MS Windows Vista Ultimate SP1 $64.95 (for students)

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Devistater

Gawd
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Mar 29, 2001
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MS is running thier Ultimate Steal deal again, only this time they've added Windows Vista Ultimate (your choice of 32 or 64 bit) upgrade w/ SP1 for only $64.95!
This is for students only, essentially anyone with a .edu email address.
http://www.ultimatesteal.com
It shows vista under additional products on the main page, but you can click buy now on the office thing and it will take you to a registration page to submit your student email address.
Then you will get a link that signs you in and you can buy vista ultimate, office, 2007 visio 2007, or language packs for office.
Here's the terms and who is eligible:
http://www.microsoft.com/student/discounts/theultimatesteal-us/terms.aspx
 
FAQ

Is this a legitimate deal sponsored by MS?
The ultimate steal website is 100% legitimate, theres lots of direct confirmation by Microsoft themselves
Example link on MS's page:
http://www.microsoft.com/student/discounts/theultimatesteal-us/default.aspx
And a press release on Microsoft’s webpage about the ultimate steal's new products for this year:
http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2008/aug08/08-21UltimateStealPR.mspx
And a link to this on MS's education page:
http://www.microsoft.com/education/default.mspx
Vista and Viso are newly offered this school year, so even though this is temporarily OOS, you can rest assured they will fix the problem and offer vista again soon since its been publically announced by MS.

Do I need vista ultimate? What’s the difference between vista business, vista home, etc?
Here's the official differences listed by MS:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-vista/compare-editions/default.aspx
Both Business and ultimate have remote capabilities. Ultimate has some additional features relating to media center type stuff, and the ability to burn DVDs (you could use Nero or other software to burn DVDs). As well ultimate has the BitLocker drive encryption, but I'm not sure I'd trust that MS hasn't put backdoors into it. If the stuff is critical, probably better to use an open source encryption. That’s about all that ultimate has over business. Except for a couple additional games like Chess.
Oh and I almost forgot the Vista Ultimate Extras! This was a hyped feature of vista ultimate when it came out and so far MS has released.... wait for it...
A poker game, software that lets you use wmv videos as your desktop, and some language packs, and 2 extra sound themes.

Ok, but can I get it any cheaper?
There may be possible options for students to get this for less depending on your school/college/university/etc, and what classes or major you are taking.
For instance, if your school has an agreement with MS to distribute MS products to students/faculty. I've seen MS stuff as low as $20 each in cases like this. This will vary depending on your school, for instance my university has a special "shop" where students can go and buy MS stuff at a discount.
Another option is if your specific department in your school (for example, computer science) has an agreement with MS, through something called MSDNAA, or Academic Alliance. Anyway, for example, the computer science section at my university has an agreement so that anyone taking a computer science class can get a FREE copy of some MS titles. They let you burn a copy of a CD (or MS may offer a download), and then use your university email to give you a link to an official MS page to get an official cd key.
Check here to see if your school/college/university/etc is enrolled in the program, and if so, what department is involved:
http://www.msdnaa.net/search/schoolsearch.aspx?
I just searched for my own university and they offer vista business for FREE. So make sure to search there first before buying using the ultimatesteal. (It's likely that most educational places will only offer the business version rather than ultimate version).

What do I need to upgrade to vista? or
Will my computer or printer, etc work with vista?
According to MS, you need a version of windows 2000 or XP:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-vista/get/upgrade-your-pc-options.aspx
According to the ultimate steal webpage you can upgrade from almost anything under the sun including mac OS X, win 98, OS/2, NT, etc. But it says it requires a clean install, which is a mystery to me since this upgrade is somewhat strict.
Fortunately, there are workarounds to install a vista upgrade as a clean install (for instance, if you are having to reinstall vista after having previously installed it as an upgrade install). I found some just by googling: Vista Upgrade
Hardware compatibility with vista is best found by using the Vista upgrade advisor from MS:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-vista/get/upgrade-advisor.aspx
It will tell you if vista supports your computer, or if you need more memory for instance. It will also tell you if each of your components (such as printers, scanners, etc) is supported in vista.

What about SP1 for Vista?
This actually INCLUDES sp1 already integrated into the download. This is the best way to install SP's (Service Packs) from MS, much less probability of encountering problems compared to installing SP1 on an existing windows install.

