I suggest you keep XP, much better than Vista, or partition your hard drive
with Partition Magic keeping XP and then place Vista on the next drive. You
should have then an automatic duel boot choice. An upgrade of Vista will
install fully if you do it twice. First time without activation, 2nd install
over the same Vista is now an Upgrade to the real thing. Microsoft explains
it also on their site. All the best.
"Richard G. Harper" <> wrote in message
news:...
> That's why an upgrade is cheaper - the purchase price is based on owning
> an earlier version, and the license that comes with the upgrade version
> explicitly states that it voids the license of the previous version. This
> has been a part of the license terms of every upgrade version of Windows.
> And yes, expect your XP key to be invalid after the upgrade.
>
> --
> Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User]
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> * PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
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>
>
> "Ian R" <> wrote in message
> news:...
>> Hi
>>
>> I've just bought the retail Ultimate upgrade but not yet installed it.
>>
>> I'm currently running XP Pro and planned to do a clean install of Vista
>> and dual boot to XP when needed.
>>
>> But I've just read in another NG that the upgrade to Vista will void the
>> activation of XP* and render it unusable ( *that is if XP is the upgrade
>> version rather than a Full version)
>>
>> Is this correct?
>>
>> If it is then MS are going to create a lot of new enemies if they
>> alienate people like myself.
>>
>> Having paid £250 for Vista ultimate upgrade I don't expect it to kill my
>> existing system!
>>
>> I'd appreciate some clarification on this and hope its untrue!
>>
>> Thanks for any info.
>>
>> Ian
>>
>
>