Upgrade or clean install Vista

[Reg and Ruth]

I have a 1 year old Dell desktop which was supplied with an OEM version of
Windows XP Home. I subsequently upgraded to XP Pro with an Academic Upgrade
version. Will I be able to upgrade to Vista with a Vista upgrade version, or
will I have to buy a full retail version and do a clean install?

Many thanks for any help.

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

Only retail and OEM versions of Windows XP will
qualify for the upgrade version of Windows Vista.
In your case, you could perform a "clean install"
of your original Dell Windows XP Home Edition,
then upgrade to Windows Vista with the upgrade
version.

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows Shell/User

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

:

| I have a 1 year old Dell desktop which was supplied with an OEM version of
| Windows XP Home. I subsequently upgraded to XP Pro with an Academic Upgrade
| version. Will I be able to upgrade to Vista with a Vista upgrade version, or
| will I have to buy a full retail version and do a clean install?
|
| Many thanks for any help.

 

[Jeff]

use your original dell supplied xp disc and you should be able to do a clean
install. unless your academic xp pro disc is really a full version copy.

-jeff

 

[Reg and Ruth]

Thanks a lot, Carey, for your fast reply.

 

[Reg and Ruth]

My XP Pro box says it is MS XP Pro Upgrade version. A sticker has been
attached which states: "Academic Price: Not for use in a commercial
environment."
Does this mean I have a full version copy?

 

[Rick Rogers]

Hi,

The academic upgrade version is not a full version, it only contains the
necessary upgrade bits. Your XP Home installation would have qualified you
for an upgrade version of Vista. I do not believe that the academic version
allows for qualifying an upgrade, but I've yet to see anything concrete on
the subject.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org