Shootout: Upgrade vs. Clean Installation Installing and Upgrading Vista Discuss Shootout: Upgrade vs. Clean Installation in the Windows Vista forums; . Vista performance Shootout: http://extremetech.com/article2/0,1697,2089952,00.asp ....

[y eye]

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Vista performance Shootout:
http://extremetech.com/article2/0,1697,2089952,00.asp
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[Znod]

Great read. Thanks for posting. They arrived at the same conclusion I, in effect, did long ago. Here is my contribution to the topic: http://thevistaforums.com/index.php?...343&hl=upgrade

[Snuffy]

Yes, you can do a CLEAN install with a UPGRADE version...
Microsoft knows and said Oh, well it does happen..
http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase...rade_clean.asp
very easy to do... and its legal...install with NO KEY, then use for a day or 27 then when needed, upgrade and use your "KEY" ...
I think this even works for the UK version....

[y eye]

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http://www.extremetech.com/article2/...2091592,00.asp
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[iMatt]

So if one upgrades from XP Pro to Vista Business, does this overwrite XP or will it scrub all traces of XP, reformat and install Vista??

[y eye]

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I have purchased Microsoft Windows XP Professional OEM W/Vista Upgrade Coupon. It was delivered to me as one cd, one quickstart guide for XP, and three coupons for Vista upgrade.
I am into a build and have not installed the XP.
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There seems to be a number of "Upgrade Options". It would be helpful if there was one area to place the data that is available. Until then maybe you could review Snuffy's post and the Extremetech articles posted above.
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Which upgrade are you considering?
.y

[Snuffy]

The upgrade should move all XP setting,(Vista retained almost all my settings) and become "Vista Business" and then invalidate your XP license - Product Number-KEY. (edited) If you move all your EMails to a different partition under maintenance then reset Vista Email to the same partition, and install Live Email. it will find all the emails and you will loose none (anyway I lost none), and OE imported all my contacts with no problem. Read the EULA part 13 tells of invalidation of XP key.

13. UPGRADES. To use upgrade software, you must first be licensed for the software that is eligible
for the upgrade. Upon upgrade, this agreement takes the place of the agreement for the software
you upgraded from. After you upgrade, you may no longer use the software you upgraded from.

to Y EYE

and three coupons for Vista upgrade.

I'd go for the Ultimate version if you can afford it.

[Znod]

Originally Posted by iMatt

So if one upgrades from XP Pro to Vista Business, does this overwrite XP or will it scrub all traces of XP, reformat and install Vista??

If you behave consistently with the Vista EULA, then you can use any installation alternative you want, doing either type of clean install or upgrading. Doing so will invalidate your XP activation key. Others note a work around that allows one to install without deactivating one's XP key. I believe this approach to be a EULA breaker, but do not object to its advocation. My rationalization is that, to date, MS and not informed upgraders about what they are supposed to do in the event of needing to, or simply wanting to, reinstall Vista cleanly without without having a working XP key/installation.

[jerrybasham]

You guys lost me.. .. I got an error message when
I attempted to install Vista Basic on a new hard drive (I was
prepared to provide my XP key from the CD package) saying
I had to install "from within XP" or some such wording.

Am I to take it that a clean install of Vista is only available to
"Pro" buyers (or premium or whatever it is)?

-- Jerry

[felix8406]

If you bought an upgrade Vista DVD, it requires that you have Win XP installed and activated (registered). However, if you bought a retail copy, you should be able to do a clean install regardless of which edition you bought.