Vista Upgrade Editions - Problems ?

[MixManSC]

Not much in the way of info out there on this just yet but what I have have been able to determine so far is not good news. Apparently Vista Upgrade has a significant difference from the old XP Upgrade. With XP you could still do a clean install with an upgrade version by simply providing your disc from the original OS during the install. I will be able to confirm this once my January Action Pack update comes in since the version of Vista with the kit is a Business Edition Upgrade. It seems and I did read this on the MSDN newsgroup in a post from a MS staffer that to use a Vista Upgrade you MUST do so fro the OS to be upgraded. The thread there started because someone tried it by booting from the DVD and when he put in his product key it told him he has to do this by running the DVD from within the existing Windows installation and would not install with the Upgrade version product key. The MS staffer that replied in the thread confirmed and stated that yes - a truly clean install is not possible with an upgrade version key - the operating system to be upgraded MUST be installed AND activated first. I read this earlier and do not have a link on it but there was another thread about this over at Ars (http://episteme.arstechnica.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/99609816/m/425002392831) Sucks in some respects but I see why MS would want to do it this way - prevents someone from simply using a pirated XP disc to get Vista on the cheap. I also wonder if it does something along the lines of permanently de-activating your XP key that you upgraded from.

Also here is an interesting link for other Action Pack subscribers. MS is offering to let you upgrade your 10 Action Pack Vista Business Licenses to Vista Ultimate for $139.00....

http://www.windowsanytimeupgrade.com/maps

[jtzako]

Vista upgrade permanently deactivates XP and even moves its old folder to a new location so it doesnt interfere with the upgrade. Its about as close to a clean install as you could hope for but you dont have to reload apps etc.

However, I havent yet seen anyone who has a copy of an "upgrade" edition in hand to test it.

[GreenGoose]

Thanks for the info. I've read several stories about the upgrade and OEM copies that has made me decide to go ahead and buy the full retail version. It's stupid expensive, but I don't want any headaches.

[MixManSC]

Sucks that if you have a clean drive you will still have to install your old OS and activate it just to be able to install the upgrade. I'm now thinking that Windows 2000 might be a good option since it does not require activation and is a valid OS to upgrade from and is a relatively fast install. I'm also curious if it will be "deactivating" the XP key so it cannot be activated anymore - at least without calling into MS.

[BIGDADDY51]

I also posed the question at the MS forums, What happens if I want to downgrade to the old os, (in my case MCE2005) from a Vista upgrade, and I am awaiting a reply.

[dbwillis]

I doubt MS will let you upgrade 10 Vista Bus Upgrades to 10 Vista Ultimates...maybe 139 each, but all 10 for $139 ?

[bendit]

Not what Microsoft says....

There is a program called "easy transfer" on vista that would be useless for "upgraders" if what you said was true.

The options

You can upgrade from your current edition of Microsoft Windows XP or Windows 2000 to a corresponding or better edition of Windows Vista by purchasing and installing an upgrade copy of Windows Vista. Depending on which edition of Windows you are running and the edition of Windows Vista you would like to install, you have two options for the installation process:
In-place upgrade
You can upgrade in-place, which means you can install Windows Vista and retain your applications, files, and settings as they were in your previous edition of Windows.
Clean install
Upgrading to Windows Vista with a clean install means that you should use Windows Easy Transfer to automatically copy all your files and settings to an extra hard drive or other storage device, and then install Windows Vista. After the installation is complete, Windows Easy Transfer will reload your files and settings on your upgraded PC. You will then need to reinstall your applications.



http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/getready/upgradeinfo.mspx

[mctwin2kman]

I did my Vista Upgrade as a clean install from bootup over XP. In other words it wiped the XP folder out and replaced it with Vista. Mine failed from within XP due to me having RC2 on another drive and it for some damn reason kept failing even though I was going over XP. I finally booted from the DVD and it gave me the option to do the clean install.

[bendit]

There is an enourmous amount of MAL-information floating around vista, AKA FUD, because linux heads and mac heads are going around planting this stuff on comment threads on blogs and places like Amazon, and in forums, in some lame attempt to discredit and disrupt the launch of Vista. Why? I have no idea. Its just more of their insane hatred for msft that emerges at key moments, like this launch.

