Daft Licensing query

Right, im confused.

I'm possibly gonna purchase some dells with Vista Business on, but obviously dont want Vista on there. Now apparently with a Vista Business machine i can use XP Pro cus it cover other versions. Now this is where the daft question comes from.....if i install XP Pro, what do i use in the way of serial number....the Vista one on the box?! :o

I would ask my man from that LA, but i think he's fed up of my daft question! I know its probably not that hard but im still trying to get my head around it all.

Is there a wiki on licensing?

Sorry *blushes*

I believe Microsoft Product Activation will convert your vista key to an XP over the phone.

Most people just install the volume licence version of XP on Vista Business licenced machines.

Check with Dell to see if there is a an XP downgrade disc with the P'c's ... Ive just bought some acer laptops and they have a cd that you boot off of and it installes xp for you ....

When you buy a dell you can select xp downgrade as an option, it then comes with xp installed, with a Vista business recovery cd and licence if you ever want to change to that.

Steve

Which model of Dell is it?

I may have a spare XP restore cd for the Optiplex 760 / 755/ 620 etc.

I think Dell use the same (generic??) activation key for Windows XP anyway, this is what i have found by looking in the C:\SYSPREP folder on Dells supplied with XP Pro ex-factory :nerd:

Edit:
Just re-read your post, if you still haven't ordered yet, supply specify Windows Vista Business SP1 to XP Pro SP3 Downgrade with XP Media, they will come with Vista Licence Keys on the computer, but with XP installed. If XP restore CD not supplied, simply make a GHOST copy of the HDD before booting from it!

My order is only a small one so it's be tagged onto another bigger order so i could take advantage of an offer, the machines that have been ordered are Vista Business machines and are being used for that purpose.

We dont have an volume license, we just use what comes with the machines.

What are my options?

Do what I do,

We have 32 dell optiplex 760's arriving next week. We will ring up microsoft and convert the vista business codes to xp. Then we install xp with the code provided by microsoft.

Simple!!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Little-Miss

We dont have an volume license, we just use what comes with the machines.

What are my options?

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Under the Vista Business downgrade rights you can use the licence to install XP Pro. However you still need an XP key. I believe that if you install XP and get to the key/activation stage you can call MS to get a valid key. Never had to do this though so don't hold me to it :) Shouldn't be a problem as you are entitled to it.

Update!!

I now have my machines. It turns out that Dell are supplying a xp install disk which is pre activated. IT also does not have all of the dell software on to. So you can use that!!

Bonus!! :D