Upgrade or Full Retail Version?

Hi Guys,

My daughter has a laptop running Vista Home Premium - It's having all sorts
of problems and at one point had loads of Virus' & Malware (she didn't know
any better). It's now running dreadfully slow and the computer man in the
store said the best way would be to flatten it and start again.

I was thinking about doing this but now that Windows 7 has come along maybe
that's the way forward? I see there's quite a big difference between the
Full Retail & Upgrade versions (someone told me I could buy a OEM version?).
Anyway, my question is will any of the problems that I'm having remain if I
buy the upgrade version? Will the upgrade version allow me to format and
start again?

Any help would be appreciated.

Kindest regards,
Debi :-)

On Mon, 30 Nov 2009 19:50:20 +0000, Debi wrote:

> Hi Guys,
>
> My daughter has a laptop running Vista Home Premium - It's having all
> sorts of problems and at one point had loads of Virus' & Malware (she
> didn't know any better). It's now running dreadfully slow and the
> computer man in the store said the best way would be to flatten it and
> start again.
>
> I was thinking about doing this but now that Windows 7 has come along
> maybe that's the way forward? I see there's quite a big difference
> between the Full Retail & Upgrade versions (someone told me I could buy
> a OEM version?). Anyway, my question is will any of the problems that
> I'm having remain if I buy the upgrade version? Will the upgrade version
> allow me to format and start again?
>
> Any help would be appreciated.
>
> Kindest regards,
> Debi :-)

I could be wrong, but I thought I had read that with the upgrade version
you can indeed do a clean install - at some point it will ask for the
'original' disk to verify.

As there seems to be very little real difference between vista and win7,
I think it would be a waste of your money either way.

On Mon, 30 Nov 2009 19:50:20 -0000, "Debi" <> wrote:

>Hi Guys,
>
>My daughter has a laptop running Vista Home Premium - It's having all sorts
>of problems and at one point had loads of Virus' & Malware (she didn't know
>any better). It's now running dreadfully slow and the computer man in the
>store said the best way would be to flatten it and start again.
>
>I was thinking about doing this but now that Windows 7 has come along maybe
>that's the way forward? I see there's quite a big difference between the
>Full Retail & Upgrade versions (someone told me I could buy a OEM version?).
>Anyway, my question is will any of the problems that I'm having remain if I
>buy the upgrade version? Will the upgrade version allow me to format and
>start again?
>
>Any help would be appreciated.

Yes, the upgrade version will allow a fresh install.

You shouldn't have any problems, since it will sense and note an
existing Vista instillation. Just make sure you select the correct
option; 'Clean' not 'Upgrade in place'.

This CNET article lays out the procedure rather succinctly:
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13860_3-10388567-56.html

A_C

Hi, Debi.

There are just two main distinctions between Upgrade and Full Retail disks.

1. Upgrade costs less.

2. Upgrade will insist on seeing a qualifying version of Windows already
installed. (Ray's suggestion of "just show me the qualifying disk" used to
work, for WinXP and prior, but now Win7 won't be satisfied with that; it
will want to see your Vista already installed.)

Once the Upgrade has satisfied itself as to #2, the actual install procedure
is the same with either disk.

An OEM disk is even cheaper - but there are reasons for that! You don't
want OEM in this situation.

While an Upgrade installation is possible (with either Upgrade or Full
disks), I usually am more comfy with a Clean Install. That is especially
true in a situation like your daughter's where the Vista installation has
been compromised. An Upgrade installation might very well carry over some
of the problems that she is trying to get rid of.

RC
--
R. C. White, CPA
San Marcos, TX

Microsoft Windows MVP
Windows Live Mail 2009 (14.0.8089.0726) in Win7 Ultimate x64

"Debi" <> wrote in message
news:...
> Hi Guys,
>
> My daughter has a laptop running Vista Home Premium - It's having all
> sorts of problems and at one point had loads of Virus' & Malware (she
> didn't know any better). It's now running dreadfully slow and the computer
> man in the store said the best way would be to flatten it and start again.
>
> I was thinking about doing this but now that Windows 7 has come along
> maybe that's the way forward? I see there's quite a big difference
> between the Full Retail & Upgrade versions (someone told me I could buy a
> OEM version?). Anyway, my question is will any of the problems that I'm
> having remain if I buy the upgrade version? Will the upgrade version allow
> me to format and start again?
>
> Any help would be appreciated.
>
> Kindest regards,
> Debi :-)