[Tutelary]

There is an enourmous amount of MAL-information floating around vista, AKA FUD, because linux heads and mac heads are going around planting this stuff on comment threads on blogs and places like Amazon, and in forums, in some lame attempt to discredit and disrupt the launch of Vista. Why? I have no idea. Its just more of their insane hatred for msft that emerges at key moments, like this launch.

wow,....that doesn't sound like a crazy ass delusional conspiracy theory or anything. :rolleyes:

[MixManSC]

I'm still not sure - I just read where another guy got his Action Pack disc in and it would not work and then read that retail versions might work without first installing the old OS. Also in a lot of these threads on this, licensing etc, everyone keeps saying "well I've done it so and so way with XP for years and I'll keep doing it the same way".... This is not XP, the installations are different, the licensing is different, its all different. What worked for XP may or may not work in Vista. Time will tell for sure as it will only be a few more days and a LOT of people will be trying every scenario imaginable. I've got a system sitting here waiting with three different hard drives. Only going to connect one at a time and I will personally see how it works with an Action Pack Upgrade Disc for Vista Business. One drive has a clean loaded Windows 2000 on it, one drive has a clean loaded XP Pro (not yet activated - but can be with the click of a mouse) on it, and one drive is blank.

[BIGDADDY51]

I'm still not sure - I just read where another guy got his Action Pack disc in and it would not work and then read that retail versions might work without first installing the old OS. Also in a lot of these threads on this, licensing etc, everyone keeps saying "well I've done it so and so way with XP for years and I'll keep doing it the same way".... This is not XP, the installations are different, the licensing is different, its all different. What worked for XP may or may not work in Vista. Time will tell for sure as it will only be a few more days and a LOT of people will be trying every scenario imaginable. I've got a system sitting here waiting with three different hard drives. Only going to connect one at a time and I will personally see how it works with an Action Pack Upgrade Disc for Vista Business. One drive has a clean loaded Windows 2000 on it, one drive has a clean loaded XP Pro (not yet activated - but can be with the click of a mouse) on it, and one drive is blank.Please keep us informed of what you find.

[BIGDADDY51]

There is an enourmous amount of MAL-information floating around vista, AKA FUD, because linux heads and mac heads are going around planting this stuff on comment threads on blogs and places like Amazon, and in forums, in some lame attempt to discredit and disrupt the launch of Vista. Why? I have no idea. Its just more of their insane hatred for msft that emerges at key moments, like this launch.
By any chance is your first name Fox?

[MixManSC]

The requirement for the existing OS to be installed first when using an upgrade license has been confirmed. No more simply providing the disc for the OS being upgraded and doing a true "clean hard drive" install of an upgrade version...

You cannot use an upgrade key to perform a clean installation of Windows Vista (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/930985/en-us)

[bendit]

It says you purchased an "upgrade KEY," not license. I am still not convinced. I predict you can do clean installs. But we will know next week in any event.

regards

[BIGDADDY51]

It says you purchased an "upgrade KEY," not license. I am still not convinced. I predict you can do clean installs. But we will know next week in any event.

regards You CAN do a "custom install" which is about as close to a "clean "install as you can get, BUT, the OS u want to upgrade has to be there. Vista moves these files to a seperate file, and then installs a full version. An UPGRADE disc will NOT install without the old OS present.

[bendit]

linkage? I think we just need to wait and see, don't you?

[MixManSC]

linkage? I think we just need to wait and see, don't you?

Link is three posts up but here's the direct link...

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/930985/en-us

[Xaeos]

This annoys me greatly. So I either get an upgrade version and have to install another OS before Vista, or get an OEM System Builder version and not be able to upgrade my hardware very much? I've also gotten used to using my one XP disc with a volume license key (from my school) to install on my desktops and my laptop. No activation no genuine advantage, no BS. Unfortunately, I don't think there's going to be this functionality for Vista Ultimate, is there?

