The original question was that he was going form Vista 32 to Win7 64. when I went from Vista 32 to Vista 64 the 64 upgrade disk wouldn't run on 32 and i had to boot from the disk. the upgrade disk did recognize the previous version. Also all you may the the original Vista CD to insert on request if Win 7 asks for verification. But since the Win7 upgrade CD's aren't out yet who know for sure what MS will do?
You may want to look at this link to MS. It was posted in an earlier thread on the subject.
Installing and reinstalling Windows
It feels confusing that MS calls it an upgrade product then tells you you can't upgrade. The upgrade product is a W7 installation disc. There are limited ways to use the disc to directly upgrade an existing installation. The upgrade product can be used for a custom install for those situations.
Also:
Windows 7 - Buy and download from Microsoft Store
"
- Running earlier versions?
- If you have Windows XP or Windows 2000, you can purchase Windows 7 Upgrade versions. But you must back up your files, clean install, and reinstall your applications."
Clean install = custom install
I guess my confusion is that someone had said that you can't run the 64-bit W7 clean/custom install from a 32 bit XP current installation. Since I would be doing the "upgrade/custom/clean" install of Win7 64 from inside my current 32 bit XP OS, I wondered if this would create a problem.
Also, the other issue that I still believe has not really been addressed by MS is what happens to those people (like me) who have OEM XP with no original system discs? What happens if my "upgrade/clean" Win7 install fails for some reason AFTER it has already verified and then wiped my XP install? One would think that you would not just be able to try again, because the whole point of the upgrade media is that you have to have an existing licensed OS for the W7 install to work. And what if, six months down the road, I have to re-install W7 for some reason? How is it going to verify the prior OS then?
I realize that some of these questions (maybe ALL of them!) have been asked ad nauseum in other threads/posts, but I still don't think we really have gotten answers. I wouldnt even care, except that I shelled out $150 on three pre-release "upgrades" to avoid having to pay for three full retail versions, and now I am somewhat concerned about the limitations that might be placed on how these upgrade installations will work. I am especially concerned about whether MS has really considered the number of people with OEM systems these days who don't have original system discs anymore to "verify their licenses", and how that would affect installation and re-installation of W7, especially for those who "upgrade/clean install" their OS from OEM XP or Vista to W7.
Damon
ps sorry if I am slightly OT
I am in a similar situation. Have ordered 3 pre release upgrades but due to unanswered questions by MS, I don't look forward to a hard drive failure after win 7 is installed and activated and my 'XP' license has been converted to Win7. How will I re install Win 7?
Install XP, can not activate it as xp license is now null and void.
Install Win 7 and can not activate as it can not see an activated copy of XP.
What a mess.......
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