Vista Business and Backward XP

[Grommit]

Hi

What are the rules concerning Vista and backward license for XP Pro SP2 ?

As I have been shipped Vista Business and it clearly states that I ordered XP Pro..

Now with some laptops I get 2 OS Disks 1 VISTA and 1 XP... here I only got VISTA disks..

Will the VISTA Key work with an XP OS from Elsewhere ?

[powdarrmonkey]

The reseller that you got the machine from should issue you with media and a key for XP in return for proof of purchase.

[FN-GM]

If you have volume licensing you can just downgrade using your Existing media and product key.

[mmoseley]

I have done this MANY a time,

simply install Windows XP Pro on the vista machines (formatting first), and install pro with a license from another machine with XP pre-installed,

then when it comes to activation give MS a call and explain and they gladly give you a new key

Done it 20 odd times now!

[SimpleSi]

when it comes to activation give MS a call and explain and they gladly give you a new key

What reason did you give to MS please?

regards

Simon

[SimpleSi]

when it comes to activation give MS a call and explain and they gladly give you a new key

What reason did you give to MS please?

regards

Simon

[torledo]

I have done this MANY a time,

simply install Windows XP Pro on the vista machines (formatting first), and install pro with a license from another machine with XP pre-installed,

then when it comes to activation give MS a call and explain and they gladly give you a new key

Done it 20 odd times now!

Or do what Zak suggested.

[PeterW]

What reason did you give to MS please?

regards

Simon

You explain you have purchased a system with Vista Business pre installed and you have installed XP Pro via your downgrade rights they will let the machine activate.

From MS

When an end user is using their downgrade rights offered under the License Terms in Windows Vista Business and Ultimate versions and they use both Windows XP media and a product key that was previously activated, they will fail activation due to the hardware configuration change when installing on the Vista system. In these cases the end user will be prompted to call the Activation Support Line and explain their circumstances to the Customer Service Representative. Once it is determined that the end user has a valid Vista Business or Ultimate license, the Customer Service Representative will help them activate their software.

If the End User chooses this option, it is noted in the Product EULA that neither Microsoft® nor the Manufacturer will supply such End User with media for such previous versions. The End User must provide the downgrade media and a valid Product Key.

End Users can use the following media for their downgrade: Volume Licensing media (provided End User has a Volume Licensing agreement), Retail (Full Package Product), or a System Builder edge-to-edge CD (provided software is acquired in accordance with the Microsoft OEM System Builder License).