[randsom]

This annoys me greatly. So I either get an upgrade version and have to install another OS before Vista, or get an OEM System Builder version and not be able to upgrade my hardware very much? I've also gotten used to using my one XP disc with a volume license key (from my school) to install on my desktops and my laptop. No activation no genuine advantage, no BS. Unfortunately, I don't think there's going to be this functionality for Vista Ultimate, is there?


i can see why its annoying, but its a anti-piracy thing, I too like the old style upgrade system, where it just asks for a disc for verification, but honestly, how long does it take to install xp, and how often do you do you plan on doing a format.

there is a way around this whole thing. check this thread out. some guy slip steamed a boot sector image into a vista upgrade, it did a full install with out any verification.
http://www.nvnews.net/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=84788

[ScYcS]

If this is the case, i simply boot with my copy of Vista Business and then change DVDs to my OEM Home premium upgrade before the install starts.... :D

[bendit]

That link is not convincing. The retail LICENSE is not even being sold yet so this little blurb is likely about something else that came up in the beta program. Again it refers to a KEY. It does not refer to a a retail upgrade LICENSE. Please notice the precise language being used here and remember that nobody has taken a retail license upgrade from Amazon or BB and tested this. WAIT. We simply don't know until someone tests a retail upgrade license.

regards

[randsom]

That link is not convincing. The retail LICENSE is not even being sold yet so this little blurb is likely about something else that came up in the beta program. Again it refers to a KEY. It does not refer to a a retail upgrade LICENSE. Please notice the precise language being used here and remember that nobody has taken a retail license upgrade from Amazon or BB and tested this. WAIT. We simply don't know until someone tests a retail upgrade license.

regards


good point, and youre coompletly right.For me i have a copy coming fron the moduslink upgrade thing, I'm sure its going to be o.e.m, so for me it seems to be a option.It worked for that guy. so im probably going to give it a shot, and if it doesnt work, im just out a dvd, and a little time.

[BIGDADDY51]

good point, and youre coompletly right.For me i have a copy coming fron the moduslink upgrade thing, I'm sure its going to be o.e.m, so for me it seems to be a option.It worked for that guy. so im probably going to give it a shot, and if it doesnt work, im just out a dvd, and a little time. The copies from the free upgrade are tied to the software that came in the coupon pkg. In otherwords, Vista uses the coa of the pkg software. Don't forget Vistas new security is a little different, as it does automatic validation checks, and then there's the new kill switch, which will lock you out, if it determines that your copy of Vista isn't valid.

[BIGDADDY51]

This annoys me greatly. So I either get an upgrade version and have to install another OS before Vista, or get an OEM System Builder version and not be able to upgrade my hardware very much? I've also gotten used to using my one XP disc with a volume license key (from my school) to install on my desktops and my laptop. No activation no genuine advantage, no BS. Unfortunately, I don't think there's going to be this functionality for Vista Ultimate, is there?Even VLK is going to have to be activated with Vista,but Ryan over at PPCPER ,took a brand new OEM copy of Vista, and moved it to 3 different pc's, and was able to reactivate with a phone call, after the first install. Keep in mind that these were 3 completely different rigs. so, I realy don't think that anybody who does upgrades, will have much of a problem.

[stabilep]

This sounds like it is referring to the Windows Vista Easy Upgrade Coupon program. Which then it makes sense to be ran this way. Until the thing is actually out on Tuesday and in peoples hand there is simply no way to know if the Upgrade Licenses sold in stores will let you continue doing the clean install. Reading MS article on it liek many people pointed out is referring to the keys. I think otherwise its just a crap load of FUD of people jumping to conclusions. Also note the article does not mention ultimate only Business, Home, and Home Premium the only three versions that the easy upgrade program used. I plan on getting Vista as soon as the stores open Tuesday and took the day off to install and play with it :-p I will certainly post here if no one by then has posted my results of the test.

[BIGDADDY51]

http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20070128-8717.html :D

[stabilep]

That article is based on the vague wording of the Microsoft KB article...thus it could still be referring to the Windows Vista Express Upgrade System and not the Upgrade licenses sold retail in the store.

[Motley]

Why purchase an upgrade version, when you can get the FULL OEM version for cheaper?

[kurt454]

Why purchase an upgrade version, when you can get the FULL OEM version for cheaper?

The upgrade version is retail, allowing it to be transfered to a new motherboard when you swap out parts on your PC. The OEM version is, technically locked to the first mobo it is installed to.

[sluzbenik]

We know the upgrade edition requires you to upgrade from within Windows...BUT, here's the question I have not seen answered - when installing the upgrade from XP, can you force Vista to install to a clean hard drive?

