Upgrade or Full Retail Version?

S

Sharon F

R. C. White said:
On MY Win7, I can just right-click on the DVD drive letter and see Eject on
the context menu. ;<)
Of course! Always more than one way to skin a cat ;)
 
G

Gene E. Bloch

Hi, Alex.

I haven't reviewed this whole thread, but has the paperclip fix been
mentioned? Most CD/DVD drives have a small hole in the front of the case.
When a disk gets stuck in the drive, a straightened-out paperclip inserted
into this hole should cause the disk to pop out.

Of course, this is not the way you want to do it regularly, but it usually
works when necessary.

RC
Slot loaders often lack the paper-clip method.

Actually, I've never seen a paper-clip hole on a slot loader.
 
C

Char Jackson

Hi, Debi.

There are just two main distinctions between Upgrade and Full Retail disks.

1. Upgrade costs less.

2. Upgrade will insist on seeing a qualifying version of Windows already
installed. (Ray's suggestion of "just show me the qualifying disk" used to
work, for WinXP and prior, but now Win7 won't be satisfied with that; it
will want to see your Vista already installed.)

Once the Upgrade has satisfied itself as to #2, the actual install procedure
is the same with either disk.
I'm assuming your role as an MVP requires that you stand behind the
position in #2 above, but since it isn't true it would be nice if you
could find a way to tread more lightly around the situation.

In short, an upgrade disc works fine by itself, no other qualifying OS
is required.
 
R

R. C. White

Hi, Char.
I'm assuming your role as an MVP requires that you stand behind the
position in #2 above,
Not at all!

You don't know MVPs very well, do you? We are some of Microsoft's most
vocal critics. Microsoft doesn't tell us what to do - or to say! If you'd
like to know more about MVPs, visit:
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/gp/aboutmvp

If I didn't believe what I wrote, I would not have written it.

That doesn't mean that I'm always right, of course.

Since I have not used an upgrade disk - for Win7 or a prior version of
Windows - in several years, I can't say from personal experience that
"Upgrade will insist on seeing a qualifying version of Windows already
installed." But that is my understanding from what I've read in newsgroups
and other places. My main reason for saying that was to point out that
simply inserting a qualifying disk would work for earlier version upgrades,
but not for Win7. And to distinguish a retail upgrade disk from the OEM
version that Debi was thinking of buying.
In short, an upgrade disc works fine by itself, no other qualifying OS
is required.
Have you actually done this, Char, or are you relying on hearsay? Can you
provide some details?

RC
--
R. C. White, CPA
San Marcos, TX
(e-mail address removed)
Microsoft Windows MVP
Windows Live Mail 2009 (14.0.8089.0726) in Win7 Ultimate x64
 
S

Seth

R. C. White said:
Hi, Char.


Not at all!

You don't know MVPs very well, do you? We are some of Microsoft's most
vocal critics. Microsoft doesn't tell us what to do - or to say! If
you'd like to know more about MVPs, visit:
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/gp/aboutmvp

If I didn't believe what I wrote, I would not have written it.

That doesn't mean that I'm always right, of course.

Since I have not used an upgrade disk - for Win7 or a prior version of
Windows - in several years, I can't say from personal experience that
"Upgrade will insist on seeing a qualifying version of Windows already
installed." But that is my understanding from what I've read in
newsgroups and other places. My main reason for saying that was to point
out that simply inserting a qualifying disk would work for earlier version
upgrades, but not for Win7. And to distinguish a retail upgrade disk from
the OEM version that Debi was thinking of buying.


Have you actually done this, Char, or are you relying on hearsay? Can you
provide some details?

I can't speak specifically for Windows 7, but I have done it is Vista which
uses the same setup engine (Panther).

Boot upgrade disk, perform installation NOT specifying installation key at
setup time doing a full install. When complete, don't bother activating.
Insert upgrade disk and perform upgrade (replacing un-activated installation
with a new installation. Current un-activated Windows installation will be
copied to \WINDOWS.OLD). Now this time Panther will see this as being an
upgrade of an existing installation and let you use your key number and
activate.
 
