Installing Windows Upgrade versions onto an empty computer...?

Question

I understand that if I want to install any Windows Upgrade versions onto an EMPTY computer, I will be prompted to insert a disc to prove I have a previous version of windows.

I want to know if this can be an Upgrade or OEM disc.

Eg

-I want to install a Windows Vista Upgrade version....
-When it asks me to insert a previous windows disc, can I use a Windows XP Upgrade or OEM disc? Or does it have to be a full version disc?

Answer 1

It must be the full version, not the upgrade version. And the OEM disk, as long as it is the full version OEM disk, you should be fine.

Answer 2

If you are trying to install an upgrade, you will have to have a full version of the previous software or it will not allow it to upgrade.
OEM should be a full version.

Answer 3

To install Windows using a clean installation

http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/e77344fa-e978-464c-953e-eba44f0522671033.mspx

When you install Windows using a clean installation, your existing version of Windows, including all of your files, settings, and programs, is automatically replaced. You can back up your files and settings, but you must manually reinstall your programs when the installation is done.

Use a clean installation if your computer has no operating system installed; or you want to delete your current operating system and replace it with Windows Vista; or you want to partition your hard disk, and install Windows Vista on a specific partition.

Before you install Windows, check your hardware compatibility. Go to the Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor on the Microsoft website. Alternatively, you can run the Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor during installation.


1. Turn on your computer, insert the Windows installation disc into the computer's DVD or CD drive, and then do one of the following:
•

If your computer already has an operating system installed, and if you do not want to create, extend, delete, or format partitions, go to step 2.
•

If your computer does not have an operating system installed or if you want to create, extend, delete, or format partitions, you need to restart your computer with the installation disc inserted in your CD or DVD drive. This will cause your computer to start (or "boot") from the installation CD or DVD. If you are asked to press a key to boot from DVD or CD, press any key. If the Install Windows page appears, go to step 2.

If the Install Windows page does not appear and you're not asked to press a key to start from DVD or CD, you might have to specify that your computer use its DVD or CD drive as the startup device. This means that you need to set the DVD or CD drive to the first startup device in the basic input/output system (BIOS). To learn how to do this, see Start Windows from a CD or DVD. After you have selected your DVD or CD drive as the startup device, restart your computer, and then start Windows from the installation DVD or CD as previously described.


2. On the Install Windows page, follow any instructions that might appear, and then click Install now.


3. On the Get important updates for installation page, we recommend getting the latest updates to help ensure a successful installation and help protect your computer against security threats. You will need an Internet connection to get installation updates.


4. On the Type your product key for activation page, we strongly recommend that you type your 25-character product key to help avoid problems during activation.


5. On the Please read the license terms page, if you accept the license terms, click I accept the license terms.


6. On the Which type of installation do you want? page, click Custom.


7. On the Where do you want to install Windows? page, select where you want to install Windows.

• If you don't partition your hard disk, click Next. The installation will start automatically. You might see a compatibility report that lists which programs and software drivers won't work after the installation. You can resolve any issues after the installation is complete.

• If you have an existing partition and want to have more than one operating system on the same computer, you can install Windows on a specific partition. (This is called a dual-boot or multiboot configuration.) If you do this, be sure to install Windows on a different partition from the partition where your current version of Windows is installed. To install Windows on an existing partition, select the partition you want to use, and then click Next to begin the installation. You might see a compatibility report.

• If you want to create, extend, delete, or format a partition, you must start Windows from the installation DVD or CD. If you did not begin the installation process this way, follow the instructions for starting Windows from the installation DVD or CD that appear in the first step of this procedure, and then follow the instructions on each screen. On the Where do you want to install Windows? page, click Drive options (advanced), click the option you want, and then follow the instructions. Click Next to begin the installation. You might see a compatibility report.


8. Follow the instructions.

Answer 4

have to be full version