Vista Activation/Key

mealmond

Hi

I am presently running Vista Business.

My brother has or had Vista Ultimate but had now removed it from his computer and uses Unbutu instead.

Is there any way I could use his key number to upgrade my version of Vista.

I realise that I may have to speak to Microsoft, but does somebody know the process to follow or has anybody done this.

As I said, my brother has no intention of using Vista again and that is why he is willing to give me his key number.


Thanks for any help.


Martin

PeteHerts

If you already have Vista Business then why would you want another key?
I think the keys go together with the type of Vista you have so you'll need to install his copy of Vista Ultimate to use his key but if the key is being used elsewhere then that will not work.

[Deleted User]

Was his copy of Vista preinstalled on his computer?

Ice_2

uninstall business and install ultimate as long as he hasn't got it on his anymore it should be fine...
as long as he didn't register it to his name...all should be fine...
if you have to ring them they will ask you if you have it installed on any other pc's you say no...that simple...good luck ...:D

Marty_J

If his copy of Vista came with his computer, then under the OEM licence it can't be installed on another computer. Well it can be installed, but Microsoft won't activate it. Once it has been activated, then it is tied to that computer.

So if that's the case then no, you can't use his serial number to upgrade your copy of Vista.

Conor_3

In addition to that, if it were an upgrade and from Home Premium or Basic, you'd not be able to do it either.

tomsolomon

You could always take a leaf out of his book and install Linux...............:D

doddod

by upgrade, if you mean you want to do a clean installation of MS Ultimate on your PC using your brother's now redundant license key, as long as you have an MS Ultimate operating system installation CD, then this is straghtforward enough.

simply install the OS, and at the point of registration and activation, simply select the phone activation method. you will not be able to register/activate automatically on-line as i'd imagine your brother has already done this previously.

by selecting phone activation, you do not ever actually speak to anyone, but are taken through a series of menu systems, where a new activation key is generated, based on the authenticity of your brothers original license.

as long as this license key is only being used on one active PC, you will have no problems.

it is untrue that once a license key has been activated, it is locked or tied to that computer.

bear in mind that if you install ultimate over your vista business os, you will lose all your currently installed programs and data. make sure you do a back-up first.

Marty_J

doddod wrote: »

it is untrue that once a license key has been activated, it is locked or tied to that computer.

An OEM licence is only valid for one computer. It cannot be transferred to another computer. Trying to do so is a violation of the EULA.

mealmond

Thank you for all the responses, now the fog is a little clearer.

Can I please just ask a couple of more questions to clarify some of the replies;

My brother's system came with Vista Ultimate installed, he only used it for the first month then went to Unbutu, I have waited a few months to ask to make sure he was not going back. I really wanted the Media set up. In my mind, me using the key, is only the same as him swapping his Vista to another computer.

I understand the install disc has all versions of Vista on it, so if I do a clean install and then go though phone activation, I should get Vista Ultimate, is that correct?

Also, if I do a back up of my present system, given I have Vista Business at the moment, will I be able to pull any documents or programs if the upgrade went as planned?

I am still considering if it is worth doing this but I would like the Media Centre and it seems a waste not to use by brothers key as otherwise it goes to waste and at the same time I am ot using pirate software, which I don't agree with.

Martin

[Deleted User]

mealmond wrote: »

Thank you for all the responses, now the fog is a little clearer.

Can I please just ask a couple of more questions to clarify some of the replies;

My brother's system came with Vista Ultimate installed, he only used it for the first month then went to Unbutu, I have waited a few months to ask to make sure he was not going back. I really wanted the Media set up. In my mind, me using the key, is only the same as him swapping his Vista to another computer.

I understand the install disc has all versions of Vista on it, so if I do a clean install and then go though phone activation, I should get Vista Ultimate, is that correct?

Also, if I do a back up of my present system, given I have Vista Business at the moment, will I be able to pull any documents or programs if the upgrade went as planned?

I am still considering if it is worth doing this but I would like the Media Centre and it seems a waste not to use by brothers key as otherwise it goes to waste and at the same time I am ot using pirate software, which I don't agree with.

Martin

Which under the conditions of the EULA for the Original Equipment Manufacturer version of Vista, you are not permitted to do.