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General discussion

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium Upgrade (Academic)

Sep 19, 2007 3:23AM PDT

is Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium Upgrade (Academic) the same as the commercial version? im running Xp media center, can i use Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium Upgrade (Academic) to create a dual boot system?

Discussion is locked

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No...
Sep 19, 2007 2:03PM PDT

1.) The academic version may come with some restrictions, including but not limited to being restricted to educational use (not personal or commercial) and being limited to use for as long as you remain a student. You'd need to check with the provider to find out exactly what the restrictions are. (Academic discount rate vs MSDN-AA vs volume licensing agreement is usually the determining factor.)

2.) An upgrade license may only be used to upgrade a qualifying version of Windows, NOT create a dual boot or other clean installation.

Sorry, but it looks like you'll have to purchase a license for your intended purposes.

John

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thanks anyway
Sep 19, 2007 8:27PM PDT

thanks 4 the heads up, il just stick with the regular version, will it matter if try to use vista home premium upgrade? or will i need home premium? (not the upgrade version)

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premium or Basic?
Sep 19, 2007 8:50PM PDT

is it worth paying more for premium than basic, iv been lookng at the features and other than the aero interface there doesnt seem to be anything very usefull about it.

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Full version...
Sep 20, 2007 1:04AM PDT

The upgrade, be it academic or retail, won't let you create a dual-boot system or perform a clean installation. If you want to upgrade from XP MCE that's fine, but otherwise it must be a full license, not just an upgrader's edition.

However, note that you can also choose to purchase an OEM copy from Newegg.com, TigerDirect.com, etc. OEM copies lack technical support and are forever locked to your motherboard once installed the first time, but are otherwise identical to their retail cousins. That can save you considerable cash if upgrading isn't the goal.

As to Basic vs Premium, AERO is accompanied by Windows Media Center, scheduled data backups, games, and the Movie and DVD maker programs. For basic use Home Basic is fine, but if you want the multimedia aspects it's definitely worth it.

Hope this helps,
John

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For manishpa...
Sep 20, 2007 7:28AM PDT

Your post offering a copy of Vista Home Premium has been deleted. As per the forum policies, piracy is not tolerated.

John

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OEM
Sep 20, 2007 7:46AM PDT

if i get the OEM version will i still be able to upgrade my graphics card and things other than my motherboard? and will i be able to use the OEM disk to reboot my computer, or once you use it is the disk useless?

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and one last thing....
Sep 20, 2007 7:56AM PDT

back to the academic thing again, do you know if the academic version works the same ie: can you play games and download things as normal?

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OEM and Academic...
Sep 20, 2007 12:10PM PDT

If you go with an OEM license you can reinstall the OS as many times as you need on that computer and can still upgrade every component aside from the motherboard as often as you like. You may be prompted to call Microsoft at some point, as you would with any copy of Windows XP or Vista, but as long as it's the same motherboard they'll wave you on ahead.

As to the academic copy, it really depends on the terms. Retail versions sold at academic discounts are typically unrestricted, volume license copies usually have to be returned to the college/university unless certain conditions are met, and MSDN-AA copies are generally restricted to academic use. There's no technical restrictions implemented (it's bit-for-bit the same OS), but the license may forbid normal activities and can be revoked should you be caught in violation of any of them. Do you happen to know which academic agreement it is?

John