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lr4life

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jun 17, 2008
18
0
So, I want to know if it is possible to upgrade from WinXP to Vista within the currently existing XP partion that I already have running on my MBP.
The reason why I am asking is because I only have the upgrade version of Vista and not the full.
I don't really feel like experimenting and crapping up my HD if I am not sure if this will work, so if any of you have experience with this, I would much appreciate your advice.
 

Stridder44

macrumors 68040
Mar 24, 2003
3,973
198
California
So, I want to know if it is possible to upgrade from WinXP to Vista within the currently existing XP partion that I already have running on my MBP.
The reason why I am asking is because I only have the upgrade version of Vista and not the full.
I don't really feel like experimenting and crapping up my HD if I am not sure if this will work, so if any of you have experience with this, I would much appreciate your advice.

I wouldn't recommend upgrading any OS ever, but if that's the only CD you have then there's not much else you can do. Just understand you're probably gonna lose a few GB's, and some apps will probably freak out. Otherwise, it should work out fine.
 

lr4life

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jun 17, 2008
18
0
I wouldn't recommend upgrading any OS ever, but if that's the only CD you have then there's not much else you can do. Just understand you're probably gonna lose a few GB's, and some apps will probably freak out. Otherwise, it should work out fine.

I was just gonna do a fresh upgrade and not even try to move over my currently running apps. I figured it might just be easier to reinstall them after the fact.
The thing that I am worried about is if the Boot Camp drivers will work properly after the upgrade.
 

Stridder44

macrumors 68040
Mar 24, 2003
3,973
198
California
I was just gonna do a fresh upgrade and not even try to move over my currently running apps. I figured it might just be easier to reinstall them after the fact.
The thing that I am worried about is if the Boot Camp drivers will work properly after the upgrade.

As long as you have the Leopard install DVD, you'll be fine.

Back up whatever you want to save, delete the XP partition with Boot Camp (just go into Boot Camp and remove it), then re-create the partition (I've read this is recommended instead of just simply re-installing over an installation).

Install Vista on the new partition. Install the Boot Camp drivers. Update Boot Camp. Update Vista. Install whatever apps/backed up files, and that's it.
 

lr4life

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jun 17, 2008
18
0
As long as you have the Leopard install DVD, you'll be fine.

Back up whatever you want to save, delete the XP partition with Boot Camp (just go into Boot Camp and remove it), then re-create the partition (I've read this is recommended instead of just simply re-installing over an installation).

Install Vista on the new partition. Install the Boot Camp drivers. Update Boot Camp. Update Vista. Install whatever apps/backed up files, and that's it.

I would just do that, but the problem that I have is that I only have the "upgrade" version of Vista and not the full version, so I cannot simply erase my current Windows partition and do a full install. I wish I had the full version, but I don't.
 

SnowLeopard2008

macrumors 604
Jul 4, 2008
6,772
18
Silicon Valley
I would just do that, but the problem that I have is that I only have the "upgrade" version of Vista and not the full version, so I cannot simply erase my current Windows partition and do a full install. I wish I had the full version, but I don't.

Fair point, so just to make matters simple, remove the XP partition. And then just put a fresh copy of XP on it, maybe update it, and then do the upgrade, without installing the drivers. Once Vista upgrade is complete, then install the drivers, to insure you won't have duplicate drivers or any issues with the drivers. Hope that helps. :D
 

Stridder44

macrumors 68040
Mar 24, 2003
3,973
198
California
Fair point, so just to make matters simple, remove the XP partition. And then just put a fresh copy of XP on it, maybe update it, and then do the upgrade, without installing the drivers. Once Vista upgrade is complete, then install the drivers, to insure you won't have duplicate drivers or any issues with the drivers. Hope that helps. :D

Bingo. Sorry lr4life, I misread your earlier post (I thought you said you had a regular Vista install CD).
 

lr4life

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jun 17, 2008
18
0
Okay, guys.
I got it to work.
I just preformed the upgrade and held down option every time it had to reboot during the install.
It was very easy and worked like a charm!
Thanks for the posts.
 

The Flashing Fi

macrumors 6502a
Sep 23, 2007
763
0
There's also a way to take the Upgrade Vista disk and use get a full install out of it without needing XP on there to upgrade from.
 

ayeying

macrumors 601
Dec 5, 2007
4,547
13
Yay Area, CA
There is a way from what I've read but I don't remember the method.

Congrats on upgrading from XP to Vista, I never been able to upgrade XP to Vista, its always been greyed out for me. lol
 

lr4life

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jun 17, 2008
18
0
There is a way from what I've read but I don't remember the method.

Congrats on upgrading from XP to Vista, I never been able to upgrade XP to Vista, its always been greyed out for me. lol

Ah...that sux.
I really do like Vista a lot more than XP.
You should really try to figure out what the problem is.
It is totally worth it!
 

ayeying

macrumors 601
Dec 5, 2007
4,547
13
Yay Area, CA
Ah...that sux.
I really do like Vista a lot more than XP.
You should really try to figure out what the problem is.
It is totally worth it!

I have no idea what the problem is. If I have Windows XP Pro (32bit) installed, for some reason, I cannot upgrade to Vista Business or Ultimate (32bit). The option is always greyed out.

No biggie, I always clean install.
 

ayeying

macrumors 601
Dec 5, 2007
4,547
13
Yay Area, CA
Can anyone find out how to get a full install out of a upgrade disc? I would rather buy the $300 Vista Ultimate Upgrade version and save the extra $200 or so.

If you can boot from the upgrade disk, you can select the version of vista (that you bought) WITHOUT entering the product key and install clean that way. After install, you can activate using the product key that came with the upgrade.

Also, if you go on newegg.com, you can purchase the OEM version of Vista for about 200. I bought my Vista Business SP1, x64 on newegg for 179. Full install, not upgrade.
 

lr4life

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jun 17, 2008
18
0
I have no idea what the problem is. If I have Windows XP Pro (32bit) installed, for some reason, I cannot upgrade to Vista Business or Ultimate (32bit). The option is always greyed out.

No biggie, I always clean install.

Yeah, nothing like a clean install.
That is almost always the smarter way to go.
 
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