Hi,
1) Yep, just like XP Home would not upgrade NT4 or 2000. This is not
unusual, nor is it a change from previous policies.
2) I'm not certain you have to have SP2 installed, but you do need to be
activated. Yes, you can no longer perform a clean install with an upgrade
disk by showing it a copy of a CD, this is because too often upgrades disks
were shown illegitimate copies. All x86 upgrade disks must be started from
within the existing OS to be upgraded, and this ensures that the existing OS
is legit since it will be activated.
3) You never could with an upgrade. Part of the price break is that you are
incorporating a license you already own into the upgrade. If you want two
installs, you need two full licenses.
4) Yes, purchase Ultimate and get two copies of Home premium for an extra
$50 each. It's not available outside of the US most likely because any offer
has to be in compliance with the laws of the country in which it's sold.
--
Best of Luck,
Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
Windows help -
www.rickrogers.org
"Diamontina Cocktail" <lrb@australia.com> wrote in message
news:uzj3IeaPHHA.4424@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
> You cant upgrade from XP Pro to Vista below a certain level for example.
> Why?
>
> I caught the post below in another newsgroup. Anyone got any comments?
>
>
>
>
> 1/ You cannot upgrade from WinXP Pro to either Vista Basic Home Edition or
> Vista Premium Home Edition
>
>
> 2/ You can only upgrade if you have WINXP with SP2 installed and activated
> on your computer. No more formatting and inserting disc to show you
> have
> the previous system. So if your hard drive dies and you have to reinstall
> Vista you have to install XP ( and update it to SP2 ) first.
>
>
> 3/ You cannot then install your XP Pro on another computer ( well you can
> but you wont be able to activate it )
>
>
> 4/ In the USA ( and Canada ) if you purchase one copy you can then under
> the
> "family" plan you can purchase 2 more copies for US$50 each. But
> Microsoft
> doesnt really give a stuff about anything outside of Nth America
>
>
> Just a couple of little surprises for people thinking about going the
> Vista
> route
>
>
>