"Debi" <> wrote in
news::

> Hi Guys,
>
> My daughter has a laptop running Vista Home Premium - It's having all
> sorts of problems and at one point had loads of Virus' & Malware (she
> didn't know any better). It's now running dreadfully slow and the
> computer man in the store said the best way would be to flatten it and
> start again.
>
> I was thinking about doing this but now that Windows 7 has come along
> maybe that's the way forward? I see there's quite a big difference
> between the Full Retail & Upgrade versions (someone told me I could
> buy a OEM version?). Anyway, my question is will any of the problems
> that I'm having remain if I buy the upgrade version? Will the upgrade
> version allow me to format and start again?
>
> Any help would be appreciated.
>
> Kindest regards,
> Debi :-)


Debi,

OS aside, the problem remains that your daughter still won't know any
better. <VBG>

Good luck,

Andy

On Mon, 30 Nov 2009 17:14:55 -0600, Andy wrote:

> "Debi" <> wrote in
> news::
>
>> Hi Guys,
>>
>> My daughter has a laptop running Vista Home Premium - It's having all
>> sorts of problems and at one point had loads of Virus' & Malware (she
>> didn't know any better). It's now running dreadfully slow and the
>> computer man in the store said the best way would be to flatten it and
>> start again.
>>
>> I was thinking about doing this but now that Windows 7 has come along
>> maybe that's the way forward? I see there's quite a big difference
>> between the Full Retail & Upgrade versions (someone told me I could buy
>> a OEM version?). Anyway, my question is will any of the problems that
>> I'm having remain if I buy the upgrade version? Will the upgrade
>> version allow me to format and start again?
>>
>> Any help would be appreciated.
>>
>> Kindest regards,
>> Debi :-)
>
>
> Debi,
>
> OS aside, the problem remains that your daughter still won't know any
> better. <VBG>

You're probably right. Perhaps it would be better to set her up with
Linux - then she won't NEED to know any better.


>
> Good luck,
>
> Andy

Debi wrote:
> Hi Guys,
>
> My daughter has a laptop running Vista Home Premium - It's having all
> sorts of problems and at one point had loads of Virus' & Malware (she
> didn't know any better). It's now running dreadfully slow and the
> computer man in the store said the best way would be to flatten it and
> start again.

Surfing porn and loading malware?

I say this as I do not even run an AV full time. Say once every month
or two I give it one quick scan. Haven't had a virus ever (touch wood).
Kids are not allowed to touch it.

But could be the torrent stuff.

But I practice safe computing. I don't click on every hot program I
find. I don't open email I don't expect. I don't click on adverts and
cute faces with promises of better sex, free rides and hot fads.

> I was thinking about doing this but now that Windows 7 has come along
> maybe that's the way forward? I see there's quite a big difference
> between the Full Retail & Upgrade versions (someone told me I could buy
> a OEM version?). Anyway, my question is will any of the problems that
> I'm having remain if I buy the upgrade version? Will the upgrade version
> allow me to format and start again?
>
> Any help would be appreciated.

I would do a scratch reload the system from the OEM recovery disks.
Start by backing up only the data. Then update it 100%. Then finally
load an AV and Bluecoats K9. Put the data back on the system only once
the AV is running. Once you have K9 setup the way you like, turn her
loose on it. Let her know you will audit the logs even if you don't.

http://www1.k9webprotection.com/

"R. C. White" <> wrote in message
news:9PWdneq-...
> Hi, Debi.
>
> There are just two main distinctions between Upgrade and Full Retail
> disks.
>
> 1. Upgrade costs less.
>
> 2. Upgrade will insist on seeing a qualifying version of Windows
> already installed. (Ray's suggestion of "just show me the qualifying
> disk" used to work, for WinXP and prior, but now Win7 won't be satisfied
> with that; it will want to see your Vista already installed.)
>
> Once the Upgrade has satisfied itself as to #2, the actual install
> procedure is the same with either disk.
>
> An OEM disk is even cheaper - but there are reasons for that! You don't
> want OEM in this situation.
>
> While an Upgrade installation is possible (with either Upgrade or Full
> disks), I usually am more comfy with a Clean Install. That is especially
> true in a situation like your daughter's where the Vista installation has
> been compromised. An Upgrade installation might very well carry over some
> of the problems that she is trying to get rid of.
>
> RC
> --
> R. C. White, CPA
> San Marcos, TX
>
> Microsoft Windows MVP
> Windows Live Mail 2009 (14.0.8089.0726) in Win7 Ultimate x64
>


