Help installing Vista 64 bit

[alexh1000]

Hi,

I have Vista Ultimate upgrade. I'm currently running Win 2000. Obviously I
can't install Vista 64 bit from this OS so I'm following the instructions
here -

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/932795/en-usHi

which says you can boot from CD to install Vista 64 however the previous
operating system must not be removed prior to install. In my system Win 2k is
on a different hard drive than the one I'm installing to. When I start the
install process, on the screen where you select the custom option, it says
that upgrade is disabled. I assume this means it did not detect my previous
OS? I did not continue from this point.

I can install my Win 2k on the hard drive where I wish to install Vista. In
the past however, when I had the previous OS on the C: drive and I installed
Vista on the same drive Vista would end up on the next available drive letter
(i.e. E. Nothing really wrong with this but it's kind of awkward and can't
be changed later.

Please suggest how I can proceed such that Vista ends up on my new drive
with drive letter C:. Of course I don't wish to preserve any of my Win 2k
settings etc.and I can install Win 2k on my new drive if necessary.

Thanks

 

[Dustin Harper]

Vista will install with the drive letter of C:. It will not detect your
previous install, nor will it allow you to upgrade. It is going to only be a
clean install. You can either format your W2K or install it onthe other
drive.

 

[alexh1000]

Thanks but the problem I'm having is validation failure. Here's the sequence
of events -

I built a computer and installed Vista upgrade 32 bit- validation succeeded.

Three months later, my MB failed. I received an identical replacement from
the manufacturer. At that point I decided to to do a fresh install of Vista
64 bit upgrade version (probably a bad idea to make 2 changes at once). Now I
get a validation message that the key I entered has already been used.

I called MS support and suprisingly he said the problem is that I did not
install from my previous OS. Could the support person be mistaken?

I'm at my wits end on this. I may have to buy another copy of Vista and eat
the $250 I paid for my current one.

 

[John Barnes]

Win2000 isn't a qualifying OS to install an upgrade version of Vista.

 

[alexh1000]

Ok, found this.

http://vistasupport.mvps.org/product_key_already_in_use.htm

Seems to explain my situation and either I have more than one issue (did
not install from previous OS, activated key before and hardware changed) or
the support guy is getting bad info.

I still don't really understand why the 64 bit upgrade will not recognize
the old OS. This doc, http://support.microsoft.com/kb/932795/en-usHi
implies that the previous OS must be present since it' an upgrade. text below.

Does the previous OS have to be on the same HDD that you are installing
Vista to?

• Upgrading a 32-bit operating system to a 64-bit operating system If you
purchase a 64-bit upgrade version of Windows Vista with the intention of
installing on a computer that is running a 32-bit operating system, you must
install Windows Vista by starting the computer from the 64-bit Vista
installation DVD.

Important Do not remove the previous operating system before you start the
Windows Vista installation. This is because Windows Vista Setup has to verify
that your current operating system license supports the installation of a
64-bit upgrade version.

 

[Dustin Harper]

According to this site, it is...
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/buyorupgrade/upgradepaths.mspx

Not sure why it wouldn't work... It has to be a clean install and not
installed from the OS for 64 bit.

 

[alexh1000]

Here is the text from the doc that seems to indicate you can do a clean
install using an upgrade license. But I think it still requires that the
previous OS be on the HDD.
This is exactly what i did.

Anyone know the real skinny here?

Installing a 64-bit version of Windows Vista on a computer that is running a
32-bit version of Windows XP or of Windows 2000
Most Windows XP and Windows 2000 users have the 32-bit version of these
operating systems. For example, Windows 2000, Windows XP Home, Windows Tablet
Edition and Windows Media Center Edition only come in 32-bit versions. For
these operating systems, there is no upgrade installation path available when
you upgrade from a 32-bit operating system to a 64-bit operating system.
However, you can perform a custom installation that uses an upgrade license.