L

Lee Rowell

R. C. White said:
Hi, Char.


Not at all!

You don't know MVPs very well, do you? We are some of Microsoft's most
vocal critics. Microsoft doesn't tell us what to do - or to say! If
you'd like to know more about MVPs, visit:
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/gp/aboutmvp

If I didn't believe what I wrote, I would not have written it.

That doesn't mean that I'm always right, of course.

Since I have not used an upgrade disk - for Win7 or a prior version of
Windows - in several years, I can't say from personal experience that
"Upgrade will insist on seeing a qualifying version of Windows already
installed." But that is my understanding from what I've read in
newsgroups and other places. My main reason for saying that was to point
out that simply inserting a qualifying disk would work for earlier version
upgrades, but not for Win7. And to distinguish a retail upgrade disk from
the OEM version that Debi was thinking of buying.


Have you actually done this, Char, or are you relying on hearsay? Can you
provide some details?

RC
You can do a clean install with the Win7 disk. In fact if you are coming
from XP that is your only choice. Vista of course can be upgraded.
 
N

nooneyouknow

R. C. White said:
Hi, Char.


Not at all!

You don't know MVPs very well, do you?
/There/ is the problem! And you actually brag about being a "Most Valuless
Prostitute".
We are some of Microsoft's
most vocal critics. Microsoft doesn't tell us what to do - or to
say! If you'd like to know more about MVPs, visit:
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/gp/aboutmvp

If I didn't believe what I wrote, I would not have written it.
I'm sure you believe it, but it is wrong.
That doesn't mean that I'm always right, of course.
Obviously (and redundant; see 'MVP' above).
Since I have not used an upgrade disk - for Win7 or a prior version of
Windows - in several years, I can't say from personal experience that
"Upgrade will insist on seeing a qualifying version of Windows already
installed." But that is my understanding from what I've read in
newsgroups and other places. My main reason for saying that was to
point out that simply inserting a qualifying disk would work for
earlier version upgrades, but not for Win7. And to distinguish a
retail upgrade disk from the OEM version that Debi was thinking of
buying.
Unless you've actually /Tried It/ , perhaps you should preface your
responses with "I Think...". That way people who really want help will know
to ignore yours.
Have you actually done this, Char, or are you relying on hearsay? Can you
provide some details?
I've done it too. Google it. There are probably a thousand postings on "How
To".
 
C

Char Jackson

Hi, Char.


Not at all!

You don't know MVPs very well, do you? We are some of Microsoft's most
vocal critics. Microsoft doesn't tell us what to do - or to say! If you'd
like to know more about MVPs, visit:
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/gp/aboutmvp
I know almost nothing about MVP's and meant absolutely nothing
disparaging to you personally or to MVP's as a group. I just (wrongly)
assumed that Microsoft expected you guys to toe a certain company
line. I stand corrected and I apologize if my earlier comments sent
the wrong message.
Have you actually done this, Char, or are you relying on hearsay? Can you
provide some details?
Yes, I've done it, but I'm only one person. No need to rely on my
experiences when others have already described it in detail.
 
R

relic

Char said:
I know almost nothing about MVP's and meant absolutely nothing
disparaging to you personally or to MVP's as a group. I just (wrongly)
assumed that Microsoft expected you guys to toe a certain company
line. I stand corrected and I apologize if my earlier comments sent
the wrong message.
Never apologize to an MVP.
 
L

Lord Vetinari

Char Jackson said:
I'm assuming your role as an MVP requires that you stand behind the
position in #2 above, but since it isn't true it would be nice if you
could find a way to tread more lightly around the situation.

In short, an upgrade disc works fine by itself, no other qualifying OS
is required.
Yes, the upgrade disc accepts the upgrade disc itself...which I find
hilarious.
 