I have a beta CD, but I'm not brave enough to click the "install now" thing in the Vista installer to find out what it does next.

If so, problem solved. Or can I at least format my XP drive, and install there without it trying to save applications and registry settings? (in which case you just have to make an image of your XP installation beforehand if you want to use from it later.)

Also - if you use the upgrade edition, does Microsoft deactivate your XP key? in other words, if I still want to boot my XP installation, am I screwed?

I just don't understand why they'd do this. They are begging for user fury with failed upgrades.

[glenlivet17]

I just came upon this thread and this is really frustrating me now. I pre-ordered the Vista Ultimate UPGRADE (Retail) based on the thought that I could install it into my NEW BUILD computer and just throw in my old disc for verification. Can anyone give me a clear answer on if this is possible. I DO NOT want to have to completely install my previous Windows XP just to install Vista.

[Diseaseboy]

We know the upgrade edition requires you to upgrade from within Windows...BUT, here's the question I have not seen answered - when installing the upgrade from XP, can you force Vista to install to a clean hard drive?

I have a beta CD, but I'm not brave enough to click the "install now" thing in the Vista installer to find out what it does next.

If so, problem solved. Or can I at least format my XP drive, and install there without it trying to save applications and registry settings? (in which case you just have to make an image of your XP installation beforehand if you want to use from it later.)

Also - if you use the upgrade edition, does Microsoft deactivate your XP key? in other words, if I still want to boot my XP installation, am I screwed?

I just don't understand why they'd do this. They are begging for user fury with failed upgrades.


I was under the impression you can do a dual boot install with the upgrade version- so you could do a clean install of Vista on another partition or hard driver and dual boot with XP. I would then assume you could amend the boot.ini file and just boot into Vista. Is this correct?

[MixManSC]

I just came upon this thread and this is really frustrating me now. I pre-ordered the Vista Ultimate UPGRADE (Retail) based on the thought that I could install it into my NEW BUILD computer and just throw in my old disc for verification. Can anyone give me a clear answer on if this is possible. I DO NOT want to have to completely install my previous Windows XP just to install Vista.

Based on currently available information, no. You will have to have either a fully activated installation of XP already installed or Windows 2000 already installed before the upgrade version of Vista will install.

[tronmaster]

I can't believe how confusing Microsoft can let Vista be, besides the several different versions of Vista. Now we won't know if we can do a clean install from an Upgrade? Once again, confusion reigns.

Luckily, I live in Hawaii, so I will know early (our time) if I need an Upgrade or a Full version. Good luck to those that are planning to buy the Upgrade version. Please let us know of your results in how you installed Vista.

[ir0nw0lf]

I can't believe how confusing Microsoft can let Vista be, besides the several different versions of Vista. Now we won't know if we can do a clean install from an Upgrade? Once again, confusion reigns.

Luckily, I live in Hawaii, so I will know early (our time) if I need an Upgrade or a Full version. Good luck to those that are planning to buy the Upgrade version. Please let us know of your results in how you installed Vista.

"Clean install" is the operative phrase here -- there are multiple ways to interpret that, ie. booting off the Vista disc itself to do a clean-boot install, or doing a clean install by installing Vista from inside the existing OS and installing Vista to another partition/drive. What has been shown over the weekend via various sites is that the first way is no longer valid:

* If you have a retail boxed Upgrade of Vista, you cannot do a boot from the Vista disc itself and install it on a hard drive. No more of the boot from the XP upgrade disc, insert previous OS disc, verify files, reinstall XP upgrade disc, install XP as a full version. You have to have an existing OS installed and in the case of XP, activated and/or WGA checked. You drop your Vista Upgrade disc in from inside the existing OS and you can tell it to do an inplace install over your XP or install the Vista onto a new partition or drive, all to itself with no Windows XP "dingleberries" hanging around in the new Vista partition/drive.

[kelbear]

I remember 15-minute install claims. Heh, now it's even longer than XP.

[griffinhart]

I just came upon this thread and this is really frustrating me now. I pre-ordered the Vista Ultimate UPGRADE (Retail) based on the thought that I could install it into my NEW BUILD computer and just throw in my old disc for verification. Can anyone give me a clear answer on if this is possible. I DO NOT want to have to completely install my previous Windows XP just to install Vista.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/930985/en-us

Note the Applies to section. This only applies to Vista Home and starter editions. You can do a fresh install with the Ultimate Upgrade edtion.

