Can't install Vista Utimate Upgrade Edition over Vista Home Premium preinstall.

You have a German Home Premium version of Vista.

An upgrade English version of Ultimate will NOT install, no matter what you do.

You must return the English Upgrade disk, and exchange it for a German Upgrade Ultimate disk.

The path is German Home Premium > Upgrade with GERMAN Ultimate upgrade disk> download English Language Packs.

It is not false advertising, as it will install with all versions: Home Basic, Home Premium, etc.

But it won't install with all languages. Languages is different to versions.


Regarding your full version disk of Vista German Ultimate:

From the error message the disk is NOT Vista Service Pack 1, thus the installed operating system WITH SP1 is newer.

Windows is correct again.


Cheers.

Mick.

Thanks Michael,
So you’re saying the label and advertising is not misleading? It does, after all, say 'Upgrades all versions of Windows Vista'. Consider that although is in German, it is still a 'Version'. Specifically, it is the Windows Vista Home Premium German Version, as labeled. I consider this to be blatantly misleading and very much false advertising.

In any event, skipping the upgrade edition not working, and moving to the full version Windows Vista Ultimate German, if I uninstall SP1, then use the Ultimate German (full) version, and the upgrade install CD code, would this work, even though the CD is actually the full version, verses an upgrade version?

To be more clear, installation is Windows Vista Home Professional German. With SP1 applied (part of the preinstall I believe, as I did not apply any updates before attempting any of the installs/upgrades).
Use full version Windows Vista Ultimate German and Windows Vista Ultimate upgrade English CD key.

Matt

Hi _M_a_t_t_,

It is possible to do what you are trying to do.

 

While you cannot upgrade directly from your version to Ultimate, there is an upgrade path.

The following instructions will give you the directions needed to upgrade your computer to the English version of Ultimate.

Please read the directions carefully and back up all of your data before using these instructions to upgrade your machine.

 

Keyless Installation:

 

You can perform a clean install from a Vista Upgrade disk with the following Keyless Installation procedure. Note: if you are upgrading from a manufacturer or restore partition version of Vista you will not be able to recover originally packaged software, these you will have to obtain manually from an installation disk or from the OEM’s website. 

<><><><><><><><><><><><> 

Please make sure you Backup any and all important data before proceeding. Please see: Methods for backing up your files.

Always make sure you have the means to reinstall your programs, either through an install disk or having access to the installation files.

<><><><><><><><><><><><> 

1.       Insert the Windows installation disc into your computer's DVD or CD drive.

2.       On the Install Windows page, click Install now.

3.       On the Type your product key for activation page, leave the Product key field blank, click Next. At the confirmation notice click No.

4.       Select the edition of the Windows that you purchased. Note: It is very important you select the correct version. If you select the wrong version you will need to completely reinstall your system after the 30-day activation period as you will not be able to do so. Check the confirmation box and click Next.

5.       On the Please read the license terms page, if you accept the license terms, click I accept the license terms.

6.       On the Which type of installation do you want? page, click Custom (Advanced).

7.       Under Where do you want to install Windows? Select the Disk or Partition you wish to install Vista on. Click Next.

8.       Follow the instructions to complete installation.

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Matt Hudson
Microsoft Answers Support Engineer
Visit our Microsoft Answers Feedback Forum and let us know what you think.

Thanks for the reply Matt,

I have been doing research on this, and tried contacting the manufacture of the laptop, to request an English recovery disc for the computer (or at least the drivers and packaged software). The manufacture (Packard Bell) hasn't, to date, answered. Not even so much as a 'no this isn't possible' or 'sure for a small service fee'. Nothing. And that is called support......

I can't return the Ultimate disc, as the retailer refuses to accept the return because I broke the seal (how else does one get to the disc and CD key?). Stupid comment from them is, 'I could have noted the CD key and copied the disc, and because the seal is broke, they can not resell it. If I want the German version, I will have to purchase it' (thus giving me an English version I can't use, and a German version that, again, I can't use because it doesn't have SP1 built into it, and I can't uninstall the SP1 from the preinstall). Why in the world does the install ask you if it can connect to the internet and download updates during the install, if its not even going to download SP1, to allow a non-SP1 installation disc to install to an installation with SP1. A bit pointless when you allow it, and it still doesn't do it, would save everyone allot of hassle....

I have been reading that it is possible to change the CD key that the preinstall has, to the Ultimate CD key.

