Max said:
I did a Vista upgrade over a OEM Windows XP computer and I'm not happy with
this. Now I want to do a clean installation in order to have the option of
which OS to use.
Can I use my Recovery CD , format my hard disk so OEM Windows XP is
installed back again and then make a clean installation of Vista in order
to
have the option of choosing what OP system to be opened?
Thanks
You can install XP onto a separate partition or 2nd hard drive even now with
Vista already installed and boot to either. I've done it. You can not
however use your recovery CD to do it this way. But you can use ANY "OEM" XP
install disk that matches the version you were using. Pro, Home, MCE. There
is a good chance the product code that is on your recovery CD or on a label
on the computer cabinet will work without a problem. Did for me. If it
doesn't activate you can call MS and plead your case. Often OEM XP computers
are initially activated with a different product code than the one given to
you on paper. If so there is no issue of that code being de-activated by
upgrading to Vista.
There is a lot of information in this group and the general group about how
to do this. One place to start is:
http://www.pro-networks.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=88231
That site deals with installing XP onto a partition but the procedure is
almost the same for installing onto a 2nd hard drive.
If you decide to do it the way you describe... I've read that you can
install the upgrade version cleanly (on a different drive/partition)by
skipping the "enter product code" page. Just leave it blank. Vista will ask
you again if you want to enter the code and just say No or Yes. (I forget
how it's worded) You can enter the code in later after Vista is installed.
Not sure about this so research it first. I don't see any moral issues doing
it that way as you are in fact upgrading from XP to Vista but you just want
to keep XP running because you need it for critical hardware or
applications.
