Which version of Vista to buy

[IPR512]

I would like to upgrade my computer from XP Pro to Vista Business or Vista Ultimate.
My first question is which would be better for me to do? Should I buy one of the Upgrade versions or the Full version?
Second question, would there be any problems with installing an Upgrade version on a brand new hard drive that has no operating system on it?
Thanks for your help.

[renegade600]

1. between business and ultimate I would choose ultimate
2. is there something wrong with the old harddrive. Upgrade checks for prior versions.

[IPR512]

Thanks for the reply Renegade600.
There's nothing wrong with the hard drive that has XP on it, but I would like to install Vista on the new one I bought and leave XP as is for now. Eventually I would probably use the XP hard drive for internal storage.
I'm assuming then that if an Upgrade version checks for prior versions then I wouldn't be able to install an Upgrade on a new hard drive.
I would prefer to go with Ultimate also, but the full version is pretty pricey.

[errolo]

Originally Posted by IPR512

Second question, would there be any problems with installing an Upgrade version on a brand new hard drive that has no operating system on it?
Thanks for your help.

I have never tried this, but from a couple of articles I have read, you can install the VISTA upgrade disk to a clean harddrive. There are some hoops to jump through, but probably worth the difference in price.

A good article here:
http://windowssecrets.com/2008/04/10...tles-the-cages

Now there may be questions as to whether this may voilate the EULA, but according to the authors of the article above:

"There's nothing illegal about using an install technique that's recommended by Microsoft in its own Knowledge Base. The trick was programmed into Vista because authorized people at Microsoft wanted it to be used, and it's remained in Vista because Microsoft officials wanted it to remain."

[renegade600]

Originally Posted by errolo

I have never tried this, but from a couple of articles I have read, you can install the VISTA upgrade disk to a clean harddrive. There are some hoops to jump through, but probably worth the difference in price.

A good article here:
http://windowssecrets.com/2008/04/10...tles-the-cages

Now there may be questions as to whether this may voilate the EULA, but according to the authors of the article above:

"There's nothing illegal about using an install technique that's recommended by Microsoft in its own Knowledge Base. The trick was programmed into Vista because authorized people at Microsoft wanted it to be used, and it's remained in Vista because Microsoft officials wanted it to remain."

it does violate the eula if you are not eligible to use the upgrade disk to begin with.

[errolo]

Originally Posted by renegade600

it does violate the eula if you are not eligible to use the upgrade disk to begin with.

Ah, and there is the rub as they say. And while I may not feel that it is quite as black and white as you, I ceratinly am not advocating someone do something illegal or for that matter even unethical. Only answering the question as to whether it is possible.

[IPR512]

Thanks for the reply, and for confirming what a friend told me a little while ago. It seems like a hassle to go that route though so I'm going to stick with XP Pro until I decide if it's worth it.