Vista Upgrade Question

  • Thread starter Thread starter CybrGuy
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CybrGuy

This question is for users who have used an 'Upgrade' disk preferably
for Home Premium, but any upgraders are welcome to respond. I realize
that a true 'clean install' (installing to a formatted drive) apparently
isn't possible with an 'upgrade' disk as it was in XP. However, during
the upgrade, is there an option to format the disk after verification?
 
CybrGuy said:
I realize
that a true 'clean install' (installing to a formatted drive) apparently
isn't possible with an 'upgrade' disk as it was in XP. However, during
the upgrade, is there an option to format the disk after verification?
Click to expand...

I just phoned Microsoft Support Hotline here in my country and they
explained me that this is not possible . I have always preferred clean
installs of OS so it seems we should buy Vista (not upgrade)
 
Panda_man said:
I just phoned Microsoft Support Hotline here in my country and they
explained me that this is not possible . I have always preferred clean
installs of OS so it seems we should buy Vista (not upgrade)
Click to expand...

:-( I hope this info is not correct. I have heard many contradictory
reports, and that is why I am looking for first hand information.
 
This question is for users who have used an 'Upgrade' disk preferably for
Home Premium, but any upgraders are welcome to respond. I realize that a
true 'clean install' (installing to a formatted drive) apparently isn't
possible with an 'upgrade' disk as it was in XP. However, during the
upgrade, is there an option to format the disk after verification?
Click to expand...

No you cannot format when doing an upgrade to Vista. But Vista's
installation process is different from XP's. It is not a file by file copy,
it lays down an image. If you do a custom install the old installation and
data are rolled up into windows.old that can be deleted. For the in place
upgrade, after the Vista image is laid down, then the apps and data are
migrated, so although format is not allowed, the installation is "clean".
 
You cannot format the legacy system drive if the legacy OS is running. The
volume is locked. This nothing new. No version of Windows has ever allowed
you to format the target drive if you started the upgrade from the old
version's desktop.
 
But keep in mind that the x64 upgrade edition does NOT have to be started
from the legacy desktop like the x86 edition requires. It should still be
possible to format the target volume since the legacy OS would not be
running.
 
In message <[email protected]> "Colin Barnhorst"
You cannot format the legacy system drive if the legacy OS is running. The
volume is locked. This nothing new.
Click to expand...

It is, however, a simple design decision.

It would be simple enough for the setup routine to validate, initiate a
reboot and complete the format/reimage automatically after the reboot,
were Microsoft inclined to write code to accomplish that goal.
 
Correct. In fact it is not a problem with the x64 upgrade editions now.
But it isn't designed that way for x86 and there is little point in fighting
that since it is not changeable until the next version of Windows. If you
are registered on Connect (even if only to get Visual Studio stuff) you will
likely be invited to make suggestions about the next version of Windows
(codename Vienna) so hold your thought and plug away at it then, whenever
then is.
 
In message <[email protected]> "Colin
Barnhorst said:
Correct. In fact it is not a problem with the x64 upgrade editions now.
But it isn't designed that way for x86 and there is little point in fighting
that since it is not changeable until the next version of Windows. If you
are registered on Connect (even if only to get Visual Studio stuff) you will
likely be invited to make suggestions about the next version of Windows
(codename Vienna) so hold your thought and plug away at it then, whenever
then is.
Click to expand...

It wouldn't be hard for Microsoft to release a new version of the
installer, if there is enough public outcry over this.

I happen to have a few contacts at Microsoft (I'm one of the whores that
received a freebie PC, although it was damaged in shipping and I'm
waiting for the RMA process to complete), and I intend on raising enough
of a stink to get up to a product manager (I have a few on my contacts
list already, but nobody involved with the installation process, yet) as
soon as my action pack bothers to arrive.

That being said, the more people that complain, the higher the odds that
Microsoft will actually do anything about it.
 
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