Two systems, two different versions

Do you have Vista installation DVDs for both?
The EULAs probably say you can not switch. You might call Dell and see if
it is possible; they might have a cheap way to legally switch.
If you have the DVDs for both, you could try it out fairly cheaply. Buy a
new hard drive for the desktop. Install the HP on the desktop machine
without activating. If it requires activation, then you probably can't
switch. If it does not require activation, then it is probably happy just
being on any Dell. Of course, there is no guarantee that some time in the
future, something might require reactivation and you are out of luck. If
this is for business, I'd say stay legal. If this is for play, be
adventurous. Always be backed up.

-Paul Randall

"Joe Roux" <JoeRoux RemoveThis @discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:67607A1A-6748-4B70-BD5B-B36F9CDF37CE@microsoft.com...
>I have two different versions of Vista, Home Premium and Home Basic. The
>HP
> is on my laptop and the HB is on my desktop. Both of these machines are
> Dell's.
>
> What I would like to do is to swap the OS's, move the HP to my desktop and
> the HB to my laptop. The functionality of the HP is much more useful to
> me
> on the desktop.
>
> Is this a "call to Microsoft" issue? Will they let me do this (I have
> both
> install disks).
>
> Joe

Joe

You cannot do this since the versions supplied by Dell are OEM. You would
not be able to activate either version if you did succeed in moving them.

--

Ronnie Vernon
Microsoft MVP
Windows Shell/User


"Joe Roux" <JoeRoux DeleteThis @discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:67607A1A-6748-4B70-BD5B-B36F9CDF37CE@microsoft.com...
>I have two different versions of Vista, Home Premium and Home Basic. The
>HP
> is on my laptop and the HB is on my desktop. Both of these machines are
> Dell's.
>
> What I would like to do is to swap the OS's, move the HP to my desktop and
> the HB to my laptop. The functionality of the HP is much more useful to
> me
> on the desktop.
>
> Is this a "call to Microsoft" issue? Will they let me do this (I have
> both
> install disks).
>
> Joe

Joe Roux wrote:
> I have two different versions of Vista, Home Premium and Home Basic. The HP
> is on my laptop and the HB is on my desktop. Both of these machines are
> Dell's.

They're not yours?

> What I would like to do is to swap the OS's, move the HP to my desktop and
> the HB to my laptop. The functionality of the HP is much more useful to me
> on the desktop.

No can do because Dell ties their OEM copy of Hasta la Vista, Baby to
the BIOS and to the hardware.

> Is this a "call to Microsoft" issue? Will they let me do this (I have both
> install disks).
>
> Joe

No, this is a "call Dell" issue because they are the OEM and in charge
of supporting their lame excuses for computers, including Hasta la
Vista, Baby.

--
Alias
To email me, remove shoes

Joe Roux wrote:
> I have two different versions of Vista, Home Premium and Home Basic. The HP
> is on my laptop and the HB is on my desktop. Both of these machines are
> Dell's.
>
> What I would like to do is to swap the OS's, move the HP to my desktop and
> the HB to my laptop. The functionality of the HP is much more useful to me
> on the desktop.
>
> Is this a "call to Microsoft" issue? Will they let me do this (I have both
> install disks).
>
> Joe


The first thing to determine is the specific type of license for each
version.

If either one is an OEM license (came pre-installed on the computer),
it cannot legitmately be transfered to any other computer, ever.

If both licenses are retail (purchased off the shelf and installed by
your or your agent), then all you need do is remove each from the
current computer, install on the desired target computer, and
re-activate, probably via telephone.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:
http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. -Bertrand Russell

Alias wrote:
> Joe Roux wrote:
>> I have two different versions of Vista, Home Premium and Home Basic.
>> The HP is on my laptop and the HB is on my desktop. Both of these
>> machines are Dell's.
>
> They're not yours?
>
>> What I would like to do is to swap the OS's, move the HP to my desktop
>> and the HB to my laptop. The functionality of the HP is much more
>> useful to me on the desktop.
>
> No can do because Dell ties their OEM copy of Hasta la Vista, Baby to
> the BIOS and to the hardware.
>
>> Is this a "call to Microsoft" issue? Will they let me do this (I have
>> both install disks).
>>
>> Joe
>
> No, this is a "call Dell" issue because they are the OEM and in charge
> of supporting their lame excuses for computers, including Hasta la
> Vista, Baby.
>


Should I say welcome back?

Ya know what, having been there and done that so many times now what
with having to phone MS, screw around with damned OEM OSs that aren't
really workable and beg for a working system that I've paid for the
learning curve for Debian is a whole lot easier

> No, this is a "call Dell" issue because they are the OEM and in charge
> of supporting their lame excuses for computers, including Hasta la
> Vista, Baby.
>
> --
> Alias
> To email me, remove shoes


And does this include Dell's lame excuse for offering PC's with Ubuntu?

Geez, what a troll... you can't even get that right. What a surprise.

Lang

"Joe Roux" <JoeRoux.DeleteThis@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:67607A1A-6748-4B70-BD5B-B36F9CDF37CE@microsoft.com...
>I have two different versions of Vista, Home Premium and Home Basic. The
>HP
> is on my laptop and the HB is on my desktop. Both of these machines are
> Dell's.
>
> What I would like to do is to swap the OS's, move the HP to my desktop and
> the HB to my laptop. The functionality of the HP is much more useful to
> me
> on the desktop.
>
> Is this a "call to Microsoft" issue? Will they let me do this (I have
> both
> install disks).
>

You'd probably be best off by doing the Anytime Upgrade thing to get Home
Premium on your desktop as well.

ss.

Charlie Tame wrote:
> Alias wrote:
>> Joe Roux wrote:
>>> I have two different versions of Vista, Home Premium and Home Basic.
>>> The HP is on my laptop and the HB is on my desktop. Both of these
>>> machines are Dell's.
>>
>> They're not yours?
>>
>>> What I would like to do is to swap the OS's, move the HP to my
>>> desktop and the HB to my laptop. The functionality of the HP is much
>>> more useful to me on the desktop.
>>
>> No can do because Dell ties their OEM copy of Hasta la Vista, Baby to
>> the BIOS and to the hardware.
>>
>>> Is this a "call to Microsoft" issue? Will they let me do this (I
>>> have both install disks).
>>>
>>> Joe
>>
>> No, this is a "call Dell" issue because they are the OEM and in charge
>> of supporting their lame excuses for computers, including Hasta la
>> Vista, Baby.
>>
>
>
> Should I say welcome back?

Sure, what not?

>
> Ya know what, having been there and done that so many times now what
> with having to phone MS, screw around with damned OEM OSs that aren't
> really workable and beg for a working system that I've paid for the
> learning curve for Debian is a whole lot easier

Really!

--
Alias
To email me, remove shoes