Upgrading to vista 64 bit

[Mr Bennett]

According to the vista pages on the microsoft site, you cannot "upgrade" from
a 32bit XP to a 64bit vista, and must do a clean install, but it is ambiguous
as to what upgrade means. Does this mean that an original install version
(much more expensive) must be purchased, or can the upgrade version be used
on a clean hard drive as long as the XP key or whatever is put in to make it
recognize that you are upgrading?

 

[Mark H]

It is my understanding (I'm sure someone will be happy to correct me) that
the x64 upgrade (like the x86 upgrade) must be started from within the
current operating system. Vista x64 uses a 64-bit installer. Because of
this, you cannot start the upgrade process from within a 32-bit OS.

That said, going from 32-bit to 64-bit is more commonly refered to as
"migration." It requires a clean install

A clean install can be performed with an upgrade labeled disk of either
bit-ness. Instructions are just about everywhere the word Vista appears.
(The product key, not the disk determines if it is an upgrade.) This upgrade
"clean install" receives promises and threats that _someday_, _someone_ will
catch you and invalidate your activation. So procede at your own risk to
keep those extra dollars.

 

[Tom Lake]

According to the vista pages on the microsoft site, you cannot "upgrade" from
a 32bit XP to a 64bit vista, and must do a clean install, but it is ambiguous
as to what upgrade means. Does this mean that an original install version
(much more expensive) must be purchased, or can the upgrade version be used
on a clean hard drive as long as the XP key or whatever is put in to make it
recognize that you are upgrading?

Is there an upgrade version of 64 given that it can't be installed over the top of
any
other OS and retain the settings? What would be the point?

Tom Lake

 

[Mick Murphy]

32bit to 64bit is clean install.
Delete the 32bit partition, format, install 64bit version.
Thus, full version of 64bit, not upgrade.

 

[Ian D]

According to the vista pages on the microsoft site, you cannot "upgrade"
from
a 32bit XP to a 64bit vista, and must do a clean install, but it is
ambiguous
as to what upgrade means. Does this mean that an original install version
(much more expensive) must be purchased, or can the upgrade version be
used
on a clean hard drive as long as the XP key or whatever is put in to make
it
recognize that you are upgrading?

What it means is that you start the upgrade process from 32 bit XP,
then you have two choices for a clean install. Wipe the XP partition and
install Vista 64 there, or clean install it in another partition which will
allow
a dual boot configuration.

 

[Dustin Harper]

An upgrade version can be used, but you must have the qualifying program
installed (XP, Vista 32, etc.). It will do a clean install (format,
reinstall new), without saving ANY of your old information. So, make sure
you do a GOOD backup. It is not an "upgrade" in the sense that it will
install over your old install, saving your programs, documents, etc..

You do NOT need the full version to upgrade to 64 Bit if you have the other
OS.

--

Dustin Harper
(e-mail address removed)
http://www.vistarip.com | Vista Resource & Information Page

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[Colin Barnhorst]

Not correct. In fact just the opposite. The x64 Setup will not run on a
32bit OS. Even when using the upgrade edition.

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

The word "upgrade" in an upgrade edition refers to the license, not to the
method used to install Windows.

A better word for describing going from 32bits to 64bits is "migrating"
rather than "upgrading." I wish MS would use that term more. Migration
means a clean install of the new OS followed by a fresh installation of your
apps and restoration from backup of your files and settings.

You are entitled to use an Vista upgrade product key to migrate from 32bit
Windows 2000, XP, or Vista to 64bit Vista. You just can't do it without
having to reinstall your apps.

You boot the computer with the Vista x64 dvd and enter the upgrade product
key. Unlike the x86 dvd you will NOT be instructed to run Setup from
existing Windows. Rather, x64 Setup simply searches the computer for a
version of Windows eligible for upgrade to Vista. In your case it will find
XP. Setup will then simply proceed.

You have options as to whether to do a custom installation or use the disk
tools first to delete the XP partition and create a new one before starting
installation (a clean install). Unlike the x86 dvd, the "workaround" often
quoted in order to do a clean install using an upgrade product key is not
need at all with an x64 dvd.

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

Upgrade functionality (that retains apps, files, and settings) would be
enabled when going from Vista Home Basic x64 to Vista Home Premium x64 or
Vista Ultimate x64, and from Vista Home Premiumx64 or Vista Business x64 to
Vista Ultimate x64.

 

[Mr Bennett]

I think this answers my question. According to the article, if you are
running 32 bit XP, the upgrade liscence will work, you just need to boot it
from the DVD and run the install cleanly, wheras from 32 to 32 or 64 to 64
you could run it with the computer alreayd booted into windows. Thank you.

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

You will be just fine with the x64 dvd and your upgrade edition product key.
You will boot with the dvd, enter your upgrade pk, and Setup will
immediately scan your computer for existing Windows. It will find XP and
then let you proceed. Once it lets you proceed you no longer need the
existing Windows and are free to use the disk tools to do whatever you want.
You can delete the XP partition entirely and start with a new partition for
Vista, which I suggest folks do.

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

Incorrect, Mick. Since you have to boot with the x64 dvd the disk tools are
enabled and it is a simple matter to delete, create, extend, shrink,
whatever the user wants to do with partition.

You cannot apply what you have learned from working with x86 Setup to x64
Setup. They really do not work the same way.

For one thing, you cannot run x64 Setup from within an x86 desktop so you
have to boot the computer with the dvd to run x64 Setup.

An upgrade product key works fine when migrating from x86 Windows to x64
Vista. A full edition product key simply is not required. Is not. Is not.
Trust me. Is not.

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

Incorrect. x64 Setup is itself a 64bit program. When was the last time YOU
ran a 64bit program on an x86 operating system?

Since he cannot start x64 Setup from XP he must boot the computer with the
x64 dvd and run Setup that way. x64 Setup does not work like x86 Setup and
it will NOT require running from existing Windows when entering an upgrade
edition product key. It scans the computer for existing Windows eligible
for upgrade licensing for Vista. When it finds his XP it will simply allow
him to proceed. No messages. It just proceeds.

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

Bravo, Dustin! After reading the other replies you will surely get to the
head of the class with yours.

 

[Ian D]

Incorrect. x64 Setup is itself a 64bit program. When was the last time
YOU ran a 64bit program on an x86 operating system?

Since he cannot start x64 Setup from XP he must boot the computer with the
x64 dvd and run Setup that way. x64 Setup does not work like x86 Setup
and it will NOT require running from existing Windows when entering an
upgrade edition product key. It scans the computer for existing Windows
eligible for upgrade licensing for Vista. When it finds his XP it will
simply allow him to proceed. No messages. It just proceeds.

I didn't know that. When I installed my Vista Ultimate 64 upgrade ver, I
disconnected my XP Pro HD, and clean installed Vista by the double install
method, so I didn't have the occasion to even try running setup.exe from XP.
That was so each OS would see itself as running on C:, and give the ability
to boot into either OS from either drive. VistaBootPro is a great utility.

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

You did a good job, but you didn't have to go through all that. Booting
with the x64 dvd would have worked equally well and set up a normal dual
boot menu.

The drive lettering is irrelevant to the computer and does not have the same
issues that it might have had in the days of Win9x/ME. Installers don't
worry about them. I don't. I name the system drives with names like
"XPx86" and "VUx64". I don't care about the letters. Drive letters are a
dinosaur anyway.

You should use the simple fix in http://support.microsoft.com/kb/926185 when
running both XP and Vista on the same computer.

I think the best way to run XP on a Vista box is in a virtual machine. That
way you get to use both at the same time and there is no way they can
interfere with each other. Its easier on the hardware too.