Customer Reviews

Microsoft Windows Vista Anytime Upgrade Pack with SP1 [Home Premium to Ultimate] [Old Version]

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(11)

 

 

I just received my upgrade DVD today, only to discover that it only includes the 32-bit software. A small insert in the case gives a special URL (below) where you can go to order *free* alternate media. This allows you to get a copy of the upgrade on CD instead of DVD, or to get a 64-bit version of the upgrade.

I know what you're thinking...that you'll just order the alternate media now so that it will be ready to install once your upgrade DVD arrives with it's key. Sorry, you need your product key to order the 64-bit version. I went to the web page and entered my information, but it wouldn't process, so I had to call Microsoft directly. To my surprise, a real person (friendly and fluent in English) answered the phone immediately and was able to process my request. They are mailing me the 64-bit DVD which I was told would arrive within 3-10 business days. He explained that the new product keys being issued are not yet in their online system, so they have to be processed via phone.

I was not charged for the media, or for shipping.

[...]

If you're reading this, you probably know whether you need the upgrade or not, just make sure you allow yourself some extra time if you're currently running a 64-bit version of Vista Home Premium.

I'm giving this 4 stars. Would have been 5 stars if the DVD had included 64-bit versions. (Unfortunately nothing in the product description makes this apparent.)

This product will not upgrade 64-bit Vista installations (OEM or retail). This should be noted in the product's title or product description. It is really a Microsoft situation, not the retailer - but a note or warning would be nice. If you have a 64-bit Vista system to upgrade you can buy this product, open it (now you've bought it) and read a little flyer that directs you to a MS web site to order 64-bit media. The web site does not work! Digging through Microsoft's main web site to find a MS customer service contact number is also a bit of a chore as is finding a Rep who knows the 64-bit upgrade issue. Once you make contact Microsoft will, with faxed proof-of purchase of your upgrade, send you the Vista Ultimate media (both a 64-bit and 32-bit disk) & one activation code. This is not an upgrade disk - its for clean installs only, so be prepared to reload your Apps. Additional Cost: A) Free, if you have a retail copy of 64-bit Vista Home Premium (and can prove it) and you then bought the Vista Ultimate Upgrade; or B) about $30 additional if you have an OEM districbution of 64-bit Vista Home Premium. One small advantage with the media deliverd is that it is transferrrable to another machine, if you wish to do so in the future.

Upgrade was easier then expected. Took a little less then 1 hour. Would have helped if the requirements had stated that Home Premium had to be updated to SP1 first. This caused an abort of initial attempt and it took almost as long to upgrade Premium to SP1 as it took to upgrade to Ultimate. Also I feel that most installations fail because people get impatient and anxious during periods when no activity is evident. It would help significantly if Microsoft designed the installer to constantly assure the user that things are proceeding successfully.

Don't blame Amazon when you receive a 32-bit only version of the upgrade. BLAME MICROSOFT.

I ordered my copy of the Vista Home Premium to Ultimate Anytime Upgrade direct from Microsoft, hoping to avoid this whole 32-bit only fiasco, despite the fact that shipping time from Microsoft is two to four weeks.

The package did arrive a few days early, but guess what... Microsoft sent me the 32-bit only version of the upgrade, and now they expect me to pay shipping on a copy of the 64-bit disc.

I patiently waited for upgrade to arrive, and this is what I get? How stupid is that? Would it have been so hard to include both versions in the package?

Thanks, Microsoft. Don't think for a second I going to easily fork over another $5.99 to ship what you should have sent me in the first place....

UPDATE: It took some time, but I finally got hold of a rep who could help me at 888.285.6272 (open 'til 7:00 PM PT weekdays). After explaining I ordered direct from MS to avoid the whole 32-bit issue problem, she put my order in for 64-bit, to be shipped at no additional cost to me. Be prepared to listen to hold music for awhile, as the reps are busy with this issue alone.

BTW, you must call for the 64-bit replacement. Online alternate media ordering (URL in your 32-bit DVD package) will most likely only give you the option of ordering 32-bit CDs.

Ms. MS Rep Lady: THANK YOU for a pleasant ordering experience, despite the circumstance. I wish all reps were that pleasant. Great job!