I'm happy with XP, do I need vista?
Probably not. If you are a hardcore gamer, you'll probably want vista for directx 10.
You'll also need a modern graphics card (instead of the uber low performance Intel integrated, or obsolete nvidia FX series cards) that supports dx10 if you want to get dx10 graphics. Both ATI and nvidia have mid range modern dx10 good graphics cards for $200 or less. I wouldn't recommend under $100 though in most cases. Just keep an eye on hot deals.
If you like mostly classic and older games, you'll definitely want to keep XP (or at least on a dual boot). Many older games have issues with vista, and MS threw out hardware direct sound in vista (resulting in direct sound games only outputting stereo instead of 4 speaker surround using the vista software emulation).
The most common reason I've seen for upgrading is the new GUI, although many of the vista GUI features can be added to XP with free software.
Here's a page that details some of the ways you can do this:
http://www.computerworld.com/action...icleBasic&articleId=9026940&source=rss_news50
Plus, windows 7 is supposedly coming out in Jan 2010, which is hardly more than a year away.

The download just gives me a little .exe file, I need something else
Apparently they messed up on some orders and only gave a link for an 87 Meg install file. Later on they sent emails out that contained the links to the other 2 .wim files. See below for the links and more info.
32 bit: X14-63452.exe
64 bit: X14-63453.exe 92,002,320 bytes md5 0023ce102efe1b5b89ee18cc82b44d28


Can I install this on a Mac to dual boot with Mac OS X, using something such as Parallels/Boot Camp? or
I need an ISO file, not this silly 87 Meg .exe file
Here's the links for the install and boot .wim files
32 bit:
http://msft-dnl.digitalrivercontent.net/msvista/pub/msshus/vista32/install.wim
32bit install.wim 2,783,166,763 bytes md5 d0b3bed0dd72aa81e759ee6a6552207a
http://msft-dnl.digitalrivercontent.net/msvista/pub/msshus/vista32/boot.wim
32 bit boot.wim 133,129,475 bytes, md5 36af2cc29133eba6fdf5364ab5959f29
64 bit:
http://msft-dnl.digitalrivercontent.net/msvista/pub/msshus/vista64/install.wim
64 bit install.wim 3,587,141,686 bytes, md5 37334093fd17bd63b3100d8336587c2c
http://msft-dnl.digitalrivercontent.net/msvista/pub/msshus/vista64/boot.wim
64 bit boot.wim 151,404,499 bytes, md5 e7ff7b7dc0dc4aa9b368ec7c58dd6c56
You can use the md5 signatures to confirm that you've fully downloaded the files and that there's no errors in downloading that corrupted your files.
A quick Google and I found this link that shows instructions for converting these files into a DVD burnable .iso file:
(Note that you can use winrar or a similar program to extract the files from the .exe rather than running the .exe)
Illustrated guide on using the GUI version of cdimage:
http://www.mydigitallife.info/2007/...ootable-iso-image-from-vista-win-image-files/
Using the command line version of cd image:
http://www.mydigitallife.info/2007/05/10/how-to-make-vista-bootable-dvd-with-wim-downloaded-files/
This page (starting at post #166) of this thread also has some info on making an iso:
http://forums.slickdeals.net/showthread.php?t=917186&page=12
Here's an illustrated guide about using vlite to make the ISO (but it's more complicated since vlite is made for people who want to customize the vista install):
http://www.mydigitallife.info/2008/...able-dvd-from-microsoft-wim-with-vlite-guide/

I can't download that 2+ gig install.wim, every time I've tried it either gives me a 700 byte file or a 2.0 gig file! I've spent many hours trying and each time, bang at 2.0 gigs!
I did some testing (or rather these problems found me lol)
Turns out that with IE 6 (Internet Explorer 6), it only lets you download a mere 700 bytes of the file. Yay MS!
With FF 1.5 (FireFox 1.5 and probably earlier) it gets a little better, it stops on the 2.0 gig mark exactly.
Probably a legacy of the days of FAT32 hard drive partitions that only allowed maximum single file size of 2 gigs. That was one of the reasons to upgrade to NTFS. All modern computers likely have NTFS already, so no need to worry...unless your IE/FF is older like mine :)
IE7 and later should work, and I believe FF is fixed in version 2 or 3.

