After reading reading many of threads I think I have several questions answered, but maybe not.
Here is the story. I have an HP desktop computer that offered a free VISTA home premium upgrade. I tried the upgrade soemtime ago only to find that of my software was not Vista ready. I went back to XP, I now have Vista compliant versions of the software. I can't say if the first time I installed Vista it activated, it was only on for few hours.
Personally I have nothing but bad luck doing upgrades. So I did what it appears allot of others do. I did clean install of a upgrade. I did get asked for the product code. I did a chat session with HP tech support which told me that after running the hp Upgrade Advisor after the intall would "take care" of the problem.
Well everything worked after running the HP Upgrade Advisor except that it would not activate online. I got the 0xC004e003 error which I believe is the already activated error. Maybe becuase I installed it previously?
Now a couple of questions:
Is the product code the same product on the side of my computer, which is the XP product code? Or is it a new product that was supposed to come with the Vista upgrade? I am not finding any prodcut code on the envelopes that HP sent me.
Should I just go back to XP media center and forget this Vista thing? Doesn't seem like anybody has anything good to say about Vista. It reminds of that Windows Millenium that was out.
Is the product code the same product on the side of my computer, which is the XP product code? No you should have received a 25 digit product key with Vista. Or is it a new product that was supposed to come with the Vista upgrade? The Vista you received was more than likely an upgrade which would require you to install on top of the existing XP. Please reference the material (EULA) which came with Vista. I am not finding any prodcut code on the envelopes that HP sent me. Please contact HP Technical Support regarding any missing information.
Should I just go back to XP media center and forget this Vista thing? You can use the HP Restoration Media taking your system back to the original XP Media center. Next I woudld reference the HP Technical support site and call them. HP may have a document on their technical support section to help you perform an upgrade to Vista if not HP Tech support should help you over the phone. Doesn't seem like anybody has anything good to say about Vista. It reminds of that Windows Millenium that was out.
Take care,
Stephen Holm, MS WGA Forum Manager Stephen Holm
Marked as answer byStephen HolmTuesday, September 23, 2008 1:49 AM
Is the product code the same product on the side of my computer, which is the XP product code? No you should have received a 25 digit product key with Vista. Or is it a new product that was supposed to come with the Vista upgrade? The Vista you received was more than likely an upgrade which would require you to install on top of the existing XP. Please reference the material (EULA) which came with Vista. I am not finding any prodcut code on the envelopes that HP sent me. Please contact HP Technical Support regarding any missing information.
Should I just go back to XP media center and forget this Vista thing? You can use the HP Restoration Media taking your system back to the original XP Media center. Next I woudld reference the HP Technical support site and call them. HP may have a document on their technical support section to help you perform an upgrade to Vista if not HP Tech support should help you over the phone. Doesn't seem like anybody has anything good to say about Vista. It reminds of that Windows Millenium that was out.
Take care,
Stephen Holm, MS WGA Forum Manager Stephen Holm
Marked as answer byStephen HolmTuesday, September 23, 2008 1:49 AM
Thank you for the reply. I believe after reading up on Vista during this upgrade issue, I believe I will simply restore the XP on the computer and worry about operating systems on my next computer purchase.
I think this will be the first time that the purchase will not be automatic. In other words I have never considered anything but Microsoft and PC's. I have a few friends with MAC's that have nothing but good things to say about the computer and operating system.
