Full Install

I installed RC2 from XP, so XP is no longer on my PC. As I understand
things, I would have to re-install XP on my PC so thatI could purchase an
upgrade VISTA. However, if I do not want to re-install XP, then my only
choice is to purchase the full VISTA. So, if I install the full product,
does it wipe out all the other programs I already have installed on my PC?

Not neccessarily.

Please note that "upgrade edition" and "upgrade option" are different terms.
You may use the upgrade option using a full edition of Vista Ultimate rtm as
long as the platform is the same (x86 to x86 or x64 to x64).

You can preserve your files, settings, and apps by using the upgrade option
in Vista Ultimate full edition by running Setup from the RC2 desktop.
Since RC2 is an Ultimate edition, you must purchase a Vista Ultimate rtm
edition. If you purchase any other edition the upgrade option will be
disabled and you will only be able to do a custom install. That will
require you to install your apps from scratch. You can, however, use the
Windows Easy Transfer wizard to save your files and settings from RC2 and
restore them to rtm.

"gbalonek" <gbalonek@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:B85CA3E6-C709-45EB-B2A8-BCCDB5215001@microsoft.com...
>I installed RC2 from XP, so XP is no longer on my PC. As I understand
> things, I would have to re-install XP on my PC so thatI could purchase an
> upgrade VISTA. However, if I do not want to re-install XP, then my only
> choice is to purchase the full VISTA. So, if I install the full product,
> does it wipe out all the other programs I already have installed on my PC?