Wait a minute, I have 32 bit windows XP (or even vista) installed and it won't let me run that 64 bit exe Vista installer!
Presuming that you have a 64 bit capable CPU (mostly anything within last 5 years)...
According to MS themselves this isn't possible:
http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/windows/en-us/Help/41531554-d5ef-4f2c-8fb9-149bdc5c8a701033.mspx
However, there may be some possible avenues. You'll need to burn a DVD with a bootable version of the 64 bit media if you are upgrading from 32 bit XP to 64 bit vista. MS in their infinite wisdom made a deliberate choice to have the 64 bit upgrade installer exe only work if you had a 64 bit system to begin with. Once you have all 3 files (the exe and the .wim files, see above for the links) you'll need to follow the instructions (links above) about making a burnable .iso file. Then you might also need the workaround instructions for doing a clean install using the upgrade DVD (Google: Vista Upgrade). You probably can't do an "upgrade" install when going from 32 to 64 bit, so you will have to reinstall everything, probably for the best anyway to get a fresh install of windows. If doing a clean install of Vista isn't possible for you, you will have to stay with the 32 bit versions of vista. MS made this decision, so talk to them if you don't like it :)

Blah! Too much trouble! I just want a DVD and don't want to screw with burning an iso or
My internet is kind of slow (dial up?), or metered, or I just don't want to download, I just want a DVD!
Fortunately for you, Digital River sells a "backup DVD" that they will ship to you for a small extra fee ($13 I believe), I think this is offered as part of the vista purchase procedure.

But I've already finished the purchase or
I have a key from somewhere else
The company handling this has links to buy just the DVD media by themselves, you don't even need to be a student. Note that without a liscense/key you will not be able to use the dvds from these two links. Buying just the media from these two links do NOT come with liscense/key. It costs about $16ish to do it this way.
64 bit vista ultimate DVD (no key/liscense included with this link):
http://gc.digitalriver.com/store/wmp_phy/en_US/DisplayProductDetailsPage/productID.66059900
32 bit Vista ultimate DVD (no key/liscense included with this link):
http://gc.digitalriver.com/store/wmp_phy/en_US/DisplayProductDetailsPage/productID.66059800
Again, to be perfectly clear, these 2 links (Found on an FW thread) are for DVD media only and are not even part of the ultimate steal deal, they are just generic windows marketplace links for the media. The ultimate steal deal link is for $65 and is in the OP.

What about using this other vista DVD around? I don't want to bother with those files or anything, and I can use this other Vista DVD (maybe from a different vista version)
From what I understand, MS puts all versions of vista on a single DVD (one reason why it’s a DVD and not a cd). The only difference is what key you put into it when installing, and also what architecture you need to install. By default, only Vista Ultimate retail boxes have 32 and 64 bit DVDs in the box (all other retail copies have 32 bit by default), otherwise you have to do the Alternate media route, which involves purchasing the 64 bit disc for a nominal fee from Microsoft. So every vista DVD has home, home premium, business, ultimate, full, upgrade, etc.
Some OEM copies are 32 bit, some are 64 bit, check the label of the DVD to see what you have.
So yes, you should be able to use the key from this deal and use the vista DVD you have hanging around or borrowed or whatever to install with.
Oh, one other thing, ideally you'll be installing from a vista DVD that already has vista SP1 integrated into it. Yeah, you can download the updates, etc if it its earlier vista DVD, but it’s always easier/faster/less risky to just install windows with the service packs already integrated.

Confirmed by Ervinr82 on SD:
I can confirm that this is to be true. Recently after purchasing Vista Ultimate, impatience kicked in. To be straight forward, my friend had recently purchased an OEM Vista home premium x64 disc from a local retailer, after his install I then borrowed this disc, when the time came for me to enter the key during installation I entered the Key that was sent to me from Digital River after the purchase, and VIOLA Vista ultimate. NOTE: Keep in mind, that this has to be done with the correct architecture i.e. 32 bit or 64 bit, You CANNOT install 64 bit from a 32 bit disc,

How about customizing my vista install?
More info than you ever wanted to know about customizing the vista install.wim file.
http://www.msfn.org/board/GuideHow-to-modify-installwim-t111168.html

I need help from the company doing this deal!
Digital River has a help page:
https://store.digitalriver.com/store/msshus/DisplayHelpPage
That’s not enough, I want to email them!
[email protected]
That’s STILL not enough, I want to call them!
Digital River's Phone Number:
1-888-257-2433
1-866-234-6020 (M$ Tech support)
1-800-936-5700 (M$ Customer care)
 
for those who have never participated in this kind of event before, you actually download all the products - office, visio, etc. i imagine it is the same with vista ultimate (via anytime upgrade). if you want media, it will cost extra.

