should not cause reactivation, replacing the drive on which Vista was originally installed will require you to reactivate your copy of Vista.

 

9.       What happens if my Vista PC gets deactivated?

·         If you do change your hardware and it deactivates your computer, you can reactivate by going online or by calling the activation line and explain that you had a hardware failure.  If you do not reactivate, you will be forced into RFM (Reduced Functionality Mode).  In RFM, there is no Start menu and no Desktop icons are displayed for your convenience.  Internet connectivity will not be blocked, and the Web browser will open automatically and be fully functional, so you can use the Internet to either reactivate the software of purchase a legitimate license key.  After one hour, the system will log you out without warning; very irritating let me tell you.  The computer will not shut down, however, so you’ll be able to log back in.  In RFM, Windows Defender will only fix absolutely critical issues and will not warn of other problems with the computer.  The official Microsoft Update Service Web site will run in reduced mode, and the new Aero interface will be non-functional.

 

  Well that’s it for this hub on some of the most frequently asked questions about purchasing and activating Microsoft’s new operating system Vista.  We hope these answers help you with some of the problems you might be experiencing.  Look for more hubs in the coming days on Vista and everything you need to know about Microsoft’s new monstrosity.  Until then traveler, happy hubbing!