What type of windows vista disc to buy?

[lpboy96]

I want to install vista on my mac using bootcamp. Will a windows vista upgrade disc work? i've been told during the installation proccesse it ask you to eject the cd and put a cd key to validate you have a previous or legal windows cd? is this true? here is the link so if you can tell me if i should buy it and it will work.

http://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-Win..._17?ie=UTF8&s=software&qid=1255480902&sr=8-17

 

[Stridder44]

I want to install vista on my mac using bootcamp. Will a windows vista upgrade disc work? i've been told during the installation proccesse it ask you to eject the cd and put a cd key to validate you have a previous or legal windows cd? is this true? here is the link so if you can tell me if i should buy it and it will work.

http://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-Win..._17?ie=UTF8&s=software&qid=1255480902&sr=8-17

Save your money by skipping Vista altogether and buy Windows 7 (which should be released on October 22nd I believe). Honestly, I liked Vista 64-bit, but Windows 7 is just so much better. And yes, Windows 7 will work perfectly with your Mac, as many of us here already run it.

 

[gugucom]

Vista64 Business is actually a lot better than its rep. If you want a powerfull Windows for a Mac with lots of RAM and get it dirt cheap Vista64 Business System Builder is a pretty good bet. Buying it used on Ebay is cost effective. But make sure it really is an SBE.

 

[andrew upstairs]

Upgrade won't work unless you have a previous version.

Why not wait until 7? In the meantime (two weeks or so?), the RC is still a free download, I believe.

 

[gugucom]

Upgrade won't work unless you have a previous version.

Why not wait until 7? In the meantime (two weeks or so?), the RC is still a free download, I believe.

nope, RC-download ended August 20.

 

[balamw]

Upgrade won't work unless you have a previous version.

Not quite true for Vista, you can install a version from upgrade media without a product key and update that. This is the only way to do a clean install on Vista with upgrade media. http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/winvista_upgrade_clean.asp NOTE: This method has been apparently removed in 7.

Though as gugucom says you can often get SBE for less than upgrade pricing. However the OP was looking at a $45 copy of Vista Home Basic and you guys were suggesting Vista Business 64.

Since the OP didn't say which Mac and for what purpose don't you think that Vista Business 64 might just be the wrong OS for the OP. Home Premium is the mainstream edition of Vista or 7, and should be the recommendation unless there is a reason to go Business/Professional or Ultimate.

Right at this point, like Stridder44, I would recommend Windows 7 over Vista and you can get a decent deal on it from a reputable vendor like NewEgg here http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116752 or http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116754 (I am assuming you are in the US).

If your Mac has 4 GB of RAM or more or you might upgrade it soon get the 64 bit edition, if it has less than 4 Gb and will stay that way stick with 32 bit as you won't gain a thing with 64 bit.

B

 

[gugucom]

Not quite true for Vista, you can install a version from upgrade media without a product key and update that. This is the only way to do a clean install on Vista with upgrade media. http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/winvista_upgrade_clean.asp NOTE: This method has been apparently removed in 7.

Though as gugucom says you can often get SBE for less than upgrade pricing. However the OP was looking at a $45 copy of Vista Home Basic and you guys were suggesting Vista Business 64.

Since the OP didn't say which Mac and for what purpose don't you think that Vista Business 64 might just be the wrong OS for the OP. Home Premium is the mainstream edition of Vista or 7, and should be the recommendation unless there is a reason to go Business/Professional or Ultimate.

Right at this point, like Stridder44, I would recommend Windows 7 over Vista and you can get a decent deal on it from a reputable vendor like NewEgg here http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116752 or http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116754 (I am assuming you are in the US).

If your Mac has 4 GB of RAM or more or you might upgrade it soon get the 64 bit edition, if it has less than 4 Gb and will stay that way stick with 32 bit as you won't gain a thing with 64 bit.

B

Business has a number of features which are really worth having IMO. For native installs I would use use 64-bit on a 4 GB system. For Parallels and other virtual installs I would not bother because by the time you have distributed the RAM over two OSes there is no surplus over the 32-bit version. I would be able to buy Vista Business SBE for something like 40$ on the net. Actually I would need just the COA. I have both 32 and 64 bit DVDs.

 

[balamw]

Business has a number of features which are really worth having IMO.

For me and you, sure. For someone looking at Home Basic, maybe not. ;p

Note that as per the other thread Microsoft's System Builders License has changed and they are attempting to clarify things to say that this is not a hobbyist's license. http://oem.microsoft.com/script/contentpage.aspx?pageid=563841

The license itself is here.

http://oem.microsoft.com/public/sblicense/2008_sb_licenses/fy08_sb_license_english.pdf

This is the kicker:

Except as granted in this license, you may not use, run, copy, modify, display, distribute, repackage or reassemble the Software, Hardware, OPK or any part of them.

You are not given the right to use or run the software unless you are doing so for resale to a third party. Doesn't mean it won't work, just means you are doing so outside the terms of the license, kinda like a hackintosh.

So I guess that means that if I choose to go SBE on any further systems I'll have to resell them to my wife and/or kids for $1. My recommendation at this point would be to have a friend or relative buy and install the SBE for you and resell you the system if you want to use an OEM license.

Good thing I picked up my upgrades for Windows 7 retail when they were 50% off!

B

 

[mpuck972]

nope, RC-download ended August 20.

The hosting of the download by Microsoft ended, but they are still handing out license keys that are valid until around march of next year. You can torrent an untouched version of W7 and then use the key from Microsoft and have a legal install of Win7. This is exactly what I did.

Just be aware that when the beta key ends, you will have to reinstall Win7 with a valid key. There is no upgrade from the beta versions, they have to be completely removed.

 

[balamw]

The hosting of the download by Microsoft ended, but they are still handing out license keys that are valid until around march of next year. You can torrent an untouched version of W7 and then use the key from Microsoft and have a legal install of Win7. This is exactly what I did.

Just be aware that when the beta key ends, you will have to reinstall Win7 with a valid key. There is no upgrade from the beta versions, they have to be completely removed.

Get them while they're hot: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/get/download.aspx

I presume these won't work with RTM media?

EDIT: Note also that if you can get your hands on RTM media you can run it for 120 days without a product key. Until I got my launch event key I was doing that.

B

 

[Bengt77]

Vista64 Business is actually a lot better than its rep.

I have Vista 64-bit Home Premium and not the Business version that you have, but I must indeed also admit that Vista is so much better than many people think it is. I am as far from a Microsoft fan as most people here are, but I actually do quite like Vista 64-bit. It's extremely stable and is even faster than XP by a slight margin. The hardware requirements are very reasonable nowadays and the OS has matured a lot. Since SP1 Vista has been pretty good. Now that SP3 has been released some time ago, it really is a pretty darn good OS.

 

[balamw]

Since SP1 Vista has been pretty good.

That's the problem. Most people formed their opinion of Vista pre SP1 and there was quite a bit to dislike then.

Vista SP3 won't be out until next year at best.

B

 

[Stridder44]

That's the problem. Most people formed their opinion of Vista pre SP1 and there was quite a bit to dislike then.

Ugh, tell me about it. "Duhr vi$ta sux! lolol it takes up all mah RAMZ". And then they get Windows 7 and say "Wow! It's a whole new OS!" If they only knew.