ALSO, if anybody is buying the 64bit upgrade, i'm looking for a 64bit dvd, so if you're not going to use it, i'd be very appreciative of a pm. i'm a student, but i don't realy want to spend $80 when all i want is a dvd.
 
NeoGohan said:
Can you install an upgrade version of vista with a clean install?
Click to expand...

Yes, there's a workaround, as I mention in FAQ, google vista upgrade.
Short version: Install once without putting in key, then install again (you upgrade your vista to vista) and this time use your key.
MS has known about this workaround for a while, I imagine its there for situations like in case you upgrade from XP and then can no longer install XP to upgrade from again if something happens.
stainremover said:
for those who have never participated in this kind of event before, you actually download all the products - office, visio, etc. i imagine it is the same with vista ultimate (via anytime upgrade). if you want media, it will cost extra.

ALSO, if anybody is buying the 64bit upgrade, i'm looking for a 64bit dvd, so if you're not going to use it, i'd be very appreciative of a pm. i'm a student, but i don't realy want to spend $80 when all i want is a dvd.
Click to expand...
If you need the DVD only and don't need a key, I put links in the FAQ where you can purchase just the media for about $16 from digital river (they handle MS's marketplace online purchases for vista).
Or, I included links in the FAQ to download the 2 .wim files which are the majority of the files you need, you just need to get the .exe file.
Finally, if you already have a key, you could just "download" a vista image from various places on the net, of course this is a riskier course of action, since you never know if there are trojans, etc.
 
Check first if your college is part of MSDNAA and see if you can get an account on there. From there, you can get Vista for free like I did along with a ton of expensive software for free. I have gotten two licenses of vista biz, XP pro, Visual studio team suite 08, and probably MS server 08 enterprise soon if I feel like it.

There is a good chance that if you are a computer science major, you can get this for free from your college.
 
I can make an install disk out of the vista download right? much like an ISO? If I can only run this from an install on a HD, I'll pass. Want to verify before I pull the trigger
 
I just read an old article from 2006 saying that not many drivers were compatible with 64-bit Vista. Has this issue been remedied since then?
 
Khaydarin said:
I just read an old article from 2006 saying that not many drivers were compatible with 64-bit Vista. Has this issue been remedied since then?
Click to expand...

I've been using Vista 64 bit for quite a while. It depends what hardware you are using, but I've rarely had a problem getting compatible drivers for my stuff.

celwin said:
I can make an install disk out of the vista download right? much like an ISO? If I can only run this from an install on a HD, I'll pass. Want to verify before I pull the trigger
Click to expand...

I'd like to know about this as well.
 
Awesome. I just purchased this, and I'm saving it for my new build (in early November). Thanks for the heads-up!
 
I get almost all of microsoft's software for free through my university's school of engineering so this isn't that hot to me :p
 
Ihaveworms said:
Check first if your college is part of MSDNAA and see if you can get an account on there. From there, you can get Vista for free like I did along with a ton of expensive software for free. I have gotten two licenses of vista biz, XP pro, Visual studio team suite 08, and probably MS server 08 enterprise soon if I feel like it.

There is a good chance that if you are a computer science major, you can get this for free from your college.
Click to expand...
Yep, which is why I put the MS link to search for if your school/college/university is part of MSDNAA, and if so, what department(s) in the FAQ :)
Unfortunately, my university (like yours and probably most others) doesn't offer the ultimate version, only business version. And this semester I'm not taking any computer science courses so I cant get it.
celwin said:
I can make an install disk out of the vista download right? much like an ISO? If I can only run this from an install on a HD, I'll pass. Want to verify before I pull the trigger
Click to expand...
Yep, detailed illustrated guides on doing this are linked in the FAQ.
 
