[the don]

Hi

I've downloaded Vista RC1 and have it on a DVD ready to install.

My current XP installation is on an 80Gb drive, which now too small. I've bought a new 200Gb drive, which I want to install Vista onto. Can I......
1. Remove my existing 80Gb drive (after backing up essential files onto CDs or DVDs)
2. Insert the new 160Gb drive
3. Insert the Vista DVD and do a 'clean' install
4. Re-install my applications and copy back my files/favourites/emails, etc

Then, if that works, I'll eventually reformat the old 80Gb disk and use it as a backup drive.

Is it as simple as that, or am I missing something?

All advice appreciated

Thanks

[Dyre Straits]

Originally Posted by the don

Hi

I've downloaded Vista RC1 and have it on a DVD ready to install.

My current XP installation is on an 80Gb drive, which now too small. I've bought a new 200Gb drive, which I want to install Vista onto. Can I......
1. Remove my existing 80Gb drive (after backing up essential files onto CDs or DVDs)
2. Insert the new 160Gb drive
3. Insert the Vista DVD and do a 'clean' install
4. Re-install my applications and copy back my files/favourites/emails, etc

Then, if that works, I'll eventually reformat the old 80Gb disk and use it as a backup drive.

Is it as simple as that, or am I missing something?

All advice appreciated

Thanks

Greetings and Welcome to DriverHeaven!


My own recommendation would be to leave your XP alone and simply select the CUSTOM installation for VISTA [But you really should get RC2!] and install it on the new harddrive. This will allow you to make a choice as to which OS you want to boot into when you reboot the system.

I very, very much advise against moving and depending entirely on VISTA for now. You need to wait many, many months until the dust settles and all the bugs worked out.

Keep you XP working and updated. It'll be around for a few more years.


EDIT: IF, however, your 80 GB drive is becoming too cramped for XP, then here's the steps I'd take:

1. Remove the 80 GB Hard Drive.
2. Install the 160 GB HD.
3. Install XP on the new drive.
4. Update XP after installation.
5. Install the 80 GB HD as a Slave.
6. Transfer any important Data from the 80 GB drive to the new 160 GB drive.
7. Install your programs for XP.
8. Once you have saved all you want from the 80 GB drive, format it.
9. Install Vista onto the 80 GB drive and use Dual Booting as mentioned above.

[the don]

Hi and thanks very much for the advice.

Just a couple of questions:

1. If I do as you ask, will Vista (on the old 80Gb drive) be able to access programs/files that I install under XP on the 160Gb disk?

2. How do I get RC2? When I search on MSFT for it all I get to is the RC1 link. Has it been removed for some reason?

Thanks again......

[Dyre Straits]

Originally Posted by the don

Hi and thanks very much for the advice.

Just a couple of questions:

1. If I do as you ask, will Vista (on the old 80Gb drive) be able to access programs/files that I install under XP on the 160Gb disk?

2. How do I get RC2? When I search on MSFT for it all I get to is the RC1 link. Has it been removed for some reason?

Thanks again......

To answer your second question first: RC2 was available only for a brief time. If you didn't get it, you may have to look harder for it.


As for your first question: It's kind of 50/50 whether you can run programs installed in XP from your VISTA OS. It requires several things to work right and also involves giving permissions and transferring Registry keys.

Still, though, I would STRONGLY discourage you from forsaking XP entirely and depending on VISTA only. VISTA still has a lot of kinks and bugs to work out before it's ready for Primetime...IMHO.