32 bit XP to 64 bit Vista

hey guys - on my new rig i just built i bought an oem version of XP because i was able to get it really cheap.  however i'll probably upgrade to Vista since my university allows me to buy a Vista upgrade for $30 (note: this is NOT the full version, they're only liscensed to give me an upgrade.  it won't reformat my hdd).

so after reading this article and then this entry on the knowledge base, it seems that i cannot simply "upgrade" but i have to perform a "custom installation."

what's the difference? 

you can't upgrade from 32 to 64bit if I remember correctly.

Basically, you cant upgrade from within XP...you gotta put in the Cd and let it boot from cd without booting into XP. Basically a basic install. That's if your directions are right. Honestly, I've never tired it. I ALWAYS backup and wipe my OS drive. I don't ever recommend upgrading windows.

yeah, i'd prefer to do that too (though i'd have to re-download my steam games )

my question is, can i do a basic install from boot with an upgrade version? my computer is already formatted with XP, but since vista is a 64-bit system, can it use the same disk formatting?

you should have just bought vista.. any new vista purchase here forward qualifies for an instant Windows 7 license when it releases

Going from a 32bit OS to a 64bit one has to be a clean install, there is no upgrade path provided. There are numerous technical reasons for this, but just use the the transfer files/settings wizard and you should be fine...the experience with that is fairly close to an upgrade.

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right, i figured that from the articles i read.  and i can do a clean install from an upgrade version, not a full version, of windows Vista?

Should have purchased Vista.  You'll realize that being cheap is never a good thing when building a computer.

That's correct joebot. Sorry if I misunderstood, hooray for Vicodine (surgery).

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