Clean install of Vista with upgrade cd.

[jasong]

For those of you wanting to build a brand new computer and install Vista yourselves, you may be able to get by with an upgrade cd.

I haven't tried this trick myself, but apparently you run the upgrade cd until it's time to enter the product key, then start over, I guess by resetting your computer, and enter the product key on the second go round.

The Inquirer said that Microsoft doesn't intend to patch this hole. Presumably, they expect people not to use this method because they'll feel naughty for not paying the full price for the OS.

[Fozzie]

with a bargepole.

Always messy leaving an old system partially on your HDD.

Might save you a few quid but the long term hag will be greater.

[Biggles]

That's the point of this work around, it allows you to do a clean install of Vista using only an upgrade disc. No need to install XP or whatever first.

http://arstechnica.com/journals/microsoft.ars/2007/2/6/6932

[LAURENU2]

All Upgrades from M$ can do a full install it just asks to see your Old OS Disks