Do I need a second key?

I purchased Vista Premium with SP1 which came with both the 32 bit and 64 bit
dvd's. I'm currently running the V64 version but I have a few needed apps
that just won't run on the 64 bit system. I was wondering if I could install
the x32 bit and set up my computer as a multiboot setup using the same key or
would I have to buy another key to have both versions of the OS on the same
computer?

If no one knows what the rule is and has a CS phone number I could call to
ask about this I'd really appreciate the help.

bratboy wrote:

> I purchased Vista Premium with SP1 which came with both the 32 bit and 64
> bit dvd's. I'm currently running the V64 version but I have a few needed
> apps that just won't run on the 64 bit system. I was wondering if I could
> install the x32 bit and set up my computer as a multiboot setup using the
> same key or would I have to buy another key to have both versions of the
> OS on the same computer?
>

You need a Product Key for each installation of the operating system. So
yes, if you want to have two instances of Vista you will need to purchase a
second copy.

Malke
--
MS-MVP
Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/#FAQ

Ordering additional licenses for Windows Vista
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/win...licensing.aspx


"bratboy" <> wrote in message news:34EC1395-8085-4F50-A26C-...
I purchased Vista Premium with SP1 which came with both the 32 bit and 64 bit
dvd's. I'm currently running the V64 version but I have a few needed apps
that just won't run on the 64 bit system. I was wondering if I could install
the x32 bit and set up my computer as a multiboot setup using the same key or
would I have to buy another key to have both versions of the OS on the same
computer?

If no one knows what the rule is and has a CS phone number I could call to
ask about this I'd really appreciate the help.

You can't install both versions with the same product key. If you want to
install the 32 bit version then you need another product key. As Microsoft
volume licensing starts at 5 machines you will not be able to simply buy a
further license; instead you will have to buy a complete copy of the
operating system.

--
John Barnett MVP
Windows XP Associate Expert
Windows Desktop Experience

Web: http://www.winuser.co.uk
Web: http://www.silversurfer-guide.com
Web: http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org
Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org


The information in this mail/post is supplied "as is". No warranty of any
kind, either expressed or implied, is made in relation to the accuracy,
reliability or content of this mail/post. The Author shall not be liable for
any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages arising out of the
use of, or inability to use, information or opinions expressed in this
mail/post..


"bratboy" <> wrote in message
news:34EC1395-8085-4F50-A26C-...
> I purchased Vista Premium with SP1 which came with both the 32 bit and 64
> bit
> dvd's. I'm currently running the V64 version but I have a few needed apps
> that just won't run on the 64 bit system. I was wondering if I could
> install
> the x32 bit and set up my computer as a multiboot setup using the same key
> or
> would I have to buy another key to have both versions of the OS on the
> same
> computer?
>
> If no one knows what the rule is and has a CS phone number I could call to
> ask about this I'd really appreciate the help.

Going thru all my software I just realized/discovered that when I purchased a
special deal that was for students along with Office Ultimate I did also get
a copy of Vista Ultimate 32 w/SP1 upgrade as well and it came with its own
key so it looks like I already have a second key. My question now is can I
use that key with my Vista Ultimate w/SP1 32 bit Full install dvd or will the
key only work with the upgrade dvd?

I have seen guides on how to do a clean install using an upgrade dvd but if
I can save myself the extra work it would be nice.

"John Barnett MVP" wrote:

> You can't install both versions with the same product key. If you want to
> install the 32 bit version then you need another product key. As Microsoft
> volume licensing starts at 5 machines you will not be able to simply buy a
> further license; instead you will have to buy a complete copy of the
> operating system.
>
> --
> John Barnett MVP
> Windows XP Associate Expert
> Windows Desktop Experience
>
> Web: http://www.winuser.co.uk
> Web: http://www.silversurfer-guide.com
> Web: http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org
> Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org
>
>
> The information in this mail/post is supplied "as is". No warranty of any
> kind, either expressed or implied, is made in relation to the accuracy,
> reliability or content of this mail/post. The Author shall not be liable for
> any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages arising out of the
> use of, or inability to use, information or opinions expressed in this
> mail/post..
>
>
> "bratboy" <> wrote in message
> news:34EC1395-8085-4F50-A26C-...
> > I purchased Vista Premium with SP1 which came with both the 32 bit and 64
> > bit
> > dvd's. I'm currently running the V64 version but I have a few needed apps
> > that just won't run on the 64 bit system. I was wondering if I could
> > install
> > the x32 bit and set up my computer as a multiboot setup using the same key
> > or
> > would I have to buy another key to have both versions of the OS on the
> > same
> > computer?
> >
> > If no one knows what the rule is and has a CS phone number I could call to
> > ask about this I'd really appreciate the help.
>
>

Product keys for upgrades only work with upgrade DVDs.