If it gives you any problems you can leave the CD-Key blank during install and then enter the key once Vista has installed.

[Diseaseboy]

So it looks like you can boot and do a clean install from an Ultimate upgrade dvd?

[TerraPhantm]

Would I be able to install Windows 2k onto a spare harddrive, throw in the Vista upgrade disc, and tell it to install to a blank harddrive?

[griffinhart]

So it looks like you can boot and do a clean install from an Ultimate upgrade dvd?

That is my understanding, yes.

[glenlivet17]

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/930985/en-us

Note the Applies to section. This only applies to Vista Home and starter editions. You can do a fresh install with the Ultimate Upgrade edtion.

If it gives you any problems you can leave the CD-Key blank during install and then enter the key once Vista has installed.

So you think this means that I can do it with the Upgrade. I just canceled my Upgrade edition order and went with the full based on this article: No More Clean Installs Using Upgrade Disks With Windows Vista (http://www.dailytech.com/No+More+Clean+Installs+Using+Upgrade+Discs+With+Windows+Vist a/article5887.htm)

Do you have any concrete information that should make me believe otherwise?

[BIGDADDY51]

We know the upgrade edition requires you to upgrade from within Windows...BUT, here's the question I have not seen answered - when installing the upgrade from XP, can you force Vista to install to a clean hard drive?

I have a beta CD, but I'm not brave enough to click the "install now" thing in the Vista installer to find out what it does next.

If so, problem solved. Or can I at least format my XP drive, and install there without it trying to save applications and registry settings? (in which case you just have to make an image of your XP installation beforehand if you want to use from it later.)

Also - if you use the upgrade edition, does Microsoft deactivate your XP key? in other words, if I still want to boot my XP installation, am I screwed?

I just don't understand why they'd do this. They are begging for user fury with failed upgrades.
The beta cd is a little different, as it contains a full version of Vista, and will install to a empty drive just fine. In the event of choosing upgrade, it will try to upgrade your existing OS. In trying the upgrade option on a bare copy of XP, it succeeded in upgrading that. Once you choose that option, there is no recovering XP, so make an image or be prepared to reinstall it. The answer to the upgrade question is No, you can't keep XP on 1 drive and Vista on another, because Vista is an UPGRADE, and uses the existing XP key as part of that upgrade.. If you want to dual boot, you need to buy a full version of Vista.

[griffinhart]

So you think this means that I can do it with the Upgrade. I just canceled my Upgrade edition order and went with the full based on this article: No More Clean Installs Using Upgrade Disks With Windows Vista (http://www.dailytech.com/No+More+Clean+Installs+Using+Upgrade+Discs+With+Windows+Vist a/article5887.htm)

Do you have any concrete information that should make me believe otherwise?

Concrete proof that I can, no. But I have yet to see a tech-note that contradicts the information directly.

I'm purchasing the Upgrade version of Ultimate, so I'll know either way in a couple of days.

[sluzbenik]

Wow, that's mondo-irritating.

You might still be able to do it if you image XP first - but is Microsoft going to shut down your XP key if you've used it for activating a Vista upgrade, thus nullifying that option, that's what we don't know yet...

If you can't do that, Vista is definitely out for me. No way would I buy a Vista upgrade this early without being able to dual-boot into my old XP system...The prices on full versions are just too prohibitive and I bought my copy of XP for this system less than six months ago.

It's a restrictive, greedy policy. It's purely a way to squeeze out extra profit from people and organizations who need/want to dual-boot. And that's not just enthusiasts, I'm sure IT departments with new equipment would like to try Vista out for longer than the 30-day "trial" period on a bunch of machines before they switch permanently.

[TerraPhantm]

I wonder how VLK licenses will be effected, if MS does intend to disable the keys permanently. Because I don't plan on upgrading every single machine using the VLK serial I have to Vista.

[orion23]

Someone who can or will test the upgrade version of ultimate retail needs to report back here with the answer......

I also have an Ultimate Upgrade coming soon and NEED to do a clean installation!