I purchased this upgrade for my new office desktop computer and had to wait about a month for it's delivery. In the mean time, I went ahead and set up my computer for use with the factory installed home premium operating system. I installed all the software I was currently using on my old computer and transferred all my files and settings as well as downloaded all the internet based software that I use. About twenty hours worth of work. Well the "Anytime Upgrade Pack with SP1 Home Premium to Ultimate" arrived, I backed up my files, opened the software and followed the instructions to begin the upgrade. First, the instructions are a joke. Basically it says to insert disk and follow instructions on the screen. That's it. I did this, followed all instructions, about an hour and a half later it says "completing installation" after it went through about four or five previous steps. It then gives me a screen that says installation failed, rolling operating system back. This worries me greatly! Then I get a "rollback.exe" application failure, press cancel to exit program. At this point, my computer is BRICKED!!!!!!! At no point can I get any further ahead or back! No matter what I do, I keep getting the rolling operating system back and then the application error. I used another computer to investigate this on the net, and I found out this is a common problem with varying degrees of success in fixing the problem. I try everything I find to fix it with no success. I call Dell, waste about thirty minutes with their customer no-service and they direct me to Microsoft. I call them and spend another two hours with them trying to get out of the repeating loop and get back to the original operating system. Can't do it. I had to re-install the original home premium operating system, immediately installed the ultimate upgrade with success. The one star is for the lack of upfront instructions to shut down quite a few things in order to get a good upgrade. What really gets me is during the unsuccessful upgrade that wiped out everything on my computer - about twenty hours of work to get it where I wanted it - the install software never gave me an error, shut something down, stop until this conflict is resolved, etc. It went through with no glitches, hitches or errors up until my computer became a brick. My advice is to either use this as a clean install or call Microsoft prior to upgrading so they can tell you what the instructions don't!!!!

This upgrade does not contain the media for installing the 64 bit version of the Vista operating system.

The product contains directions for obtaining the 64 bit version of the software from Microsoft via the web. I was unable to obtain the software. I spoke with Microsoft on two occasions, and they told me that I am not eligible to receive the 64 bit media because this product is an OEM version.

Microsoft advised me to return the product to Amazon and purchase a retail version of the product.

So far I have called Microsoft 3 times, and have received 3 extra copies of Vista Ultimate 32Bit. My goal was to get the free upgrade to 64Bit, but instead so far I have paid extra to get 3 additional copies of the 32Bit version. They have so far sent me 2 "replacement" DVDs and one set of CDs. I have looked at my email order confirmations several times they say 64 bit just like the Microsoft customer care person says I bought...

Microsoft's upgrade from Home Vista to Ultimate Vista - the supposed cutting edge operating system of all time - does not include a disc for 64 bit installation. They send you a disc for a 32 bit upgrade, but charge you for an additional disc in you want the 64 bit upgrade. Another example of why we all hope Linux eventually will triumph.

I needed to upgrade from Home Premium to Ultimate on multiple PC's.

On the laptop - it was very straightforward, no issues. It took about 2 hours to complete and then you have a ton of updates to do afterwords.I did upgrade the laptop after I did the All In One Desktop, so anything after that would be simple.

The AIO desktop is used for a lot more applications that need peripherals + has a lot of editing and publishing software on it. I ran the Windows upgrade advisor and it reported back there would be no issues preventing an upgrade.

The problem arose after the installation was almost complete, I would get an error that one or more components was not compatible. I did run the advisor tool again to see if I missed some and it came back with the same results. I tried installing the upgrade a second time and had the same results. I was frustrated and finding support was very difficult. I did end up going to the Microsoft discussion board and typed in " Vista home premium to Vista Ultimate upgrade failure". There is a lot of discussions here on the various problems people have had with the anytime upgrade. I found a discussion that outlined the problem I was having exactly. The fixes discussed resulted in a successful upgrade. Here is a link to the discussion I used in case you run into this problem http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/communities/newsgroups/en-us/default.mspx?dg=microsoft.public.windows.vista.installation_setup&tid=bcb93441-5261-4b1f-801b-80a83309d9ba&cat=en_US_CAAFF0E6-0B3B-4A23-BDEF-E992BB8FD049&lang=en&cr=US&sloc=en-us&m=1&p=1

The OS is running fine on both machines now - so it is not and OS issue as much as it is an issue with how the Upgrade packages have been developed.

I have 2 more machine to upgrade, but now know what I am in store for if the upgrade fails the first time.

Good Luck

Microsoft is bad on this one, but Amazon continues to be silent on the product page regarding the 64 bit SNAFU. Read below and you will see that if you order this for a 64 bit system, you will have to go to Microsoft for an additional disk containing the 64-bit media. There are also various horror stories below, many of which have matched my experience, of the fun time people are having getting the disk out of Microsoft. (Why do I not read these reviews until after the purchase?)

I suggest that Amazon add an explanation of the extra trouble 64-bit users will face with this product. The big villain in this is Microsoft, but learning about the extra media requirement with no advance warning in the product description is galling.