Install Vista upgrade or not? Installing and Upgrading Vista Discuss Install Vista upgrade or not? in the Windows Vista forums; I am new to this forum and it appears to have great information about Vista. I bought an HP laptop in January with XP Media Center (Vista capable) and just ...

[palms911]

I am new to this forum and it appears to have great information about Vista.

I bought an HP laptop in January with XP Media Center (Vista capable) and just received the free Vista Home Premium upgrade. The upgrade came with an HP disk of drivers and such.

After reading many horror stories about the Vista upgrade I am wondering what the consensus is -- upgrade now or wait until the dust settles? XP is running well, but I am naturally curious about the new OS and would like to see it in action.

Just wondering how the upgrade has gone for those of you in a similar situation. Thanks.

[Znod]

Welcome palms. If you new computer can do a credible job of runnng Vista, then I definitely would upgrade. You can check out its capability in this context here http://www.microsoft.com/windows/pro...a&mg_id=20029b and here http://www.microsoft.com/windows/pro...uirements.mspx. Be aware that your HP may have some sort of restore partition--which is unlikely to be functional after upgrading to Vista. Also, be aware that if you ugrade XP, then you are not supposed to use the program again no matter how you install the upgrade (i.e., some ways technically will not invalidate your XP product key).

[palms911]

Thanks for the info, Znod. The laptop seems to have all the requirements, including 1gb of ram. I'll check out those links you offered to make sure.

I'm leaning toward going ahead with the upgrade, but I was wondering -- with the HP recovery partition gone, what are the options if one wanted (or needed) to re-format the hard drive? Could the upgrade disk be used again for a clean install as described in other areas of the forum?

[crabby]

As the upgrade just overwrites your XP partition your recovery partition should actually be fine - as long as you have created your recovery media. Also, in my PERSONAL opinion... you now own Vista or XP as of right from the purchase of your PC (you own a certificate of authenticity etc) so ANY way you install these products is fine by me! And you would never be brought up on it by Microsoft.

With regards to doing the upgrade or not... Vista = XP but with greater stuff! And as HP is an official partner of Vista, you should have no issues with drivers or compatability

crabby

[Snuffy]

Only thing I see also is the question on Re-Format.

I'm leaning toward going ahead with the upgrade, but I was wondering -- with the HP recovery partition gone, what are the options if one wanted (or needed) to re-format the hard drive? Could the upgrade disk be used again for a clean install as described in other areas of the forum?

. The HP recovery partition will not be GONE unless you FORMAT..The Upgrade Disk can also be use to CLEAN install...1. Boot to Disk, FORMAT your HD.. then install.. USE NO KEY.
that allows Clean Install..(that should be in your manual- it is in my Manual.) then once your booted and all is working... then insert the Disk again... and upgrade will be active... use the KEY (if needed) it should be.. and then Upgrade and activate... all legal and up to SNUFF(y). Like others stated you should have no driver problem(s) since HP is a MS Partner.. Last week I upgraded a EMachine and left the original restore partition active..No it would not recovery the Vista install... So I removed it for the customer...(just wanted to test and see). This was an EMachine, so only sure on it...

[Znod]

You are welcome palms. The issue I raised is whether the recovery partition still will function after upgrading. I did not suggest formatting. palms, maybe you should check with HP on the recovery partition issue. And, regardless of whether MS will challenge anything you do, using your XP again after upgrading violates the EULA. There are ways to format and reinstall without using XP, but, regardless, MS probably would let you use XP again to reinstall Vista. In this regard, a call should do the trick.

[palms911]

Thanks everyone. I am moving ahead with the upgrade. And if there are issues I know where to come. Also, if I ever need to start over it sounds like there are ways to do that and do it legally.

[ewan_mclean]

I would not advise an upgrade. I have heard a lot of people telling me story's that their files have been going corrupt after the upgrade. You are better just to complelty back up your system, format your HDD and do a clean install. A clean install is also a lot quicker, it only takes 15-20 minutes compared to the hour it took when I installed RC 1.

It is worth it in the long haul

[Snuffy]

I have upgraded several system... 2 very marginal.system.. NO PROBLEMS, and one system that Business recommended OK No Problem, the only system I had problems with was a Vista Ultmate Ready, and the BIOS was set to overclock the MEMEORY (I did not know)... installation was A OK, but until I found the BIOs setting to remove MEMORY OC'd, has several problems... MEMORY OC'd removed and NOW all is OK... FLash Memory to assist... avg shut down is 26s with flash, 42s w/o flash..... boot w/flash is avg 1m6s and w/o flash is 2m...
The main thing I recommend for UPGRADing... is remove every program that is not Vista compatible...have a floppy ready with SCSI drivers, and Modem drivers...

Happy Upgrading or Clean Install your choice ....

Info the Memory is Crucial Brand.. and not running as Crucial specified and
we are in the process of ARGUING..they sold with specs and the memory will not run at those specs... Money wasted for Over priced over rated Memory sticks..

[Znod]

Originally Posted by ewan_mclean

I would not advise an upgrade. I have heard a lot of people telling me story's that their files have been going corrupt after the upgrade. You are better just to complelty back up your system, format your HDD and do a clean install. A clean install is also a lot quicker, it only takes 15-20 minutes compared to the hour it took when I installed RC 1.

It is worth it in the long haul

I have done almost countless updates. Updating is absolutely fine. He should have no problems.