Kim,
You've probably read how to do a clean install of Vista using an upgrade
disk by now buy just in case you haven't. You can make the system into a
dual boot or even a multi-boot system if you want - or start with a clean
disk.
1. Boot from the Vista DVD. Depending on your configuration and what Vista
finds for an existing OS (if any) you will be presented with either doing an
"upgrade" or a "clean install". You want to do a clean install if you have
a clean disk or want a multi-boot system.
2. Load Vista but *do not* enter in the activation code and uncheck the auto
activate box.
3. Select which version you purchased and are loading up (I'm assuming you
have Vista Ultimate).
4. Continue the load and it will go through several reboots until you
finally get to the Desktop screen. (You may have some incompatibility
hardware or driver problems and not get that far and you may have to load a
driver or two at the F6 prompt screen before you're successful.) MS has by
design, allowed Vista to install over any OS - including Vista in order to
install it and using the upgrade version works just as well as the
full-version.
5. Once you have Vista up and running, don't load any app's or do any
updates. While in Vista - you are now ready to do an in-place upgrade.
Eject the DVD and push it back in (that's one way to auto start the DVD) and
the DVD will start Vista. This time do the *upgrade* of Vista over Vista
and when the screen asks for the activation code - enter it. You can elect
to activate via the net or do a manual, by phone activation.
6. Once this second load of Vista is installed and you're back up and
running again - you're all set to do the upgrades, load app's or whatever.
You can delete the windows.old directory since that is just the (now) old
files from the Vista install.
If you do a clean install of Vista to a different drive or partition and
have XP on the system - you can make it a multi-boot system. Vista will
write the multi-boot record to the XP drive and when you boot the system you
will have a choice of the legacy OS (WinXP) or Vista. You can download a
freeware program called VistaBootPro v3 (DAGs for a good download site) and
use it to modify the boot loader to your liking. This may help
http://www.windowstalk.org/dual_boot_part2.htm
You don't have to enter the activation codes if you don't want and can
continue to evaluate the Vista install (32 or 64 bit versions) and use the
rearm command (also DAGs) to extend the evaluation period out to 120 days -
and even longer depending on how and when you do it. The
www.WindowsSecrets.com site has all the articles on the above load
procedures and a number of other useful tidbits. Click on NewsLetter - Past
Issues and read the top 7 articles. You may also want to subscribe to this
newsletter, I've found it very helpful.
Mind you, if you multi-boot using an upgrade DVD, you need to retire one
license of a valid OS to be legal. Technically, nothing happens if you
don't. Vista does not wipe your XP key off the face of the earth or report
you to the cops. But your company has certain legal obligations as per the
EULA and not all the EULA's are the same for the Vista versions. The EULA
allows a lot of flexibility in running certain versions (Ultimate and
Business as I recall) in Virtual PC mode.
I presently have Vista x86, x64 and WinXP Pro in a multi-boot configuration
on this system and I used the above procedures. These are not work-arounds
or technical magic - they are allowed by Vista and once you read thru those
articles I believe you'll find that there is nothing illegal or unethical in
using the MS provided -undocumented- features. If you or anyone wants to
argue any of the legal aspects, I would suggest you contact a lawyer and not
ask me - I'm not a lawyer.
Bob S.
