I am planning to upgrade from Windows XP to the new Windows Vista. What I was wanting to know is, when I upgrade, does Vista just replace my XP OS, or does is re-format the entire hard drive and I have to start from scratch again. I checked on Microsoft's website, but I couldn't find anything that talked about this issue.
2007-01-24 07:25:05 · 5 answers · asked by cardsharp234 1 in Computers & Internet ➔ Software
I am planning to upgrade from Windows XP to the new Windows Vista. What I was wanting to know is, when I upgrade, does Vista just replace my XP OS, or does is re-format the entire hard drive and I have to start from scratch again. I checked on Microsoft's website, but I couldn't find anything that talked about this issue.
What I am planning to do is order the full version of Vista and go from there. I bought the XP OS off of Newegg.com and they had a deal going on that for a certain ammount more + S&H, you could get Windows Vista.
2007-01-24 07:41:08 · update #1
To install the Vista Upgrade version you
1) Must install and activate your previous operating system before you can reinstall the Vista upgrade.
Windows Vista Upgrade Version only permits an actual upgrade from a genuine Windows XP / 2000 installation. It will not permit booting from the DVD and using a Windows XP/2000 CD to qualify for a clean install.
With the Upgrade Version of Windows Vista, upgrade literally means "upgrade".
2) can not install dual boot since your previous OS is no longer valid once the upgrade version is installed.
You paid a reduced price for the upgrade BECAUSE you agreed to fold your XP
license into the Vista purchase. You no longer have a separate XP license.
2007-01-24 07:52:46 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
First and foremost, I do not recommend doing an upgrade. Microsoft's way of upgrading a system will leave traces of XP behind and you'll still have all those junk files on your system that you don't need anymore. It's possible to upgrade XP to Vista but I do not recommend going so.
If you want to forge ahead with that you can either buy the upgrade version or full version of Vista. The Upgrade will only allow you to do an upgrade, it will not be able to perform a full install. To my knowledge the Upgrade version of Vista is not bootable and must be run from within XP.
The Full version of Vista can do both an upgrade and full install. When installing a new operating system, it is ALWAYS best to format your drive and install the operating system from scratch. A clean install (I hear) is faster than upgrading with Vista. Most of your hardware will be fine but some of your older devices may not work, most printers don't have drivers yet (that's on the manufacturer) and a handfull of other stuff won't work under Vista.
Search for the Vista Upgrade Advisor and run it on your system.
As I said, you can upgrade XP to Vista, I do not suggest you do that, go with a clean install, find your program CDs and prepare to reinstall them...
Or, you can dual boot Vista and XP, just partition your drive using the Vista installer OR install Vista to another hard drive (as far as I know you need the full version to do that).
2007-01-24 15:33:42 · answer #2 · answered by conradj213 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Either way. You choose. The second method, called a "clean" install replaces everything. Bear in mind, some of your programs that run on XP may not run on Vista. Be prepared for sticker shock.
2007-01-24 15:30:34 · answer #3 · answered by Kokopelli 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you can do 2 things 1st just upgrade and it will save all your programs and data so it can still be used or you can do a clean install by selecting a partition u want to install it to but this wipes averything all old windows and programs and data but it saves it to drive (c:) call old windows you can retrive your data and personals from there but the old windows and programs wont work so delete them but i recomed you stay on xp vista is security consious and youll find some programs dont work if you want i have a vista transformation pack makes xp look like vista email me to get it if u want
2007-01-24 15:44:40 · answer #4 · answered by lee e 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Are you upgrading or buying the entire package?
The upgrade will supposedly save your stuff and format everything around it, or at least thats what i've heard. I'd still transfer my data somewhere safe before I do that.
The entire package basically clears everything and starts from scratch.
2007-01-24 15:32:18 · answer #5 · answered by always under siege 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