Can I do a clean Vista upgrade without having prior OS install dis

[Guest]

My 64 bit Averatec notebook came with Windows XP home preinstalled. Instead
of providing installation media, Averatec relies instead on Phoenix software
in a hidden partition to reinstall Windows XP if needed. They don't even
sell installation media for the notebook. I would like to perform a clean
install of Vista while still taking advantage of the upgrade pricing.
However, in the past, Windows upgrades I have performed have required the
insertion of previous version installation media to verify the users rights
to use an upgrade version. Can I perform a clean Vista upgrade without
having installation media from the prior version of Windows?

Thanks

 

[Andre Da Costa[ActiveWin]]

Yes, the Upgrade version of Vista should provide you the option of searching
additional partitions in the system for a qualifying version of Windows.

 

[Guest]

Thanks for the reply. I'm sorry I may have been unclear in my question.
Typically, when I've done "clean" installs with upgrade os software in the
past, I formatted the drive first, booted with the new os disk and then
inserted my older os install disk when the upgrade program asked for
verification. I wouldn't think that if I format my disk prior to installing
Vista, that the upgrade version of Vista would be able to find the qualifying
version on the formatted drive. Also, as Averatec doesn't supply install
media, I would have no CD to insert from which to verify a qualifying Windows
version. All I would have is a License number from the Windows sticker on
the notebook. Would that number suffice?