First, many thanks to Hugh for his help in this earlier related thread. I decided to get two boxed CD sets of 360 v5.0 under an excellent promotion at our local big box, one for my computers and one for my friend's. We're in the process of getting "the old junk" off and getting ready to install.
Unfortunately, we left the final "solution" unresolved ... or at least I didn't quite "get" it!
What he said that confused me was as follows, with my additional comments in italics:
... you certainly do not want to use the CD, since it will be older than you have installed or can update to on line, but just click on the Renew/Subscribe link on the NIS screen and when you get the box to use an existing KEY insert it there. ... Since I've made the decision to upgrade to 360 from NIS, I am not certain that this applies, and it will be necessary (on my machines) to use the CD or some other means to install the new product.
I "think" you are referring to updating the 2010 to 2011 which I suggest we should deal with seperately once you have frozen the game plan for the subscriptions? OK On that? The game plan is frozen ....
If so then we can deal with how best to upgrade your 3 PCs from 2010 to 2011.
And just one further thing that does combine the two -- on the friend's 2 PCs after they have been cleaned of all that dirty foreign stuff <gdr> you can directly install the 2011 current version from a file we will link you to for download as a single file you can copy and use on several PCs independently of the KEY. This "file that we will link you to" needs clarification, and I need directions to it.
That way the friend can start with the current version of NIS 2011 and not have to update from the first version that is on the CD. I have not installed anything from CD yet....
AND when 2012 is released laler this year, both of you can update all the PCs at no charge for the balance of the current subscription just by using the 2012 file or the Update Center.
The current status is that I have purchased two CD copies of 360 v5.0 and both are awaiting installation. My friend's trial version of McAfee has expired and will be cleaned rom that PC so we can install 360 ASAP; my subscription to NIS 2010 expires in about 10 days. I have, as of this moment, not even attempted any of the steps needed to install on any machine.
Where is this most recent and updated "file that we will link you to?" What steps do I need to take or information do I need to gather (current CD product key, etc.) prior to installation? What else do I need to know? Have I forgotten anything?
Duke