Windows Vista install problem

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Level 1

116 points

Windows Vista install problem

I own a copy of Windows XP from Virtual PC. I therefore qualify to purchase an upgrade copy of Vista, which I did. Since I am a Mac person I assumed that I would simply be asked, upon installation, to provide my old product ID. In the Microsoft world this does not happen. The install disc looks for the previous version. When it can't find one the install essentially stops. I was able to install Vista by ignoring the request for the product ID but then I could not Activate the copy. It works fine but it will cease to work in 30 days. Has anyone had experience with this type of thing? There should be some way around this type of thing. Reading Microsoft user posts it appears that clean installs can only be done from non-upgrade copies. I cannot install my copy of xp first since it does not have SP2 as part of it. I know that I can theoretically slipstream a copy but that seems like a lot of hassle.

G4, dual 1gHz & 15" Powerbook G4, 24" iMac 2.8ghz, Mac OS X (10.5.1)

Posted on Dec 30, 2007 5:32 AM

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Answer 1

Doug Mitchell Author

Level 1

116 points

Dec 30, 2007 5:09 PM in response to Doug Mitchell

I have just completed an installation of Windows Vista using only and upgrade copy of Vista. First run Boot Camp and set up the windows partition. Put the Vista disk in the DVD drive and proceed with the installation. You will be asked to supply the Product Code. It is not compulsory so skip it. When the installation finishes you will have a 30 day trial copy of Vista installed. Go to "Computer" and you will see the install disk listed. Open it and run the installer again. Do another clean install but this time put in the Product ID. It will be accepted since a version of Windows exists. Finish the installation and then eject the Windows install disk and put in the MacOSX disk if you are using Leopard. Install all the apple drivers to make windows run much better on your Mac. Complete your internet connection and do the Windows Activation. Go to the "c" drive and delete the "windows.old" folder as it is about 8 gig. You are done and now have a fulling functioning copy of Windows Vista.

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Answer 2

Jan 13, 2008 10:00 PM in response to Doug Mitchell

Hi,
Thanks for posting your solution. I had everything working beautifully in Boot Camp partition using VMware Fusion, but felt I needed VM's future tech support. In forum discussion and email support w/VM tech supp. learned that VM doesn't support Vista Home because MS doesn't support it through 3rd party, so I used Home's upgrade advisor and found that the only easly instll was upgrading to Ultimate. Tried to install Ultimate upgrade and got message that partition was too small. Long story short, had to erase Macbk Pro's HD and reinstall from Time Machine, which worked great. Boot Camp finally allowed new partition and I used your solution to install. However, I had to load the Home because Boot Camp couldn't find drivers on the Ultimate upgrade. Still, your work around helped. Problems I'm now encountering is that VM can't find the Boot Camp Partition as it did previously. Any ideas there? I can find the Boot Camp drive, but the "open" button stays grayed out. When I go to VM's HD it says 0 GG which doesn't make sense. I'll post a new topic, but I did appreciate your posting.

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