[Spartan611]

I just have a quick question about the Vista Ultimate Upgrade Edition. Is the one that I buy in stores the 64 bit version or the 32 bit version? I couldn't figure it out. Thanks.

[mETRo]

I just have a quick question about the Vista Ultimate Upgrade Edition. Is the one that I buy in stores the 64 bit version or the 32 bit version? I couldn't figure it out. Thanks.

All retail versions of Vista Ultimate come with both the 32 and 64 bit media. If you buy anything less than Ultimate, you have to buy either 32 or 64.

[BIGDADDY51]

I wonder how VLK licenses will be effected, if MS does intend to disable the keys permanently. Because I don't plan on upgrading every single machine using the VLK serial I have to Vista.
Word has it that VLK copies of Vista will have to be activated now.too. Thats right from Vista system builders website. Trying to upgrade a VLK copy of XP may not work because XP VLK didn't have to be activated.

[glenlivet17]

Can anybody confirm the if the Upgrade version allows for a boot able clean install yet?

[riverwater]

Can anybody confirm the if the Upgrade version allows for a boot able clean install yet?

I am waiting for this answer too, can Ultimate upgrade version does a clean install or not? I have test vista RC2 on my PC now, don't want to reinstall back to XP to use the upgrade version of Vista DVD.

What a idiot, M$!!

[Diseaseboy]

Can you at least dual boot with an upgrade version?

[BLUEFISH44]

I appologize a thousand times over if this has been answered allready but as i understand it the vista ult. upgrade req's a activated copy of xp to install, no problem. so from windows xp i start the clean installation of vista, no problem. i have been reading that once this is done your cd key is done and gone/deactivated so how are we going to reinstall vista if we can never reactivate xp?

[morpheus9394]

I got this info off another forum and thought it might help anyone who purchased an upgrade version of Vista.

If you have the Upgrade versions of Vista you are supposed to do a full XP install, then install vista over the top.

Most of us dislike these types of dirty installs, instead prefering to do an install to a clean drive or partition.

Here is a workaround:

1. Boot with the Windows Vista Upgrade DVD.
2. Click "Install Now."
3. Do not enter a Product Key When prompted.
4. When prompted, select the Vista product edition that you do have.
6. Install Vista normally.
7. Once the install is complete, restart the DVD-based Setup from
within Windows Vista. Perform an in-place upgrade.
8. Enter your Product Key when prompted.

Hope this helps!

[kring]

I got this info off another forum and thought it might help anyone who purchased an upgrade version of Vista.

If you have the Upgrade versions of Vista you are supposed to do a full XP install, then install vista over the top.

Most of us dislike these types of dirty installs, instead prefering to do an install to a clean drive or partition.

Here is a workaround:

1. Boot with the Windows Vista Upgrade DVD.
2. Click "Install Now."
3. Do not enter a Product Key When prompted.
4. When prompted, select the Vista product edition that you do have.
6. Install Vista normally.
7. Once the install is complete, restart the DVD-based Setup from
within Windows Vista. Perform an in-place upgrade.
8. Enter your Product Key when prompted.

Hope this helps!

That's a crazy hack, they must have needed the source code for that!! [sarcasm]. Did MS really think that this was a good idea, that it would have prevented piracy, or buy them a few years before someone figured out a workaround? and to have such a joke of a work around [if confirmed] is truly funny.

Anyone confirm?

[morpheus9394]

I won't be getting my Vista till Thursday but once I do I will give it a try and let you know the results.

[griffinhart]

I have my Ultimate Upgrade Media now. I'll be trying out the "clean" install when I get home from work tonight.

I did upgrade one PC already, but I installed it from XP. Still testing things out...

When installing from within XP there are two install options:

In Place: Which keeps all your old settings and software.

Custom: Which is actually a clean install that will wipe your existing windows install.

What is not clear quite yet is if I can take a PC with no OS and install Vista Ultimate Upgrade from DVD. I will be investigating that tonight.

[Filter]

well i installed vista with teh bill gates sig series (upgrade version) and did a clean install to my harddrive formatted it and all. so i dont know how it knew i had a previous version of xp on it. and yes im activated.

[kring]

well i installed vista with teh bill gates sig series (upgrade version) and did a clean install to my harddrive formatted it and all. so i dont know how it knew i had a previous version of xp on it. and yes im activated.

