Vista activation in Virtual PC

My new computer has 64-bit Vista Ultimate installed, so I naturally loaded
Virtual PC in order to run other operating systems to ensure access to all of
my existing software. That included a registered version of XP Pro, the Win7
beta and 32-bit Vista Ultimate.

That last one is where I have a problem. I got VU directly from Microsoft
and it came with both 64- and 32-bit installation disks, using the same key.
I was under the impression I could install the 32-bit version on the same
computer as the 64-bit as a Microsoft Virtual PC guest OS, but when I went to
activate it I received an error message saying that key already was in use
and I would have to buy another.

I tried contacting MS, but got messages advising I would have to pay (big
time) for any kind of support, except here. Nor could I find this specific
issue addressed anywhere (altho I may just have not hit on the right search
terms).

Given all of the problems with Vista, it would seem a customer relations
no-brainer to allow the installation of both versions on the same computer,
which is not exactly a loss of revenue or rights for MS. But, even if they do
allow it, how do I activate the guest OS without first forking over $60 or
more?

The product key can only be used with either the 32 or 64-bit versions,
but cannot be used simultaneously. You'll need to purchase a
new product key in your situation.


"Inkslinger" <> wrote in message news:634252C5-B618-4728-855F-...
> My new computer has 64-bit Vista Ultimate installed, so I naturally loaded
> Virtual PC in order to run other operating systems to ensure access to all of
> my existing software. That included a registered version of XP Pro, the Win7
> beta and 32-bit Vista Ultimate.
>
> That last one is where I have a problem. I got VU directly from Microsoft
> and it came with both 64- and 32-bit installation disks, using the same key.
> I was under the impression I could install the 32-bit version on the same
> computer as the 64-bit as a Microsoft Virtual PC guest OS, but when I went to
> activate it I received an error message saying that key already was in use
> and I would have to buy another.
>
> I tried contacting MS, but got messages advising I would have to pay (big
> time) for any kind of support, except here. Nor could I find this specific
> issue addressed anywhere (altho I may just have not hit on the right search
> terms).
>
> Given all of the problems with Vista, it would seem a customer relations
> no-brainer to allow the installation of both versions on the same computer,
> which is not exactly a loss of revenue or rights for MS. But, even if they do
> allow it, how do I activate the guest OS without first forking over $60 or
> more?

The product key can only be used on 'one' version of the operating system.
You chose to install 32 Bit version on your main machine so the product key
has been allocated to the 32 Bit version. If you want to install the 64 Bit
then you need to buy another copy. You can't install both versions using the
same product key.


--

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

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

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..


"Inkslinger" <> wrote in message
news:634252C5-B618-4728-855F-...
> My new computer has 64-bit Vista Ultimate installed, so I naturally loaded
> Virtual PC in order to run other operating systems to ensure access to all
> of
> my existing software. That included a registered version of XP Pro, the
> Win7
> beta and 32-bit Vista Ultimate.
>
> That last one is where I have a problem. I got VU directly from Microsoft
> and it came with both 64- and 32-bit installation disks, using the same
> key.
> I was under the impression I could install the 32-bit version on the same
> computer as the 64-bit as a Microsoft Virtual PC guest OS, but when I went
> to
> activate it I received an error message saying that key already was in use
> and I would have to buy another.
>
> I tried contacting MS, but got messages advising I would have to pay (big
> time) for any kind of support, except here. Nor could I find this specific
> issue addressed anywhere (altho I may just have not hit on the right
> search
> terms).
>
> Given all of the problems with Vista, it would seem a customer relations
> no-brainer to allow the installation of both versions on the same
> computer,
> which is not exactly a loss of revenue or rights for MS. But, even if they
> do
> allow it, how do I activate the guest OS without first forking over $60 or
> more?

> I was under the impression I could install the 32-bit version on the same
> computer as the 64-bit as a Microsoft Virtual PC guest OS

Unfortunately, your impression was wrong :-(

You must have a license for each installation of Vista (or XP, for that
matter), whether that is on a real machine or a VM.

Your license only permits one installation (either 32-bit, or 64-bit), so
that's why the second installation cannot be activated.

You will have to buy another license (with activation key) for each
installation.

SteveT

unless you are a MSDN subscriber.. then you have much more freedom

http://www.globalknowledge.com/train...=United+States

Vista and MSDN

If all of the above sounds a bit bleak, there is one perfectly legitimate
way you can get around many of these restrictions. You'll notice that this
whole time I've been emphasizing that these restrictions are for retail and
OEM copies of Vista. But what about copies of Vista that you've obtained
through an MSDN subscription?

This is where things get interesting, because MSDN subscribers have a great
deal more freedom with Vista in VMs-more freedom than just about anyone
else. Here's what you can do with Vista if you have an MSDN subscription:

1. All editions of Vista that you can obtain through MSDN-from Home up
through Ultimate-can be installed in a virtual machine.
2. You can move or copy VMs created with the MSDN editions of Vista to
other machines. However, you're only allowed to use the VMs in question for
internal testing and development, as per the MSDN licensing agreement
itself.
3. The last provison falls in line with how MSDN editions of an operating
system can't be used to build a system for retail sale or public use. You
can't host a publicly-accessible Web server with an MSDN copy of Windows
Server 2003, so you should only be able to use VMs made from MSDN licenses
for internal use as well.




"Steve Thackery" <> wrote in message
news:...
>> I was under the impression I could install the 32-bit version on the same
>> computer as the 64-bit as a Microsoft Virtual PC guest OS
>
> Unfortunately, your impression was wrong :-(
>
> You must have a license for each installation of Vista (or XP, for that
> matter), whether that is on a real machine or a VM.
>
> Your license only permits one installation (either 32-bit, or 64-bit), so
> that's why the second installation cannot be activated.
>
> You will have to buy another license (with activation key) for each
> installation.
>
> SteveT

"Inkslinger" <> wrote in message
news:634252C5-B618-4728-855F-...
> My new computer has 64-bit Vista Ultimate installed, so I naturally loaded
> Virtual PC in order to run other operating systems to ensure access to all
> of
> my existing software. That included a registered version of XP Pro, the
> Win7
> beta and 32-bit Vista Ultimate.
>
> That last one is where I have a problem. I got VU directly from Microsoft
> and it came with both 64- and 32-bit installation disks, using the same
> key.
> I was under the impression I could install the 32-bit version on the same
> computer as the 64-bit as a Microsoft Virtual PC guest OS, but when I went
> to
> activate it I received an error message saying that key already was in use
> and I would have to buy another.
>
> I tried contacting MS, but got messages advising I would have to pay (big
> time) for any kind of support, except here. Nor could I find this specific
> issue addressed anywhere (altho I may just have not hit on the right
> search
> terms).
>
> Given all of the problems with Vista, it would seem a customer relations
> no-brainer to allow the installation of both versions on the same
> computer,
> which is not exactly a loss of revenue or rights for MS. But, even if they
> do
> allow it, how do I activate the guest OS without first forking over $60 or
> more?

My impressions is that the lottery officials will take my ticket with only
one correct number and make the other 5 numbers correct so I can win the 12
million.


It would seem a good customer relations no-brainer to allow this practice.