Thanks for the info on the MSDNAA- turns out my major is a part of it, and after emailing the department head, he gave me a login and I'm now downloading Vista Business, XP Pro, Visio 2007, and VS .NET 2005 for free. I already have two copies of Vista Ultimate that my boss bought for me using her faculty/staff discount ($10 each, woop), but now I can use the Business one for VMWare for testing instead of only being able to use 30 day chunks of unactivated time.
 
stainremover said:
for those who have never participated in this kind of event before, you actually download all the products - office, visio, etc. i imagine it is the same with vista ultimate (via anytime upgrade). if you want media, it will cost extra.

ALSO, if anybody is buying the 64bit upgrade, i'm looking for a 64bit dvd, so if you're not going to use it, i'd be very appreciative of a pm. i'm a student, but i don't realy want to spend $80 when all i want is a dvd.
Click to expand...

Why don't you just order it from MS? The alternative media only costs around 10 bucks for shipping.
 
mpeg4v3 said:
Thanks for the info on the MSDNAA- turns out my major is a part of it, and after emailing the department head, he gave me a login and I'm now downloading Vista Business, XP Pro, Visio 2007, and VS .NET 2005 for free. I already have two copies of Vista Ultimate that my boss bought for me using her faculty/staff discount ($10 each, woop), but now I can use the Business one for VMWare for testing instead of only being able to use 30 day chunks of unactivated time.
Click to expand...
No problem, glad to be of help! Sounds like you got a nice haul, and best of all its legit straight from MS :)

nilepez said:
Why don't you just order it from MS? The alternative media only costs around 10 bucks for shipping.
Click to expand...
I gave a link in the FAQ where he can get the media for $16ish from digital river (they handle MS's marketplace online purchases) and told him that in both a reply and a PM. I didn't know MS had a direct link for that kinda thing.
But you are right, after a quick google:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/1033/ordermedia/default.mspx

I can't verify the price since they want the cd key and I dont want to put mine in, in case they disable it or something, but it looks like they offer a 32 bit cd version or a 64 bit DVD version. I dunno if they offer a 32 bit DVD or not, since its not listed in the choices.

But thanks for the heads up on it!
 
Awesome, I have access to MSDNAA also. I did a quick Google search earlier and found that I should be eligible for it. With classes starting Monday, I figured I'd check it out some time after that point. It's 3 am and I just logged on to my student account to find an email giving me my login info for the MSDNAA. That's some crazy timing.
 
Ihaveworms said:
Check first if your college is part of MSDNAA and see if you can get an account on there. From there, you can get Vista for free like I did along with a ton of expensive software for free. I have gotten two licenses of vista biz, XP pro, Visual studio team suite 08, and probably MS server 08 enterprise soon if I feel like it.

There is a good chance that if you are a computer science major, you can get this for free from your college.
Click to expand...

Bah, my old crappy community college is part of the program but not my current huge expensive private university. Why didn't I know about this when I was at my last school.
 
I downloaded the three required files once I bought this, and now they are on a DVD in the same folder (so I don't have to redownload them in the future). If I want to put this onto a brand new hard drive on a newly built PC, do I have to install another "upgradable" OS (like XP Pro) before I can run this?

What if the previous OS (like my old example, XP Pro) is 32-bit, and the Vista Ultimate version that I bought is 64-bit? Any real issues with installing 32-bit XP Pro then popping in the Vista (64-bit) DVD? Between the XP Pro installation and the Vista installation, do I have to install all my hardware drivers?
 
You can't do an upgrade from 32 to 64. That's always a clean install, AFAIK.

There's not a problem, but it's not going to be an upgrade install.
 
Khaydarin said:
I downloaded the three required files once I bought this, and now they are on a DVD in the same folder (so I don't have to redownload them in the future). If I want to put this onto a brand new hard drive on a newly built PC, do I have to install another "upgradable" OS (like XP Pro) before I can run this?

What if the previous OS (like my old example, XP Pro) is 32-bit, and the Vista Ultimate version that I bought is 64-bit? Any real issues with installing 32-bit XP Pro then popping in the Vista (64-bit) DVD? Between the XP Pro installation and the Vista installation, do I have to install all my hardware drivers?
Click to expand...

Just keep in mind that just putting those 3 files on the DVD doesn't make it bootable.
So yeah, you will have to install another windows simply because you don't have a bootable windows dvd.

