Upgrade Matrix Question

[Alexandre Jasmin]

If you are currently using Windows 2000 Professional or

Windows XP Professional x64, you are eligible for an upgrade
copy to a corresponding or better edition of Windows Vista,
but a clean install is required.

OK. So If I have win2k or xp x64 I can buy the upgrade but I'll need
to flush my current installation. That's clear enough.

For versions of Windows earlier than Windows 2000, upgrade copies
are not available. These earlier versions of Windows require you
to install a full copy of Windows Vista.

If I have a version earlier than 2000 I need to buy the full version.
It's also quite clear.

If the edition of Windows Vista that you choose to install will
result in a loss of functionality over your current edition of
Windows, a clean install must be done or the installation must
be completed to a new partition on your PC.

Now I don't understand that last statment. If I have say XP pro and my
current budget only allow me to get the Home Basic version of Vista then
I'll need to make a fresh install. But it doesn't say if I have to use the
full version or the upgrade version CD for this.

 

[Rick Rogers]

Hi,

Now I don't understand that last statment. If I have say XP pro and my
current budget only allow me to get the Home Basic version of Vista then
I'll need to make a fresh install. But it doesn't say if I have to use the
full version or the upgrade version CD for this.

For that scenario you would need a full version. To install any version that
results in loss of functionality you need a full version. The upgrade disks
for Vista need to be started from within the existing, running OS. If the
upgrade version is not appropriate for the current version of Windows being
run, then the process will not proceed. There is no running a clean install
from an upgrade disk as there was with previous versions of Windows.

FYI: XP Pro must be upgraded to Business or Ultimate, XP Home can be upgrade
to those too, as well as Home Basic or Premium.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

I'm sorry Rick, but all that the loss-of-functionality scenarios require is
that when you use the Vista upgrade edition you can only do a custom
installation. The upgrade install option is disabled. It does NOT mean
that the user must use a full edition. Notice that the Upgrade Matrix is
all about...well...UPGRADE editions.

The green dots in the upgrade matrix indicate when either an upgrade or
custom install may be performed. The yellow dots mean that only a custom
install may be done.

All entries in the upgrade matrix may be performed with an upgrade edition.
None require a full edition.

 

[Rick Rogers]

I hadn't noticed that, or at least interpreted it that way. When it states
that a clean install must be done (yellow dot), I was assuming that you
would need a full edition as the upgrade will only run from within an
existing OS. I haven't seen any clear definition on the custom option and as
to whether it will be available when using an upgrade disk on an unsupported
OS. If so, that is a change in how upgrades are allowed to be used.
Interesting.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org