[rihsabramo]

have just finished building my first computer.

I didn't order a copy of vista, so I installed XP to test everything.

Then foolishly I installed/downloaded several programmes I use such as Adobe Acrobat, Photoshop, Realplayer and a couple of games.

Now my Vista CD has arrived OEM 32-bit version. But it is the full version even though I ordered the UPG. I can't be bothered to send it back so can I install this over the XP without losing all the other programmes on there and how?

[mjve]

I'm afraid that if you install Vista it's gonna wipe out both system and application software... Do you have a CD/DVD burner? You could just burn all your documents and settings to disk and then unload them onto Vista whenever you have it installed...

[JohnWill]

OEM versions will not upgrade, you're out of luck.

[Rich-M]

Sorry John you are wrong here, I am on a Business oem Vista that is upgraded from Windows XP Home.

[horsecharles]

Originally Posted by rihsabramo

have just finished building my first computer.

I didn't order a copy of vista, so I installed XP to test everything.

Then foolishly I installed/downloaded several programmes I use such as Adobe Acrobat, Photoshop, Realplayer and a couple of games.

Now my Vista CD has arrived OEM 32-bit version. But it is the full version even though I ordered the UPG. I can't be bothered to send it back so can I install this over the XP without losing all the other programmes on there and how?

Hi,
I recommend the following BEFORE proceeding with Vista:

1. Download, install & run this: http://belarc.com/free_download.html AND save a copy of it OUTSIDE your computer-- webmail account, removable storage, etc.(contains all your license keys).
2. Buy another hard disk(you will need that extra space someday anyhow) and install Vista as a dual-boot AND make it default boot OS.
3. Share your Program Files folder among both OS-- you'll need to point Vista to that location on C: You will ALSO need to reinstall your programs within Vista to that identical location on C:
PS: if you also tell the Vista edition of your progs to utilize the identical Data folders the XP versions are using, it's even more advantageous for two reasons:
A: In case of OS trouble, you can seamlessly pick up where you were working before...
B: You gain a bit of a speed advantage when your programs' Data folders are on a different hard disk.

Now you'll have two main advantages, among others-- in case of OS problems:

A. Sometimes it's easier to repair something from outside the OS / while the OS is not running...and:
B: You may need quick access to something you were working on before you spend time troubleshooting your OS problem.
Don't underestimate this advantage when trying a new OS!!! Plus, you can sometimes lose data & settings when repairing/recovering/reinstalling an OS.

While you're at it, if you wish to gain additional advantages(speed AND data/settings protection)--
A. have Vista multi-partition both drives & migrate key user/data/document/etc. folders out of vista Windows partition...
B. have Vista share XP's pagefile, & all *Temp* folders(i'd set each OS to empty them on close).

Even if say, you want to use that xp on another machine-- then just don't use it-- keep it in your new system as an emergency option... why not?

Good luck whatever you decide.