Upgrading from xp to vista

[Spartan]

Ok i just need some advice here on upgrading. I just bought the vista home premium service pack 1 or whatever its called upgrade version (mainly cause it was cheaper than buying vista on its own). I actually wanna reformat my computer and then install vista so its like a totally new computer. Ive backed up all the files and folders i will need but the problem lies with the cd key. When u want to reformat you will need a cd key right? well i have the xp service pack 2 cd so i could reformat but i dont have the cd key. So, will i be able to still reformat my computer without the cd key in some way or can i just install the vista UPGRADE version and then reformat my computer that way? So to break it down...

 

1. Will trying to reformat my computer without the cd key work? (Will it delete all files still)

2. If yes, will i be able to upgrade to vista and it will all be fine still?

3. If no, will i be able to reformat after upgrading to vista?

[Daze]

CD keys are bound to the CD's themselves.

 

I think the upgrade version is only for upgrading a different version of Vista, for example if you had Vista Basic and wanted to upgrade to Home Premium then you wouldn't need the CD Key.

 

I would go and get a replacement that isn't the upgraded version (it costs a little more but you get the CD key with it) otherwise you will have just wasted about £70?

 

If your worried about losing files, create a seperate partition to the one your going to delete and backup any files and folders you deem important and worth keeping, then go from there.

[Noob^]

idk i just bought a brand new computer with vista already on it lol, so i got no idea sry:)

[Wrathek]

no, vista upgrade is indeed for going from xp to vista.

 

Unless your copy of xp is from like dell or something, yes, you need a cd key.

 

Yes, it will format, but here's the deal:

 

Unless the vista upgrade came with a cd key, you probably wont be able to use your os

 

im not sure if you can install vista w/o the xp cd key tho, just keep in mind to install your version of xp you need to install xp first.

[Spartan]

If need be i can return this upgrade version and hopefully get my money back. So your saying the upgrade version does not come with a cd key? and you need a cd key to install the update version anyway???

[Maxwelldon]

Ok i just need some advice here on upgrading. I just bought the vista home premium service pack 1 or whatever its called upgrade version (mainly cause it was cheaper than buying vista on its own). I actually wanna reformat my computer and then install vista so its like a totally new computer. Ive backed up all the files and folders i will need but the problem lies with the cd key. When u want to reformat you will need a cd key right? well i have the xp service pack 2 cd so i could reformat but i dont have the cd key. So, will i be able to still reformat my computer without the cd key in some way or can i just install the vista UPGRADE version and then reformat my computer that way? So to break it down...

 

1. Will trying to reformat my computer without the cd key work? (Will it delete all files still)

2. If yes, will i be able to upgrade to vista and it will all be fine still?

3. If no, will i be able to reformat after upgrading to vista?

Usually at the place I worked at, we had Win XP installed when using the upgrade disc of Vista.

At least it went pretty much the same as other installs but it'll most likely store the old user settings into folder similar to "Windows Old" on drive C:

 

Also, most stuff that is installed on WinXP and works there, should work on vista as well. If there is any problems afterwards with software, just reinstall them or repair-install.

[Spartan]

Usually at the place I worked at, we had Win XP installed when using the upgrade disc of Vista.

At least it went pretty much the same as other installs but it'll most likely store the old user settings into folder similar to "Windows Old" on drive C:

 

Also, most stuff that is installed on WinXP and works there, should work on vista as well. If there is any problems afterwards with software, just reinstall them or repair-install.

 

What i wanna know is if i need the cd key to reformat windows xp with the xp service pack. And if upgrading to vista will allow me to reformat in some way.

[Wrathek]

since you've already backed up all the files you need, tbh id return it as well. Since you want to format anyway, you might as well get a real version of vista.

[PotshotPolka]

Not to hijack the thread but can I use a Vista X64 disk with a X32 cd key? I'm considering adding more RAM and I would need to upgrade but like hell I'm going to fork out money to MS just to change the number of bits the OS uses.

[Spartan]

well actually, screw vista for now. lets just break this down into some questions.

 

1.can my computer be reformatted without the cd key.

2.do i need to buy a new version of xp if not

3.when my computer is reformatted, no files, viruses, programs, any deleted files will be there right?