UPGRADE QUESTION: Do you have to have a version of Windows installed in order to install the Vista

[JMI]

Do you have to have a version of Windows installed on you PC in order to
install the Vista upgrade? I recall with Windows XP's upgrade install all
you had to do was insert the install disc from a previous version during
it's install (Windows 98, ME, 2000). That was enough to supply proof that
you owned a previous version of Windows.

Has that changed with Vista?

Thanks,

Jeff

 

[JimR]

Do you have to have a version of Windows installed on you PC in order to
install the Vista upgrade? I recall with Windows XP's upgrade install all
you had to do was insert the install disc from a previous version during
it's install (Windows 98, ME, 2000). That was enough to supply proof that
you owned a previous version of Windows.

Has that changed with Vista?

Thanks,

Jeff

With Vista the operating system you are upgrading from must be installed,
you can't just insert the cd to verify. However there are workarounds that
can be found online.

 

[BobS]

http://www.dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=5932

Bob S.

 

[Rock]

Do you have to have a version of Windows installed on you PC in order to
install the Vista upgrade? I recall with Windows XP's upgrade install all
you had to do was insert the install disc from a previous version during
it's install (Windows 98, ME, 2000). That was enough to supply proof that
you owned a previous version of Windows.

Vista does not do a shiny media check, the qualifying OS needs to be
installed, and for XP it needs to be activated, genuine and for a in place
upgrade, at the SP2 level. There is a published work around to allow a
custom install with an upgrade version without having the qualifying OS
installed. Use it at your own risk. An upgrade version should not be used
if you don't own a qualifying version.

See this link for info on upgrade paths:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/buyorupgrade/upgradepaths.mspx