Windows Vista Ultimate install

GGINS SG

Hello guys i need help installing Vista Ultimate on a DIY com. i am recycling a hard drive and it has xp home edition sp3 on it. is there a way to upgrade it from xp sp3 to vista ultimate without losing all the data on the drive? Also, if i dont upgrade, can i still use it with the diy com(like just plug it into the socket and power cables) with all my data and stuff on it?

Com specs:

Core 2 duo E6500

Biostar G41 M7

2GB DDR2

Integrated X4500

HDD: 120GB

Raraken SG

Com specs:

Core 2 duo E6500

Biostar G41 M7

2GB DDR2

Integrated X4500

HDD: 120GB

If the install is an OEM copy, nope. But if it isn't, and is a full retail copy, then you can re-register the serial key again. Ensure that you have a FULL CLEAN of any old drivers in the system. Uninstall any old drivers, and then reinstall the drivers for mobo.

Also, XP Home DOES NOT ALLOW for upgrade to Vista Ultimate. Only XP Pro does. A full, clean install is required.

GGINS SG

hmmm so i need to get rid of every single old(how old is old?) driver on that HDD? Does this include even the processor driver? if so after removing the drivers will it be able to install vista ultimate on it? wad sequence should i start with, the graphics driver first? And after removal of all the drivers i'll have to install the mobo driver before Vista? Thanks a lot...........

GGINS SG

Btw will i be able to do a clean install of vista if i just delete everything in the HDD?

Raraken SG

Btw will i be able to do a clean install of vista if i just delete everything in the HDD?

Clean install DOES mean formatting the whole drive before installing Windows. You can use it as is, with XP, but you have to remove all old drivers before installing new ones. By old I mean irrelevant.

GGINS SG

oh okay... if i remove all my outdated drivers will the com still be able to run for a while till i install the new ones?

Raraken SG

oh okay... if i remove all my outdated drivers will the com still be able to run for a while till i install the new ones?

It will suck, seriously. Graphics lag, pixellated things. Besides, installing new drivers wouldn't take that long.

kenn3th SG

Backup all the files that you want to an ext Hard disk or to a old/newly created partition on your existing hard disk.

Ensure that you select the right partition to format while doing the installation and you should do fine.

After the clean installation, access your other partition and xfer the files if you like.

My advise to you is to dl all Vista drivers first, and place them aside. So once you installed Windows vista, all you have to do is to just install all the setup.exe one by one.

Also prevents you from getting confused which driver should you dl.