Quote: "I read that the upgrade requires you to have a previous version of Windows *already installed* before installing. Previously Windows upgrades required a previous Windows disc to verify.
That is a pain."
If you want to purchase an UPGRADE version of Vista, you need to know the following.
1) Only Vista Ultimate UPGRADE doesn't require you to have a previous version of windows installed.
2) Only Windows XP (all versions including MC) and Windows 2000 Professional (not server) can be UPGRADED to Vista. All other versions of Windows (3.1, 95, 98, 98SE, ME, NT, 2000 Server) can not be upgraded. You will have to purchase the FULL version.
3) There are OEM versions of Vista that are cheaper than the UPGRADE versiosn of Vista. They are the FULL version. However, all OEM versions of vista are tied to your motherboard. If you change your hardware, you will be required to PHONE Microsoft to have them activate your Vista.
3a) The OEM version of Vista Ultimate is broken up into 32 and 64 bit versions of the OS. If you purchase the UPGRADE or FULL version of Vista Ultimate you get BOTH 32 and 64 bit versions. You can choose which version to install upon installation. (with vista's boot manager, I believe you should be able to have both versions installed and choose what you want when you boot up...kinda cool).
4) When you use Vista UPGRADE, it's been said that it deactivates (and invalidates) your XP license that you upgraded from!!!. This is the only part that scares me. I haven't confirmed it yet, but I will in 2 weeks when I upgrade from an OEM XP Home to Vista Ultimate UPGRADE.
So if you want to UPGRADE without having a previous SUPPORTED OS installed, then get Vista Ultimate. It's what I'm getting in a couple of weeks.
Also, if you wait too long to get Vista you'll lose out on an oppertunity to get additional licenses of Home Premium for 49.99 USD. Microsoft has a program found here
https://om.one.microsoft.com/opa/Validation.aspx?StoreID=b97c1460-8eb9-468c-a120-f41033a7a983&LocaleCode=en-us&JavaScriptOn=yes that will let you get up to TWO more licenses at that price if you purchase Ultimate UPGRADE or FULL (or OEM I believe). The offer isn't available outside North America (I can already hear the whining over that one...). This offer is only good untill June 30th 2007. I'm going to get my family members 2 licenses. 3 OS's for 380.00 USD (126.00 USD each) is pretty good I think.