Upgrade Clean Install? 32-Bit to 64-Bit?

[Guest]

Alright well I plan on purchasing Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium
Upgrade soon. I just ordered a second hard drive for my laptop (it has two
bays) and I was wondering if I would be able to do a clean install onto my
new Hard Drive and still have Windows XP Pro on my 80GB (old one) with
Windows Vista Home Premium on my 100GB(new one)? I was hoping to just run
this set up until all my programs and drivers work correctly on Vista.

Second Question. If what I intend to do with a dual-boot is successful, I
must inquire about the 32-64bit Anytime Upgrade. If I install Vista 32Bit,
would I be able to upgrade my Vista 32Bit to Vista 64Bit? Or do I have to...
Purchase The Vista Home Premium Upgrade, then order the 64Bit edition, before
I upgrade all together?

 

[Rock]

Alright well I plan on purchasing Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium
Upgrade soon. I just ordered a second hard drive for my laptop (it has two
bays) and I was wondering if I would be able to do a clean install onto my
new Hard Drive and still have Windows XP Pro on my 80GB (old one) with
Windows Vista Home Premium on my 100GB(new one)? I was hoping to just run
this set up until all my programs and drivers work correctly on Vista.

Second Question. If what I intend to do with a dual-boot is successful, I
must inquire about the 32-64bit Anytime Upgrade. If I install Vista 32Bit,
would I be able to upgrade my Vista 32Bit to Vista 64Bit? Or do I have
to...
Purchase The Vista Home Premium Upgrade, then order the 64Bit edition,
before
I upgrade all together?

Yes you can install to the other drive. Note that it's against the Vista
license to have the XP OS that was the qualifying OS to use an upgrade
version installed at the same time as the Vista installation. That said,
one thing to do is not activate Vista immediately, there is a check box
during the install to tell it not to automatically activate, then do the
install, get it set up, remove XP and activate Vista. You have 30 days to
activate.

You don't need to use the AU to get x64. There is a coupon or info in the
VHP upgrade box on how to send for the x64 DVD for just a shipping charge.

You can install the x64 version with the same product key as was used for
the x86 version, however it cannot do an in place upgrade. With the x86
version of Vista installed, boot from the x64 DVD, it will check for the
presence of a genuine copy of an OS to qualify for the use of the upgrade
version, then do a custom install (neither programs or data will be
migrated, but the old installation will be wrapped up into the windows.old
folder from which you could salvage some data). Make sure you backup before
doing this, best to image the system for a quick restore if needed.