The Vista Hive

[stash]

Yeah MAKs are not used for setup (like a product key), only for activation after installation. You can install and activate the MAK after installation by running slmgr.vbs

Here's some more info that might be helpful: http://www.microsoft.com/technet/windowsvista/plan/volact1.mspx

 

[SunnyD]

Man, this is going to be a nightmare for me. I handle licensing and asset management where I work, and to top it off, our workstations are generally relatively high turnover. We're constantly re-imaging machines... I can see this becoming a problem quickly.

 

[stash]

The link has instructions for including the MAK in an unattended install. Reimaging machines shouldn't be a problem unless the hardware is also changing significantly.

 

[SunnyD]

Originally posted by: stash
The link has instructions for including the MAK in an unattended install. Reimaging machines shouldn't be a problem unless the hardware is also changing significantly.

Yeah, I can handle both the MAK and KMS (once we get up to volume with Vista). But I did not see anywhere how the new system handles activations. I'm going to assume that even if I take a machine and activate it, I will still have to activate it again every time it's re-imaged. The technology is in the activation system to get a UUID for the machine, and should be able to detect a reinstall relatively easily, but no where in the documentation could I find that a reinstall won't trigger a new activation.

 

[stash]

Yeah it only refers to it tangentially:

Advantages of MAK activation include the ability to automate key assignment and activation and no requirement to periodically renew activation. Additional requirements include the need to request more activations when the number of activations passes the predetermined limit, the need to manage the installation of MAKs (automated by Business Desktop Deployment (BDD) 2007), the requirement for reactivation when significant hardware changes occur, and the potential need to manually activate systems using a telephone when no Internet connection is available.

So I'm not quite sure how reimaging is handled with MAKs. I'll try to see if I can dig up some more info.

 

[stash]

It looks like the text in bold above only applies to systems that are not reimaged. So it is saying that if you don't change the hardware on a system, you won't need to reactivate.

However, if you reinstall the OS, you will need to reactivate, which will count against the total number of MAK activations.

Q. If I use disk-cloning software to duplicate Windows Vista installations, will all new computers require activation?
A. Yes, each installation requires activation. It is essential to run sysprep /generalize as the final step to reset the product activation timers before creating the clones.

So I would think a KMS would be more appropriate in your situation, assuming you have 25 or more machines.

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/windowsvista/plan/faq.mspx

 

[SunnyD]

Originally posted by: stash
It looks like the text in bold above only applies to systems that are not reimaged. So it is saying that if you don't change the hardware on a system, you won't need to reactivate.

However, if you reinstall the OS, you will need to reactivate, which will count against the total number of MAK activations.

Q. If I use disk-cloning software to duplicate Windows Vista installations, will all new computers require activation?
A. Yes, each installation requires activation. It is essential to run sysprep /generalize as the final step to reset the product activation timers before creating the clones.

So I would think a KMS would be more appropriate in your situation, assuming you have 25 or more machines.

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/windowsvista/plan/faq.mspx

Right, it will be once we start deploying Vista. But this is exactly what I'm afraid of. We're on a Select D agreement, so we have a LOT of leeway in activations, especially since we have only about 350 deployed workstations. I would say that it will take us several years at present to run through the activations. However we're in the process of merging with 2 other companies, one of which has a userbase of over 1000 workstations. I did read that MS will simply allow you to call in once the activation limit has been reached, and after proper verification will re-assign more activations... but again, it feels like it will end up being a "sky is falling" situation once that happens.

BTW: Thanks for all the info and insights, I'm glad to know there's at least a few knowledgeable people around.

 

[JDawg1536]

Im having a problem installing Vista. I have 2 74gig Raptors in Raid 0 and its not recognizing them. Anyone know what the problem may be?

 

[SunnyD]

Originally posted by: JDawg1536
Im having a problem installing Vista. I have 2 74gig Raptors in Raid 0 and its not recognizing them. Anyone know what the problem may be?

Are you loading the RAID drivers on install? Clean install or upgrade? What motherboard, chipset, RAID chipset?

 

[ToadkillerDog]

Deleted cuz topic already exist elsewhere....

 

[rookie1010]

hey anybody tried WWAN functionality (CDMA, WCDMA, HSDPA, GSM/GPRS) on Vista?

 

[stash]

Friend of mine has a Verizon WWAN card (PCMCIA) on his laptop and it works fine. He's running RC2.

 

[Stattlich]

My RC1 PC is on my WiFi network in the same workgroup as my primary machine, a laptop. The PC can see my WiFi laptop and view its shared files, but my laptop can't see the RC1 PC and connect to the shared drive or printer that lies on it (RC1 shares look good on its end, as do drivers and all).

Any clue, folks? I'm stumped why RC1 is sharing one way and not the other...

edit: just noticed this thread is dead- I'll post my own. though, if you have an answer I would really appreciate a PM- thank you.

 

[Stattlich]

Originally posted by: rookie1010
hey anybody tried WWAN functionality (CDMA, WCDMA, HSDPA, GSM/GPRS) on Vista?

I'm running RC1 on a desktop and can't find a 32bit PCMCIA cardbus adaptor anywhere for use with my Cingular 3G card to try.

 

[timswim78]

I'm trying to understand how the Vista upgrade is going to work.

From what I understand, the Vista upgrade will only work on a computer that has XP installed, activated, and validated.

This seems like a huge pain, in the even that I ever need to do a reinstall of Vista. Anyone have any idea if this is the truth?

 

[stash]

No you can do a clean install with upgrade media, if you provide validation that you have an upgradable product (an XP CD, for example). Same as XP today.

 

[timswim78]

Originally posted by: stash
No you can do a clean install with upgrade media, if you provide validation that you have an upgradable product (an XP CD, for example). Same as XP today.

Phew. I'm glad to hear that is the case.