Can you clarify... you formated the HDD then installed the upgrade... or you did a clean install which formatted your HDD?

[Filter]

i booted from the cd.

formatted the drive using the tool provided. (like the one xp has) where you can create partions and such and installed.

[kring]

i booted from the cd.

formatted the drive using the tool provided. (like the one xp has) where you can create partions and such and installed.

Did the Hard drive have XP on it when you put the dvd into the drive?

[Filter]

Did the Hard drive have XP on it when you put the dvd into the drive?

yes. this is where the upgrade checks. casue i need to repair my system and i think i need to reload xp then put the upgrade on.

[riverwater]

yes. this is where the upgrade checks. casue i need to repair my system and i think i need to reload xp then put the upgrade on.

So after checking the valid of your XP, it will reboot from DVD, and let you choose format the drive and do a clean install?

[coachjohn]

....then the Ultimate upgrade DVD DOES behave differently than the various Home versions...he seemed to have booted from the DVD to procede with the install from the upgrade version instead of having to start from within Windows. It will be interesting to see if this can be verified by others as well.

[Filter]

....then the Ultimate upgrade DVD DOES behave differently than the various Home versions...he seemed to have booted from the DVD to procede with the install from the upgrade version instead of having to start from within Windows. It will be interesting to see if this can be verified by others as well.


keep in mind this was with teh 64 bit version one which cant be ran with in windows xp.

[BIGDADDY51]

keep in mind this was with teh 64 bit version one which cant be ran with in windows xp.
That's why. The 64 bit version will do a complete install from the upgrade disc. ANY 64bit version will.

[Xaeos]

Can someone confirm that Ultimate - Upgrade - 32 or 64 bit will install from a clean drive? I was under the impression that the Upgrade versions (and retail versions) came with 32 and 64 bit on the same disc, but the OEM version didn't.

Therefore, if x64 Ultimate Upgrade is bootable, then x86 Upgrade Ultimate should be too?

[BIGDADDY51]

Can someone confirm that Ultimate - Upgrade - 32 or 64 bit will install from a clean drive? I was under the impression that the Upgrade versions (and retail versions) came with 32 and 64 bit on the same disc, but the OEM version didn't.

Therefore, if x64 Ultimate Upgrade is bootable, then x86 Upgrade Ultimate should be too?32 and 64 bit are NOT on the same disc.but only Ultimate has both versions in the box.

[SleeplessIncubus]

32 and 64 bit are NOT on the same disc.but only Ultimate has both versions in the box.

so if you buy the ultimate upgrade you get both versions in the box...then by using the x64 upgrade disc you can do a clean install....if you use the x86 version then it has to be done over XP.....is that correct?

[BIGDADDY51]

so if you buy the ultimate upgrade you get both versions in the box...then by using the x64 upgrade disc you can do a clean install....if you use the x86 version then it has to be done over XP.....is that correct?Not 100% sure about the 32 bit OS,, but most likely the 32 bit version will require the old os, in fact, a poster over at PCPER called MS, and they confirmed that the Ultimate 32 bit disc required the old OS. The 64 bit WILL do a clean install mainly because it isn't compatible with 32 bit XP

[SleeplessIncubus]

Not 100% sure about the 32 bit OS,, but most likely the 32 bit version will require the old os, in fact, a poster over at PCPER called MS, and they confirmed that the Ultimate 32 bit disc required the old OS. The 64 bit WILL do a clean install mainly because it isn't compatible with 32 bit XP

very interesting....now that changes my plans. I was just going to go with the Full retail Home Premium but now I think I'll go with the Ultimate upgrade. Do a nice clean install and try out the x64 version and if I dont have any problems keep it running. If I do have problems then I'll just install the x86 version over my OEM XP Pro. that will work, right?

[orion23]

NO CLEAN INSTALL WITH THE 32-BIT DISC,

Tried it and failed.

The work around does work though. I had to install Vista 2 X. First time without a KEY, as a full version. Second time as an in-place upgrade using my key.

What a pain.

Anyway..


Loaded Vista, installed a few things here and there, got bored, frustrated and went back to XP. Tomorrow I'll format again and start from scratch (Got to do a major Re-partition os 2 drives)

[nervebreaker]

I just did the Action pack install and the hard drive previously had Linux on it and was able to install it doing the 2X install w/o product key on first pass.

