OEM Version of Windows VIsta? Other Vista Discussions Discuss OEM Version of Windows VIsta? in the Windows Vista forums; I have an OEM edition on disc, it comes with the full edition, the liscence key and it is in a plastic transparent DVD cover with a guide book. I ...

[ewan_mclean]

I have an OEM edition on disc, it comes with the full edition, the liscence key and it is in a plastic transparent DVD cover with a guide book. I actually got it from a retailer who builds PCs to spec.

[Znod]

I got the same via newegg.com.

[Midway]

I also bought an OEM Home Premium from NewEgg as well. I was surprised at getting at least a plastic CD case because past XP OEMs came in a cardboard sleeve.

But I must relate this experience. I bought HP just to see how Vista would run on my Dell Dim. 8300. My last experience was with Beta 1 and it wasn't a pleasant one (I did not even bother with 2). After installing it performed a hell of a lot better than B1 did.

One night I decided to go all the way to Ultimate since the HP disc had "Includes Anytime Upgrade" on it. So I began the process of upgrading.

First thing that came up was a dropdown list of vendors to purchase the upgrade from including MS. I tried MS's first but it didn't like my debit card for some reason. Then I tried Best Buy which accepted my card. Next thing it mentioned something about downloading a file (100K I think, later I figured this out to be the license). Then it informed me to insert the Vista CD and two hours later I had Ultimate installed on my computer. I was happy but perplexed at the experience since I had no clue what was going on and I never got any kind of documentation about the transaction.

Later, on another forum, I learned that in the future when I have to reinstall Ultimate I would have to use the license stored in my Digital Locker. Digital Locker? What the heck is this? I thought that once I knew my new key (which I found out using TweakVI) that I could use it in reinstalling Ultimate but this isn't the case. From what I read is that I have to install HP first then go through the upgrade process to Ultimate again using the license stored in the Digital Locker. But after finding the link to my Digital Locker, it mentions I have no history of past transactions thus no licenses were stored.

With dread growing in my stomach, I contacted Best Buy vial email. The following series of emails from them were quite frustrating. I could tell the last email was a "bot" answer because it told me where the nearest Best Buy was to buy Vista from

I then tried phoning support. This was equally frustrating as it was quite obvious they had no clue what "Anytime Upgrade" was. Though I have a record of the transaction on my bank statement they cannot find one in their records. I was given the choice of having the GeekSquad come out (yeah right, like they are 75 miles away from me) or contact MS support (like they will help someone using OEM).

So now it appears that I will have Ultimate up to the day I have to reinstall then it's back down to Home Premium again . I'll be damned if I will pay for another upgrade. I blame MS-Best Buy for this for if the upgrade process was better explained I might could have avoided what happened. I didn't even know that Digital Locker existed until almost two weeks afterwards for instance.

[Znod]

Very interesting Mitch. You provide good info. We are glad you are here. If I didn't get to welcome you earlier, then . I have not been in a position to want to try the anytime upgrade. And, from what you say, I'll avoid it until I learn more. I do have to make a decision about what to do with a Business Express Upgrade disk/key. One thing I know is that I have no use for Business. I want either Ultimate or HP. I think that I'll ask MS for a free "anytime downgrade" to HP. I have a little trouble believing that I could not choose Business or a "lesser" version of Vista when ordering my Express Upgrade key/disk. MS unintentionally has made things too complicated and inflexible to some extent in coming up with the various ways one can get Vista. Actually, maybe I'll just sell my Business upgrade and purchase an educational HP for about $70 at: http://www.academicsuperstore.com/ma...?PartNo=784207.

[Midway]

Thanks for the welcome, Znod

My advice to anyone wanting to do the Anytime Upgrade is to purchase it from MS. At least if you run into problems they should be able to remedy it since they know about the process more than the vendors do.