Upgrading from XP Media Center

[Clayboy]

I have an HP with drive D: containing the recovery files for XP. I keep
getting different answers from HP.
1. By using the upgrade option for Vista Premium, does the hard drive get
reformatted?
2. If not, do the recovery files for XP in D: remain?
3. Or do the recovery files for XP in D: get overwritten?

I was told by HP that the files could not be accessed because they are a
different file system. As far as I know both operating systems use NTFS. Am I
wrong?

Thanks

 

[Bruce Chambers]

I have an HP with drive D: containing the recovery files for XP. I keep
getting different answers from HP.
1. By using the upgrade option for Vista Premium, does the hard drive get
reformatted?

In effect, yes. Vista's installation model entails it "storing" the
target drive's contents in the Windows.Old folder, and then laying down
an image of the installed Vista OS. However, in this process,
previously installed applications and and settings are transfered to the
new OS installation.

2. If not, do the recovery files for XP in D: remain?
3. Or do the recovery files for XP in D: get overwritten?

If you target the Vista installation to WinXP's system partition
(normally C, there should be no reason for the Recovery partition to
be affected. However, HP computers normally come with the capability of
creating Recovery disks from this hidden partition (see the computer's
manual or HP's web site for specific instructions), and it'd be a good
idea to do so, just in case. In fact, you would have been prompted to
do so the very first time you took the computer out of the box and
turned it on.

I was told by HP that the files could not be accessed because they are a
different file system.

Yes,the Recovery partition would be in the format of whatever partition
imaging application HP chose to use to create it.

As far as I know both operating systems use NTFS. Am I
wrong?

No, you're not wrong, but this isn't really relevant to the Recovery
partition's file format.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:


http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell

The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has
killed a great many philosophers.
~ Denis Diderot

 

[Dave]

Some people mean different things when they say "upgrade".

I did an upgrade of my Gateway XP MCE computer a year ago, using the Vista
DVD with the word "Upgrade" in red on the box. You start it from within XP,
not by booting up on the DVD.
This upgrade will not format the XP partition, as it replaces the XP files
with the Vista files. Your data will remain, however back everything up
first.
The recovery partition should not be affected. I had a hidden recovery
partition, and I removed it later, as I did not wish to return to XP.

Back up, back up, back up.

 

[Clayboy]

So am I understanding you? In the upgrade, drive D: is not affected?

 

[Clayboy]

Thank you. This is what I need to know.

Some people mean different things when they say "upgrade".

I did an upgrade of my Gateway XP MCE computer a year ago, using the Vista
DVD with the word "Upgrade" in red on the box. You start it from within XP,
not by booting up on the DVD.
This upgrade will not format the XP partition, as it replaces the XP files
with the Vista files. Your data will remain, however back everything up
first.
The recovery partition should not be affected. I had a hidden recovery
partition, and I removed it later, as I did not wish to return to XP.

Back up, back up, back up.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

So am I understanding you? In the upgrade, drive D: is not affected?

More of an "*should not* be affected. When doing something as drastic
as upgrading an operating system, it's important to take the appropriate
precautions, just in case something does go wrong.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:


http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell

The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has
killed a great many philosophers.
~ Denis Diderot