After you purchase a Windows Vista DVD, follow these steps:1. Back up all
the data and the settings by using Windows XP Backup.

Note You can also use Windows Easy Transfer. This back up program is
available on the Windows Vista DVD. However, you must use the version that is
on the 32-bit Windows Vista DVD if you want to use Windows Easy Transfer to
back up a 32-bit version of Windows.
2. Insert the 64-bit version of Windows Vista into the system DVD drive, and
then restart the computer.
3. Start Windows Vista Setup from the DVD when you are prompted.

Note You must start Windows Vista Setup by starting the computer from the
Windows Vista 64-bit DVD. The installation package will not run on a 32-bit
operating system.
4. When you are prompted during Windows Vista Setup, remember to select
Custom as the installation type.
5. After installation is complete, you can restore the data from its backup
location.

 

[John Barnes]

It does not have to be on the same HDD, but must be on a visible partition.

 

[alexh1000]

My guess is that the previous OS has to be on the same HDD as Vista is being
installed to. Anyone know for sure?

I can install Win 2k on the HDD that I'm installing Vista onto.

 

[Dustin Harper]

It probably does. Vista has to see it on the partition that you are
installing to. Give it a shot and let us know how it works out!

 

[John Barnes]

My mistake.

According to this site, it is...
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/buyorupgrade/upgradepaths.mspx

Not sure why it wouldn't work... It has to be a clean install and not
installed from the OS for 64 bit.

 

[alexh1000]

Thanks guys,

I tried running the Vista 64 setup from the Vista 64 on my HDD (in other
words I did not boot from CD) with the Win 2K disk install visible and it did
give me the option of upgrade. Also, when I selected custom it did not have
the message "upgrade disabled" as usual. However, I'm not sure if it means
upgrade to the existing Vista install (didn't think to turn off the Win 2k
HDD but I can try this to verify if the upgrade option disappears).

However, activation still fails. I'll try MS support.

 

[alexh1000]

Ok, I called telephone activation and they gave me the activation code.

I would surmise that you cannot use an upgrade key when you boot from the CD
under any circumstance. You have to run the CD from an OS.

Thanks for your patience guys.

 

[John Barnes]

For activation use telephone activation and if necessary hang on for the
operator and explain the situation. There should be no problem.

 

[darkfire]

Thanks but the problem I'm having is validation failure. Here's the sequence
of events -

I built a computer and installed Vista upgrade 32 bit- validation succeeded.

Three months later, my MB failed. I received an identical replacement from
the manufacturer. At that point I decided to to do a fresh install of Vista
64 bit upgrade version (probably a bad idea to make 2 changes at once). Now I
get a validation message that the key I entered has already been used.

I called MS support and suprisingly he said the problem is that I did not
install from my previous OS. Could the support person be mistaken?

I'm at my wits end on this. I may have to buy another copy of Vista and eat
the $250 I paid for my current one.

yea i had the same i up data my psu and main board and at two av windows
bye phone cuss vista makes a list of parts in your pc wan you 1s av it
two make sure your not copying genuine window os
now i have it av i dont no if my hard disks gos down can i ree puting a new
one and run windows vista / av it who no.s maybe sumone out ther will tell me

 

[Kenneth Beer]

Recently did same. Hope this is not too late. Did not use upgrade but an OEM
clean install version of Ultimate. Installed to a separate HD. Wound up with
a dual boot screen, which is just what I wanted. Am now living happily with
both XP Pro and Vista Ultimate. When all quicks have been solved with Vista,
will kill the XP version. Whichever boot you select will be the C: drive no
matter where you installed Vista.

 

[Gail Smith]

yea i had the same i up data my psu and main board and at two av windows
bye phone cuss vista makes a list of parts in your pc wan you 1s av it
two make sure your not copying genuine window os
now i have it av i dont no if my hard disks gos down can i ree puting a new
one and run windows vista / av it who no.s maybe sumone out ther will tell me