Thanks Ed. I really didn't want to "upgrade" because I don't want any of the
pre-installed Dell configuration and software. I want as "clean" as possible
installation of Vista. That link wasn't extremely clear in that regard.
Can I leave the XP on it as it came OEM and upgrade but during the update,
wipe out the XP partition once it identifies XP and install Vista cleanly?
I am thinking to get Virtual PC out and test different upgrade scenarios and
just see for myself how this all works. I don't understand how a "clean"
installed is considered "clean" if you have to have a previous Windows
installed. That in my mind, is an in-place upgrade which I want to avoid. I
don't care about the Transfer thing as this is a new computer and there is
nothing for me to keep or transfer per say, so that should be optional,
right?
I wonder why Dell and others aren't offering Vista version on all brand new
computers yet? Dell offers it on their Dimension models, but yeck!
--
Rick Faria - MCSE / A+
RDF Technical Services -
www.rdfts.com
Email: support at rdfts dot com
"Ed Stoddard" <EdStoddard@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:C5335BAB-31B2-4746-9873-7DFDB4AF9DDE@microsoft.com...
>
>
> "Rick F" wrote:
>
>> I just ordered a new Dell Optiplex GX745 that is Vista Capable but I was
>> not
>> able to get it with Vista pre-installed, so got XP. I have the Vista
>> Business upgrade DVD and even TechNet Vista CD set.
>>
>> My plan is with the new Dell, to wipe it out as soon as I unpack it and
>> complete a clean install of Vista. In all the previous versions of
>> Windows
>> you could use an Upgrade Version but during the install it would ask you
>> to
>> insert your previous Windows version if it couldn't find the installation
>> on
>> the hard drive. Once it verified, the installation would go off without a
>> hitch.
>>
>> Is this same behavior for upgrades excepted for Vista? If not, what are
>> people doing then? Or what is the recommended approach?
>>
>> --
>> Rick Faria - MCSE / A+
>> RDF Technical Services - www.rdfts.com
>> Email: support at rdfts dot com
>>
>>
>>
>>
> Rick,
>
> I'm a lay person but my understanding is you can do a clean install of
> Vista
> but you need WinXP on your computer first to do so. I know Vista Ultimate
> (what I have) will give you the option as you start the process but you
> will
> have to have a means for backing up your important settings to an external
> hard disk or other media using the Windows Easy Transfer utility first.
> Vista will not check for an old version of Windows as WinXP would do - so
> do
> not remove WinXP. You will just have to reinstall it.
>
> Go to this link for more info:
> http://www.microsoft.com/windows/pro...radepaths.mspx
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