If you make it bootable though, you can install anyway you like ,upgrade or clean (see the workaround I mentioned for clean installs using the upgrade).
Also the previous reply is correct as well, you can't do upgrade install when you mix 32/64 bit. eg. you can upgrade from 64 bit to 64 bit, but not from 32 to 64, you need a clean install.
 
Devistater said:
Just keep in mind that just putting those 3 files on the DVD doesn't make it bootable.
So yeah, you will have to install another windows simply because you don't have a bootable windows dvd.

If you make it bootable though, you can install anyway you like ,upgrade or clean (see the workaround I mentioned for clean installs using the upgrade).
Also the previous reply is correct as well, you can't do upgrade install when you mix 32/64 bit. eg. you can upgrade from 64 bit to 64 bit, but not from 32 to 64, you need a clean install.
Click to expand...
Ah I understand now; thanks for patiently explaining these things! :eek:

One more thing: if I split up a new hard drive into two partitions ("A" and "B") and put stuff on partition "A", can I still do a clean install of 64-bit Vista onto partition "B while the other partition remains untouched?
 
Khaydarin said:
Ah I understand now; thanks for patiently explaining these things! :eek:

One more thing: if I split up a new hard drive into two partitions ("A" and "B") and put stuff on partition "A", can I still do a clean install of 64-bit Vista onto partition "B while the other partition remains untouched?
Click to expand...
No problem, I like to explain things :)

Yes, kinda. I'm going to do the same, keep my XP on first partition, and install vista on 2nd partition.

BUT, it may not leave the primary partition on your boot drive 100% untouched. I belive it puts a boot menu on it so you can choose vista or XP, or whatever everytime your computer boots. You should be able to have it default to whatever you like. This is the way it was with XP, and I think vista is similar.

Its complicated a bit if you have linux and xp and vista, etc, you may have to use your own loader or boot menu, but anyway, the point is, it depends on what else your system has around.


If you were asking if it would erase your data on that other parition, no it shouldn't delete anything as long as you don't choose to while setting up.
One tip:
Make sure to give each partition a unique label (click on the drive in explorer), I've found that helps with identifying the partition you want to keep untouched, because usually things like XP setup will mention the drive/partition lable when giving you a choice.
For instance c: drive could be "OS DRIVE" g: drive could be "GAMES"
 
So what exactly is the file that you download? Is it some type of executable, or is it something I can burn to disc and boot with?

Im trying to do a clean install on a brand new system with no current OS.
 
Right, I read that part, but how do I go about creating a bootable disk so that I can install it the first time on a computer that doesnt already have an OS on it?
 
Raines8416 said:
So what exactly is the file that you download? Is it some type of executable, or is it something I can burn to disc and boot with?

Im trying to do a clean install on a brand new system with no current OS.
Click to expand...

Raines8416 said:
Right, I read that part, but how do I go about creating a bootable disk so that I can install it the first time on a computer that doesnt already have an OS on it?
Click to expand...

Its 3 files they give you, an exe and two .wim files. There are instructions linked in the FAQ to tell how to turn those into a burnable .ISO which if you then burn to a DVD is bootable.

Alternativly, just borrow someone's vista disk and use the key that you get when you buy it in this deal. Just make sure to match the 32 bit or 64 bit DVD with whatever one you buy.

So for instance one could buy the 64 bit student version, and go borrow a 64 bit vista DVD, and install it that way. A vista DVD has all versions of vista on it, home, home premium, business, ultimate, it just depends on the key. Just that like a 64 bit vista dvd only has 64 bit versions of all those.
 
I did the last one on the MS Office 2007. It works. I wish I should had waiting for the Ultimate but mine is all I need for what I do...

A++++ to Ultimate Steal...

I opted to get the CD for a few bucks more just to have. I have it installed on my PC, my brothers PC and my little brothers laptop.
 
thanks army. Now do I get 32 or 64 hummmm

If we do the install install route and not upgrade can this be done with an existing xp?
If not can xp be installed after vista for dual boot?
 
sparks said:
Is this a one time install or a full version?
Click to expand...
Its exactly like any other vista version except its supposed to be for students. Its an upgrade but you can do clean installs with a workaround.
sparks said:
thanks army. Now do I get 32 or 64 hummmm

If we do the install install route and not upgrade can this be done with an existing xp?
If not can xp be installed after vista for dual boot?
Click to expand...
Vista can do upgrade or clean with XP installed (although if XP is 32 and vista is 64 bit you must do clean).
In either case, you should be able to do dual boot, however you may have to screw with the boot loader a bit if you install XP 2nd I think.

