Installing Vista over XP HD reformat?

And Vista 64 is turning out just like XP 64 bit. A desert without any drivers, support and no one to talk to about getting it to work.

Take my advice. Pull your hard disk out and set it aside (after your usual backup session) and put in a new hard disk and see how it all turns out. After that write a flaming report about the experience.

Bob

If you are using an upgrade disc I believe that the intention is to keep your personal information intact. When I upgraded from MCE 2004 to MCE 2005 it kept my data intact. Regardless ALWAYS backup your personal data, your e-mails, calendars, favorites, and links...
And if you are doing a full install you SHOULD do it on a fresh hard drive.

Hi Marc,

Vista will put everything into a folder (Windows.old) maintaining the old structure that was on your hard drive and then do the install. You have the option of formating or clean install on the same partition. Installing on the same partition puts the old XP files into the folder mentioned above.

I would think you would want to start fresh though so I'd do as the other poster said and purchase another HD. $80 for 300 gb is cheap and it's easy to add the old drive as a secondary drive.

If you are looking to perform an upgrade to vista ultimate from XP MCE and maintain the same registered apps and user info... I think you are pushing your luck there. There is the transfer wizard on vista to transfer that info but that would require two computers and I don't believe it transfers apps.

I personally am not sure if it will wipe your drive, but it might be a good idea anyways. I've noticed that upgrade installations tend to less stable then a fresh install. It might be wise to simply back up your personal files (i.e. My Documents) and then do a fresh install. When you're done, copy your files back over. You'd have to redo the settings anyways.

As far as 64-bit goes, that's what I use (Vista Ultimate (Signature) 64-bit on my homebrew machine), and I think it's great. I personally think that the huge performance boost (especially in games and media programs) are well worth the now-minor incompatibility issues. So far, the only thing I've had problems with are certain codecs and internal tv tuner cards. Other than that, I haven't had any problems.

Go for it. If worse comes to worse, you've got your backups, and you can reinstall the 32-bit version of Ultimate you got.

I wish you luck and welcome you to the ranks of true 64-bit users!

-Happy Computing!
Launchpad aka IAmTheDonut