Windows 8 upgrade version conundrum

Gentlemen:

http://www.pcauthority.com.au/News/...ows-8-pro-do-not-work-for-clean-installs.aspx
After confusion at the local Windows 8 launch, we purchased a boxed copy of Windows 8 Pro to see if it would work for a clean installs.

Microsoft has confused retail resellers on the pricing and availability of its Windows 8 operating system, providing no specific details despite a major licensing change.

The company told attendees of its launch event in Sydney today that it would only sell upgrades of the software in retail stores - no boxed copies of the full OS would be available.

JB HiFi staff have also reported that Microsoft had only made upgrade versions available.

But representatives from Harvey Norman and Dick Smith told our sister publication CRN they were “definitely” selling full boxed versions of the software in their stores -- the Windows 8 Pro box for $58.

After checking out some of the websites for these major retailers, we swung by the local Dick Smith Electronics store at North Sydney, and asked for a boxed copy of Windows 8 Pro. After dropping the $58 and chatting with the very pleasant clerk about how cheap the new Windows was, we headed back to the office, and fired it up in the labs.

Our testing was done using a testbench witth the following specs - AMD A10-5800K APU,Gigabyte F2A85X-UP4 Motherboard, 4GB DDR3 and a Plextor M5 SSD. We ensured that the SSD in question was unformatted and straight out of the box from the distributor. We chose a clean install of Windows 8, typed in the included product key and the OS was installed in no time at all.

So far so good, there was no sign of any issues, and we were able to run Windows update and navigate the web. Live tiles began updating as they were supposed to, and it looked like online reports of the boxed copy working were correct.

Deciding to push our luck, we activated the operating system. This was the point where we first encountered problems – we were asked to re-enter our product key (a sure sign that something was up), and once we did this an error message popped up telling us that the software could only be used for upgrading, not clean installation.

Given the confusion from the launch, we suspected that this would be the case. It is also a cautionary tale that you can’t believe the reports that we are seeing about it working without a copy to upgrade from. As is the way with Windows 7, you’ll have to activate it at some point, and that is where the difference between OEM and these retail boxes comes into play.

Why is this the case?

During the launch, and in the press materials, Microsoft neglected to mention the licensing changes it has introduced with Windows 8.

Microsoft previously offered OEM licenses for systems builders, as well as retail upgrade licenses and full retail licenses.

Systems builder licenses are traditionally significantly cheaper than the full retail license, and previously weren’t available directly to end-users. With Windows 7 and prior, the OS was bundled onto hardware and sold via a reseller to the customer.

Microsoft now has done away with the full retail licenses -- meaning full boxed versions will no longer be available in stores -- and added an element to its systems builders licence that allows for personal use.

Microsoft refused to provide any official pricing or launch information on this version, but it is currently available on a number of online stores from upwards of $100 for the 32-bit, and over $150 for the 64-bit versions.

Ars Technica reported that the retail licenses now only covered simple upgrades. There appear to be no changes to its major OEM and Enterprise licenses, meaning no headaches for Microsoft resellers.

While we were undertaking our lab testing, CRN contacted Microsoft multiple times for comment and is yet to receive a response.
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louispires said:
lol anyone willing to borrow me there account which has a registered IP?? As I am on Afrihost and it doesn't work!

I am desperate here...
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I wouldn't get your hopes up. Handing over a username and password means that you could change it, abuse the account, share it, violate the ISP's T&C's in some manner, prevent the owner from having access etc.
 
So in summary,while you can use an upgrade key to do a clean install,you won't be able to activate it from a clean install
 
Busy going through the process


I have
a) Logged onto Live (I keep all my commercial licenses against my username)
b) Purchased. I have my Product Key. The R299 seems bull because at the exchange rate it is more (Will live with it w/o getting to stressed)
c) Download in progress - Gong at a reasonable speed - Will take 90 mins to download - 12 mins to go

Apart from the price confusion its still cheap (relative to past)
Will feedback after I have upgraded
 
If you want to be covered legally Licensewise for any machine upgrades or switching buy a 7 home basic retail license and an 8 upgrade license,works you to around 1400,then you have win8 standard "full"
 
so, to do a fresh clean install you first format & install the old version, then do the new version? thats forward thinking :-)
well... i guess it IS an 'upgrade' version.
sure there will be 'full' versions later, especially if u buy a pc with Win8 pre-installed, so u cant be expected to have an old version
 
Ok so it seems to be a settled now that Windows 8 is only an upgrade version. I have a legitimate Windows 7 Home Premium Edition. Can I upgrade to the Windows 8 Pro edition at the same price or do I need Win 7 Professional? Further, can I install Win 8 on more than one pc with my legitimate Win 7 installed on them. Anyone?
 
Actually this whole getting Win 8 online thing has turned out to be a painful experience thanks to our SA "broadband" providers. Having to buy bandwith when you already have an uncapped account is such BS. I hop everyone gives their ISP's hell!
 
dualmeister said:
Actually this whole getting Win 8 online thing has turned out to be a painful experience thanks to our SA "broadband" providers. Having to buy bandwith when you already have an uncapped account is such BS. I hop everyone gives their ISP's hell!
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How can an uncapped account be unable to download it? Who is your ISP?
 
Bryn26 said:
How can an uncapped account be unable to download it? Who is your ISP?
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The new MTN network uses IP range of 105.xxx and this isn't recognized by Microsoft to be South-African so it gives an error

"Sorry, Windows 8 could not be downloaded in your country!"
 
I reported the issue to Afrihost (twice) but haven't heard anything back. Has anyone had any feedback regarding the 105 IP range and 'not available in country' error issue?

It's pretty unfair to have to go buy a box/DVD version of the same through at almost double or to have to go buy bandwith from another ISP to get the Win8 upgrade because of an internal issue at the ISP

Check out www.ip2location.com and if your IP comes up as 105. you'll see all your Geo information is blank / unlisted
 
louispires said:
The new MTN network uses IP range of 105.xxx and this isn't recognized by Microsoft to be South-African so it gives an error

"Sorry, Windows 8 could not be downloaded in your country!"
Click to expand...

Check out overplay.net and see if you can't set your location as South Africa with the $5 package.

It's pretty funny that the one and only time you'd ever want to be recognised as an SA internet user, you're not recognised as one.
 
ryancohen said:
I reported the issue to Afrihost (twice) but haven't heard anything back. Has anyone had any feedback regarding the 105 IP range and 'not available in country' error issue?

It's pretty unfair to have to go buy a box/DVD version of the same through at almost double or to have to go buy bandwith from another ISP to get the Win8 upgrade because of an internal issue at the ISP

Check out www.ip2location.com and if your IP comes up as 105. you'll see all your Geo information is blank / unlisted
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If your phone number isn't listed in the phone book is it your fault or theirs? :P The registrars should be monitoring the IP registry more closely
 
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