There's lots of guides on the internet about dual booting XP and Vista. I'd suggest separate partitions (or drives), but they can probably be done on same one.

Just be careful about your choices (like dont tell vista to wipe your XP hdd) when installing and it should be fine.
 
I think you should add the word "upgrade" to the title. I thought this was for the full version and just about choked on my drink. ;)
 
Xee said:
I think you should add the word "upgrade" to the title. I thought this was for the full version and just about choked on my drink. ;)
Click to expand...

As pointed out in the post just above yours, you can do full clean installs with a workaround. For $65, I'd think that it's well worth a small workaround.
 
I don't understand why they wouldn't include the msdn iso, even if it is an Upgrade Edition it makes it so much easier having a disc you can hold on to.

As far as I know, you can use any Vista 32bit DVD to install the 32bit version of Home Basic, Home Premuim, Business, Ultimate, or the Upgrade editions. And any Vista 64bit DVD to install the 64 bit versions. What product gets installed depends entirely on the cdkey you provide. So if you know someone that has the MSDN iso or retail DVD, you should be able to borrow their disc and use your key to install Vista without having to create your own bootable disc, or buy the replacement media as previously suggested.

If you don't have a previous OS installed, in order to install a clean copy of Vista using an Upgrade Edition cdkey, you must first install Vista leaving the cdkey field blank (to get a 30 day trial). Once it boots into windows, you can insert the disc again (or run the exe you got from ultimatesteal) and then it will let you install Vista using the Upgrade cdkey.

And if you do have a friend with an MSDN iso and need to check if it's the 32bit or 64bit version, here are the hashes found on Microsoft Technet:

Vista w SP1
32bit
File Name: en_windows_vista_with_service_pack_1_x86_dvd_x14-29594.iso
Date Posted: 2/25/2008
SHA1: BCD715A02739809E477C726AE4B5CAA914156429 ISO/CRC: CE4CB528

File Name: en_windows_vista_business_with_service_pack_1_x86_dvd_x14-56028.iso
Date Posted: 3/6/2008
SHA1: 7E6A387E53E1CF77244E637B28A37D529BB85D39 ISO/CRC: CBD8E31C​
64bit
File Name: en_windows_vista_with_service_pack_1_x64_dvd_x14-29595.iso
Date Posted: 2/28/2008
SHA1: BDADC46A263A7BF67EB38609770E4FDBD05247CB ISO/CRC: 5CC5BE14

File Name: en_windows_vista_business_with_service_pack_1_x64_dvd_x14-56048.iso
Date Posted: 3/6/2008
SHA1: 9324CB4EC463EE73DF820C689CD4B73340860CB2 ISO/CRC: 95FC2F77​


Vista
32bit
File Name: en_windows_vista_x86_dvd_X12-34293.iso
Date Posted: 11/16/2006
SHA1: B71E04564CA22E4D9928E59298EFF87CF62B382B ISO/CRC: C11363AA

File Name: en_windows_vista_business_x86_DVD_VL_X13-13415.iso
Date Posted: 12/8/2006
SHA1: B627ED5518F545B2CE7FD03774A57E95AE66998E ISO/CRC: A6BAD16A​
64bit
File Name: en_windows_vista_x64_dvd_X12-40712.iso
Date Posted: 11/16/2006
SHA1: 04671CE6713921983FF23AB9FC3E7A9280712B94 ISO/CRC: CE211A58

File Name: en_windows_vista_business_x64_DVD_VL_X13-13435.iso
Date Posted: 1/25/2007
SHA1: 60C1C2BB13679DCBD7B032095DCDE089A696C55A ISO/CRC: ABC4EDC8​
Source: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/subscriptions/downloads/default.aspx
Click to expand...
 
The 2gb file link is dead for me now and I just paid for my key 5 minutes ago. Sigh now I gotta call and complain but maybe they will give me a discount... =/

Edit: Nevermind, it seems Google Chrome will not let you download files that big but IE will. Weird!
 
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