32 bit Win XP > 64 bit Vista Ultimate

[looper]

*Existing MB died and is gone...(Asus P5B-D )
*HD in the case has all apps and data intact w/XP 32 bit as OS...
*New MB (P5Q-D) will have 6-8 gig of memory...so want to get Vista 64 bit
*BUT, I don't want to format HD & do new install of everything...if I can avoid it


I believe you can install Vista/64 right over XP/32...can this be done? And...
should it be done?

Would I need to buy the "full" version of Vista Ultimate64, or the "upgrade"
version?

OR... should I just stick w/XP 32bit for now, and switch to Windows 7...if it will be out by late spring/early summer...?

OR... get a second HD for my rig and put Vista/64bit on that one...?

 

[Rike]

If you switch operating systems, you will do a clean install. Heck, if you move from 32 bit to 64 bit, you will need need different drivers for most of your hardware.

Even swapping out the mobo without reinstalling XP is a total crap shoot. Reinstalling isn't that big a deal and it's so nice to start new hardware with a clean install. In my expereince it significantly reduces problems.

 

[abaez]

You can do a fresh install right over xp. I did it and the vista installer basically told me that any existing folders from your old xp are placed in the windows.old directory and they all were.

Mine was the full version of ultimate though.

 

[looper]

Guys...

What about this question I asked: "OR... should I just stick w/XP 32bit for now, and switch to Windows 7...if it will be out by late spring/early summer...? "


I have the 64 bit drivers for my hardware already on a thumb drive as we speak...

 

[RebateMonger]

Originally posted by: looper
What about this question I asked: "OR... should I just stick w/XP 32bit for now, and switch to Windows 7...if it will be out by late spring/early summer...? "

Nobody knows when Windows 7 will be officially released.

When it is released, it'll be the first version of a new, "major-release" operating system (according to Microsoft). Offhand, I'd say that EVERY major-release, or even Service Pack, version of Windows has had teething problems. If you want to avoid those, you might want to wait for at least a few months after Windows 7 is released.

 

[looper]

If you look at my "sig"/components...and in my position, which is...

*If Asus repairs/replaces my P5B-D, then I might be able to just connect everything, replace nothing, and
no format/re-install...correct? ....and ( may get the GTX 260/216 vid card @ $200.)

*If they will not repair/replace the P5B-D, then life gets a bit complicated:
1)Need new MB...(and have to format/re-install XP OS and all apps, and wait to upgrade directly to Win 7 and
bypass Vista entirely)) if I stay w/ socket 775, then, considering Asus P5Q-D, Formula MaximusII(DDR2), or
StrikerII Extreme(DDR3)...and could use same E8400cpu and 8800GTS vid card...would need new DDR3 mem
for the Striker MB... OR...get nuts and get X58/CoreI7 920 cpu, new MB, DDR3 , Vista 64bit OS:
@$1,300. OUCH...

What do you folks think? What would you do? (Don't think I should go the X58/CoreI7 rig YET...)

 

[YankeesWin]

Yeah I wouldn't depend on Windows 7 if I were you. It won't be worth installing for at least 3 months after its release if history serves, so I'd just go ahead and switch to Vista 64. I just did, and the transition was seamless(almost). As long as you have enough ram there's no definitive argument against vista 64 over xp, so why not? Formatting/installing drivers doesn't take THAT long. Corei7 isn't worth it at the moment and you can build a pretty badass 775 rig for the money you'd spend on it.

IMO upgrade to Vista and hold out on i7/DDR3. Socket 775 and OC the s^&t out of it, you'll be ready to upgrade by the end of next year anyway.

 

[Mem]

Originally posted by: RebateMonger

Originally posted by: looper
What about this question I asked: "OR... should I just stick w/XP 32bit for now, and switch to Windows 7...if it will be out by late spring/early summer...? "

Nobody knows when Windows 7 will be officially released.

When it is released, it'll be the first version of a new, "major-release" operating system (according to Microsoft). Offhand, I'd say that EVERY major-release, or even Service Pack, version of Windows has had teething problems. If you want to avoid those, you might want to wait for at least a few months after Windows 7 is released.

Another thing Microsoft have said the official SP2 for Vista will be out before Win7,so really no need to wait unless you must have Win7.

 

[RebateMonger]

If you are going to move from a 32-bit Windows to a 64-bit Windows, you'll have to perform a "clean installation". You can still use an "Upgrade Edition" of Vista. To quote Microsoft, "Performing a clean installation of Windows Vista does not preserve your personal files, settings, or programs."