Vista Upgrade Question

[911paramedic]

If I have XP pro (32 bit) can I use a Vista version that is 64 bit to upgrade, or do I need a 64 bit OS first? For some reason I seem to remember hearing that unless you were already using a 64 bit version of windows the upgrade version wouldn't work.

True? Not true?

I recently built a decent system and want to use all my memory (...not use, utilize, lol) and the 64 bit processor.

TIA

Specs:

Operating System: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2
System Manufacturer: NVIDIA
System Model: 132-CK-NF78
BIOS: Phoenix - AwardBIOS v6.00PG
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU E6850 @ 3.00GHz (2 CPUs)
Memory: 2302MB RAM (It's actually 4GB in SLI)
Card name: NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GTS 512 (x2 in SLI)

All total, there is 5GB of ram, 4 system and 1 video.

 

[Aberforth]

You cannot upgrade from 32bit OS....in your case you have to run a fresh installation of Vista 64bit.

 

[masteraleph]

Aberforth's answer is correct, but doesn't actually answer your question.

The 64-bit version of Vista cannot "upgrade" XP in the sense of carrying over your files and settings. Therefore, you'll need to back up any files you want to keep before installing Vista.

That said, if you have an upgrade license and a Vista x64 dvd (either because you bought Ultimate upgrade, you bought the $10 DVD from MS, or you've borrowed one from someone), then after saving your files elsewhere, load the Vista installer from within Windows. If you do it that way then Vista will realize that you had an old OS and that this is an upgrade, and will allow you to activate Vista.

Note that the upgrade license for Vista doesn't work the same way XP's did- with XP, you could stick in the XP cd, it would ask you for another Windows cd if nothing was on the HDD (to prove you were "upgrading"), and then you could proceed with installing XP. Vista does not allow this: you must "upgrade" from an OS on the HDD. If you don't, you can install Vista without activating it, then "upgrade" from within Vista and activate it that time around.

 

[911paramedic]

To my knowledge, when you upgrade it always checks for the previous (or earlier) version and you always need to format it anyways, so it's a fresh install.

I just want to know if it will accept what I have and allow me to move up to the 64 bit version. From what masteraleph said, it will.