My questions are:
1: How to change the CD key to the Ultimate CD key, without going through a reinstall?
2: If I change the CD Key from the preinstall Vista Home Premium to Vista Ultimate, will this allow me to access the full Ultimate software that is not in Home Premium, or am I then running Home Premium with a Ultimate CD key, but none of the Ultimate options or functionality, and forced to install anyway?

The reasons I do not want to do a clean install is because the manufacture did not supply a drivers CD, nor are the drivers available on their web page (again, this is what they call support).

I can not install Ultimate to the partition where Home Premium is currently installed, it insists I have to format the hard drive to do this, and without a drivers CD, this would make the new Ultimate installation, rather useless, and I'd be stuck with a crippled Ultimate installation, and have to use the recovery partition to restore the Home Premium (that I feel is crippled), thus defeating the purpose of installing Ultimate.

I know I can simply wipe the existing installation and install a fresh install, that's something I can do, however, since I do not have drivers, and the manufacture is providing such wonderful support, I'm looking for an alternative that doesn't involve a fresh installation or buying yet another installation disc that won’t work.

I find it rather stupid of Microsoft to create this upgrade option, that doesn't even work, but expect (or is it hope?) people will fall into the trap of giving our money for it, then not support us unless we give more money. Obviously someone didn't do enough testing here. Is this intentional, poor sighted or poor programming (not trying to insult anyone, but trade places with me, wouldn't you find the current situation just bit insulting)?

Someone in Microsoft must have a solution for situations like this. If not, someone needs to come up with one. There a millions of people purchasing computers and laptops with an installation of Vista they do not want. A simple search on the internet will reveal that I'm not the only one with this issue, and thus far, no one from Microsoft has provided a solution to an issue they created.

Thanks for input, and hopefully the changing of the CD key is the solution we all need. If so, please provide a clear step-by-step guide as you did above with the keyless install method.

Hello, does anyone know the answer to the previous question? To break it down: Can one change the CD key from the existing Home Premium to Ultimate and receive all the items from Ultimate (unlock the Ultimate features), without reinstalling the operating system since the SP1 can't be removed and the upgrade does not have SP1 in it? If so, how can one change the CD key?

Thanks Mick,

Perhaps someone can explain how in the world to update/upgrade from Vista Home Premium (preinstall) with SP1 (and no option to remove SP1) to Vista Ultimate and NOT do a fresh install (thus not wiping all files, setting, drivers etc)?

Is there any possibility of downloading a CD image from MS with SP1 build in (or perhaps some way to remove SP1 from a preinstall), so that I (and others having the same issue) can upgrade (I have an original package with CD and key, but can't install)? Its a bit dumb to make (and sell) an upgrade version, that the end user can't even install... Or have I over looked something? I can buy it, but can't install it. Its not a full version, its an UPGRADE to upgrade ANY Vista version to Vista Ultimate (as stated on the package).....

Perhaps there is some way provided from MS to download SP1 and build a new CD (using the original CD and SP1) so that it has SP1 built in, so that it can be installed?

As it stands, I can buy a computer, with Vista installed. I can buy an upgrade (or down grade) to get the version I want. But I can't use them together, nor can I get support from M$, an official sponser or anyone else closly tied to M$.

I'm unsatisfied with the version installed, but I can't use the upgrade, because there is no option to uninstall the update that is installed, and the upgrade version refuses to install without the update, nor download the update during the installation (thus making things easier for everyone), even though it asks, and I chose 'Yes'.

I fail to understand why an upgrade is being sold, that refuses to upgrade what it says it can upgrade. I can understand that a service pack is installed, and causing issues, but seriously, why is there no way to install the upgrade, to, upgrade (duh) the system, when an update exists? Why not offer some method for the end user that bought it!

hi everyone,
i've the same problem as matt ... has anyone a solution to that? is there a way to change or install an alternative language pack so to change the one i've installaed on my laptop?!

Has anyone ever asked for a refund?

_M_A_T_T_, You can create a DVD with SP1 included in it using a slipstream disk: http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/151606-vista-sp1-slipstream-installation-dvd.html.  This is NOt an easy process (moderately advanced) but it can work if you follow the instructions to the letter.  Then you should be able to do the upgrade.

NOTE: If you have the wrong drivers, you will still need to correct that problem (if they are available).

frabiacca, you can try for a refund (I guess it can't hurt to try), but if you've removed the shrinkwrap from the package it is extremely unlikely you'll be successful.  I don't know how to solve the problem any other way (though perhaps someone more knowledgeable will reply with a solution if one exists).

Hope this helps.  Good luck!

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Lorien - One - MCSE/MCSA/Network+/A+