R

R. C. White

Hi, Char.
I know almost nothing about MVP's and meant absolutely nothing
disparaging to you personally or to MVP's as a group. I just (wrongly)
assumed that Microsoft expected you guys to toe a certain company
line. I stand corrected and I apologize if my earlier comments sent
the wrong message.
No apology required. I didn't know much about MVPs either until about 7
years ago when I got an email from a Microsoft employee asking if I'd be
interested in becoming an MVP. I hesitated and said 3 things worried me.
First, adding the initials to my name might make others assume that I know
more than I do, especially since I was not required to take any classes or
pass any tests. He said my reputation would depend on my continuing to
provide advice that was accurate and helpful more often than not. Second,
while I enjoy helping in the newsgroups and fully intend to continue, MVP or
not, I was not willing to commit to any minimum of time or effort. He said
that if Microsoft were to tell me what to do, I would be their employee and
they would have to pay me - and they did not intend to do that! And, third,
that users might think that I speak for Microsoft, which I certainly do not
intend to do, and that I must support - and use - only Microsoft products.
But I insist on forming my own opinions and speaking my own mind, even if
that is critical of Microsoft. He assured me that, as I said earlier, MVPs
are some of Microsoft's toughest critics, both privately and publicly, and
Microsoft appreciates that because the criticism is usually correct and
constructive. And he also said that I would have no authority at all to
speak for Microsoft! Finally, I told him, "OK, I'll try it for a year and
see how it goes." I'm glad that I did!
Yes, I've done it, but I'm only one person. No need to rely on my
experiences when others have already described it in detail.
As I said earlier, I've not actually used an upgrade package, so you are
correct that I should have qualified my statement. I was relying on what
I've read in some of the websites as to how the upgrade is supposed to work.
I also have read in newsgroups of others who have done the multi-step
install as you describe, so it seems that many users have learned how to
install an upgrade package onto a blank hard drive. I wanted to correct the
statement that simply "showing" the qualifying disk was sufficient in Win7,
as it had been in Win9x, but I overdid the correction, it seems.

Also, the OP had said:
I see there's quite a big difference
between the Full Retail & Upgrade versions (someone told me I could buy
a OEM version?).
So I wanted to warn the OP that the OEM version has some limitations which
must be considered.

Thank you for adding your experience to this discussion.

RC
--
R. C. White, CPA
San Marcos, TX
(e-mail address removed)
Microsoft Windows MVP
Windows Live Mail 2009 (14.0.8089.0726) in Win7 Ultimate x64
 
G

GreyCloud

relic said:
Never apologize to an MVP.
Hi relic. Say, maybe you can answer a question for me:

What is the differences between Visual Studio 2008 Pro and Standard
editions?
Most of the websites say that the only differences are if you want to
work with MSOffice products or something to that effect.
I need to know some of the finer points.
 
R

relic

P

Prescott

R. C. White said:
Hi, Char.


Not at all!

You don't know MVPs very well, do you? We are some of Microsoft's most
vocal critics. Microsoft doesn't tell us what to do - or to say! If
you'd like to know more about MVPs, visit:
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/gp/aboutmvp

If I didn't believe what I wrote, I would not have written it.

That doesn't mean that I'm always right, of course.

Since I have not used an upgrade disk - for Win7 or a prior version of
Windows - in several years, I can't say from personal experience that
"Upgrade will insist on seeing a qualifying version of Windows already
installed." But that is my understanding from what I've read in
newsgroups and other places. My main reason for saying that was to
point out that simply inserting a qualifying disk would work for earlier
version upgrades, but not for Win7. And to distinguish a retail upgrade
disk from the OEM version that Debi was thinking of buying.


Have you actually done this, Char, or are you relying on hearsay? Can
you provide some details?

RC
I have actually done this, and there is not just one way, there are
several that you can find online.

The one I used involved doing the install, not entering the product key,
using regedit to change a registry parameter from 1 to 0, slmgr -rearm,
rebooting and then use the activate windows screen to enter the product
key.

But as I said before there are several ways to do it.
 

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