"bratboy" <> wrote in message news:C29BF2DF-90E1-43DA-9D97-...
Going thru all my software I just realized/discovered that when I purchased a
special deal that was for students along with Office Ultimate I did also get
a copy of Vista Ultimate 32 w/SP1 upgrade as well and it came with its own
key so it looks like I already have a second key. My question now is can I
use that key with my Vista Ultimate w/SP1 32 bit Full install dvd or will the
key only work with the upgrade dvd?

I have seen guides on how to do a clean install using an upgrade dvd but if
I can save myself the extra work it would be nice.

"John Barnett MVP" wrote:

> You can't install both versions with the same product key. If you want to
> install the 32 bit version then you need another product key. As Microsoft
> volume licensing starts at 5 machines you will not be able to simply buy a
> further license; instead you will have to buy a complete copy of the
> operating system.
>
> --
> John Barnett MVP
> Windows XP Associate Expert
> Windows Desktop Experience
>
> Web: http://www.winuser.co.uk
> Web: http://www.silversurfer-guide.com
> Web: http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org
> Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org
>
>
> The information in this mail/post is supplied "as is". No warranty of any
> kind, either expressed or implied, is made in relation to the accuracy,
> reliability or content of this mail/post. The Author shall not be liable for
> any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages arising out of the
> use of, or inability to use, information or opinions expressed in this
> mail/post..
>
>
> "bratboy" <> wrote in message
> news:34EC1395-8085-4F50-A26C-...
> > I purchased Vista Premium with SP1 which came with both the 32 bit and 64
> > bit
> > dvd's. I'm currently running the V64 version but I have a few needed apps
> > that just won't run on the 64 bit system. I was wondering if I could
> > install
> > the x32 bit and set up my computer as a multiboot setup using the same key
> > or
> > would I have to buy another key to have both versions of the OS on the
> > same
> > computer?
> >
> > If no one knows what the rule is and has a CS phone number I could call to
> > ask about this I'd really appreciate the help.
>
>

You can install XP on the "same" computer as a multiboot system as much as
you want. You can't install it on any other computers though. Vista's
licensing isn't that same?

"bratboy" <> wrote in message
news:34EC1395-8085-4F50-A26C-...
> I purchased Vista Premium with SP1 which came with both the 32 bit and 64
> bit
> dvd's. I'm currently running the V64 version but I have a few needed apps
> that just won't run on the 64 bit system. I was wondering if I could
> install
> the x32 bit and set up my computer as a multiboot setup using the same key
> or
> would I have to buy another key to have both versions of the OS on the
> same
> computer?
>
> If no one knows what the rule is and has a CS phone number I could call to
> ask about this I'd really appreciate the help.

The license agreement for Windows XP and Windows Vista are the same.
You can install and activate just one (1) copy on just one (1) computer.


Bill wrote:
> You can install XP on the "same" computer as a multiboot system as much
> as you want. You can't install it on any other computers though.
> Vista's licensing isn't that same?
>
> "bratboy" <> wrote in message
> news:34EC1395-8085-4F50-A26C-...
>> I purchased Vista Premium with SP1 which came with both the 32 bit and
>> 64 bit
>> dvd's. I'm currently running the V64 version but I have a few needed apps
>> that just won't run on the 64 bit system. I was wondering if I could
>> install
>> the x32 bit and set up my computer as a multiboot setup using the same
>> key or
>> would I have to buy another key to have both versions of the OS on the
>> same
>> computer?
>>
>> If no one knows what the rule is and has a CS phone number I could
>> call to
>> ask about this I'd really appreciate the help.
>

"Leroy" <> wrote in message
news:...
> The license agreement for Windows XP and Windows Vista are the same.
> You can install and activate just one (1) copy on just one (1) computer.
>
>
Maybe he's referring to the fact that if you install XP twice
on the same PC, it will activate on-line both times with no
issues. Vista will only activate once on-line. Even if you
uninstall it you will have to make a phone call to reactivate
it.


> Bill wrote:
>> You can install XP on the "same" computer as a multiboot system as much
>> as you want. You can't install it on any other computers though.
>> Vista's licensing isn't that same?
>>
>> "bratboy" <> wrote in message
>> news:34EC1395-8085-4F50-A26C-...
>>> I purchased Vista Premium with SP1 which came with both the 32 bit and
>>> 64 bit
>>> dvd's. I'm currently running the V64 version but I have a few needed
>>> apps
>>> that just won't run on the 64 bit system. I was wondering if I could
>>> install
>>> the x32 bit and set up my computer as a multiboot setup using the same
>>> key or
>>> would I have to buy another key to have both versions of the OS on the
>>> same
>>> computer?
>>>
>>> If no one knows what the rule is and has a CS phone number I could call
>>> to
>>> ask about this I'd really appreciate the help.
>>

"Bill" <swooshy1976-> wrote:

>You can install XP on the "same" computer as a multiboot system as much as
>you want. You can't install it on any other computers though. Vista's
>licensing isn't that same?

It's the same as XP, which is NOT what you say XP is.

ONE copy, ONE machine.