This sounds like the answer to the question I asked earlier then. I have a
new Dell Vista, the upgrade disc came the other day. The PC has nothing on
it. I have just played around to make sure it works. I was just waiting to
get a blank disc to make a restore then was going to try to put Win. 7 on
it. If the disc will give me a chance to do a full install I will. I take it
you mean since Vista is already on it, that will be all it needs to qualify
it? After it's Win 7 if I ever have to use the restore discs it will still
work, just put it back to Vista again so I could again then make it Win. 7?
Doing stuff like this always scares hell out of me. I always picture the
damn things going BSOD and never coming back. <G>
--
Hard work pays off in the future. Laziness pays off now.

"Debi" <> wrote in message
news:...
> Hi Guys,
>
> My daughter has a laptop running Vista Home Premium - It's having all
> sorts of problems and at one point had loads of Virus' & Malware (she
> didn't know any better). It's now running dreadfully slow and the computer
> man in the store said the best way would be to flatten it and start again.
>
> I was thinking about doing this but now that Windows 7 has come along
> maybe that's the way forward? I see there's quite a big difference
> between the Full Retail & Upgrade versions (someone told me I could buy a
> OEM version?). Anyway, my question is will any of the problems that I'm
> having remain if I buy the upgrade version? Will the upgrade version allow
> me to format and start again?
>
> Any help would be appreciated.
>
> Kindest regards,
> Debi :-)

I agree with the computer man - do a complete new installation of your Vista
HP and make sure its running OK. In the future you may wish to upgrade to
Windows 7. And then make sure you have a good Anti Virus and Anti Malware
regime in place. Upgrading now will only carry forward any hidden problems
IMO.

HTH

Bill

"Alex Clayton" <> wrote in message
news:...
> "R. C. White" <> wrote in message
> news:9PWdneq-...
>> Hi, Debi.
>>
>> There are just two main distinctions between Upgrade and Full Retail
>> disks.
>>
>> 1. Upgrade costs less.
>>
>> 2. Upgrade will insist on seeing a qualifying version of Windows
>> already installed. (Ray's suggestion of "just show me the qualifying
>> disk" used to work, for WinXP and prior, but now Win7 won't be satisfied
>> with that; it will want to see your Vista already installed.)
>>
>> Once the Upgrade has satisfied itself as to #2, the actual install
>> procedure is the same with either disk.
>>
>> An OEM disk is even cheaper - but there are reasons for that! You don't
>> want OEM in this situation.
>>
>> While an Upgrade installation is possible (with either Upgrade or Full
>> disks), I usually am more comfy with a Clean Install. That is especially
>> true in a situation like your daughter's where the Vista installation has
>> been compromised. An Upgrade installation might very well carry over
>> some of the problems that she is trying to get rid of.
>>
>> RC
>> --
>> R. C. White, CPA
>> San Marcos, TX
>>
>> Microsoft Windows MVP
>> Windows Live Mail 2009 (14.0.8089.0726) in Win7 Ultimate x64
>>
>
>
> This sounds like the answer to the question I asked earlier then. I have a
> new Dell Vista, the upgrade disc came the other day. The PC has nothing on
> it. I have just played around to make sure it works. I was just waiting to
> get a blank disc to make a restore then was going to try to put Win. 7 on
> it. If the disc will give me a chance to do a full install I will. I take
> it you mean since Vista is already on it, that will be all it needs to
> qualify it? After it's Win 7 if I ever have to use the restore discs it
> will still work, just put it back to Vista again so I could again then
> make it Win. 7?


You can do a clean install with Windows 7 upgrade media without first
loading Vista and it will Activate:
<http://www.winsupersite.com/win7/clean_install_upgrade_media.asp>


> Doing stuff like this always scares hell out of me. I always picture the
> damn things going BSOD and never coming back. <G>
> --
> Hard work pays off in the future. Laziness pays off now.