So now my question is, the key I got for Vista supposedly works for 10 computers. Now when I got XP Pro in Action pack it gave me 5 keys to use twice. (I've actually (really) misplaced the card because I wanted to keep it in a safe place where I haven't seen it for over a year or two).
So since I did the install without XP at all, can I now just install vista business on up to 10 machines and not worry about ever finding my XP keys since it seems I don't need them anymore?
And then what if I do the upgrade to Ultimate edition. Somewhere I read it was $139 per upgrade so times 10 for all machines if used. If it's a MAPS-NA key then maybe it should work on 10 machines also. So far the site for MAPS-NA upgrades points to the regular windowsupgradeanytime.com site which is different thatn where it pointed (i.e. nowhere) prior to Jan 30th. Is it safe to use that site and expect the key will work in multiple machines? Anyone try it yet?

[sluzbenik]

So if you use that workaround, at no point does Microsoft demand your XP key?

If so, cool, the XP key stays good.

[The Cobra]

Someone who can or will test the upgrade version of ultimate retail needs to report back here with the answer......

I also have an Ultimate Upgrade coming soon and NEED to do a clean installation!

As far as the VLK customers go. At my company, you either have to have a VLS Service installed that will run the licenses, or you can request a VLK and it will give you 100 activations (You can request more, the cost will go towards your agreement). After you have activated the 100 licenses, then your key is finished.

Hope that helps.

[BIGDADDY51]

NO CLEAN INSTALL WITH THE 32-BIT DISC,

Tried it and failed.

The work around does work though. I had to install Vista 2 X. First time without a KEY, as a full version. Second time as an in-place upgrade using my key.

What a pain.

Anyway..


Loaded Vista, installed a few things here and there, got bored, frustrated and went back to XP. Tomorrow I'll format again and start from scratch (Got to do a major Re-partition os 2 drives)Keep in mind that Vista phones home to check validation and at that point you might encounter "reduced functionality" if the key doesn't revalidate That will remain to be seen.

[greggerm]

Agreed - I too tried the 32-bit Ultimate Upgrade on a completely bare system, and it denied me. (as expected)

I placed my baseline XP build back on the system again, and did a "Custom/Clean" install of Vista. To my surprise, this method actually does produce a very clean install. While not a scientific test, the OLD contents of my "Program Files" directory as well as "Windows" directory were all entirely moved out and placed in the "Windows.Old" location. (I dropped in some TXT files to mark the old folders, and they were all moved out)

The new Program Files and Windows directories were Vista only, with no noticable legacy information or data. The system performs snappy - like a fully clean installation, and after all the reboots and installation is done, there is no indication of XP being a second operating system. It cleans up nicely.

My recommendation: If the double-install methods fail due to some validation effects down the road, give yourself a very clean baseline XP installation, take a snapshot (Ghost, Acronis), and use that as your launching point. I was a firm believer that this was not a good way to do it until I tried it myself. Of course, once you've installed Vista, take ANOTHER snapshot, and you've got a baseline Vista install for any future reinstalls you may need to do (on your existing computer).

-Greg

[Punchey]

The question remains though: Can you do a dual-boot installation with the Vista *Ultimate* Upgrade DVD? And as for a "clean install", why isn't Ultimate listed in the "Applies To" list on the MS KB article if it also suffers from the same limitation?

[coachjohn]

...even in the little Quick Start book that comes with Windows Ultimate Upgrade, it lists, step-by-step, for those who "don't want to keep your existing files, settings, and programs" how to do a clean install BY booting from the DVD and then inserting your installation CD when prompted (pg. 5). It's almost like they changed their mind at the last minute - or at least after the quick start guides went to press. I've done a clean install the MS way...and I have to admit, it seems very clean!...may try it with the workaround when I get home tonight to see if there is any noticeable difference.

[Punchey]

If someone has the opportunity, it would also be great to know if the Ultimate Upgrade can do a dual boot with your old XP.

[orion23]

You can have a dual boot if you use 2 different drives or partitions and if you choose to use the 2X installation of vista for a "clean" install.

That's what I did and for now have my old MCE 2005 and Vista Ultimate Upgrade (2X custom installation)

XP Will be gone once I move all of my files to the new operating system....