Windows Vista, Ultimate Edition with Service Pack 1, Upgrade Version (32-bit CD and 64-bit DVD) (PC)

If, like me, you followed all Microsoft's recommendations before selecting your required 'version' of Windows Vista, in my case initially the 'Home Premium Edition' - such as downloading and running their 'Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor' application; then - like me - you may subsequently be 'very upset' (to put it mildly) when the Vista Installation Program point-blank refuses to actually 'upgrade' your required system (in my case, Windows XP Pro SP3), and will only offer you a 'Clean Install' option, loosing all programmes, settings, and data etc. This is NOT an option, but... 'OK' I'll let that one go and put it down to 'experience'.

For those of you who may be interested: after much slogging around the Internet and reading of numerous bulletin-board posts, it became clear that - amongst other things - you can't actually `upgrade' from Windows XP Pro, you can only `Clean Install'!!!

It would appear that Microsoft are subtly pushing people towards the `Ultimate' Edition - with which, it was `promised' you could actually `upgrade' from Windows XP Pro to Vista.

So, I dug up the extra cash, ordered this 'Vista Ultimate' Edition - 'Upgrade' Version from Amazon - at considerable additional expense - and started once again, following Microsofts 'recommendations'.

After battling with it for two days, during which time the Windows Vista Ultimate Editions' Installation Application forced me to de-active and / or `remove' certain installed functions, facilities and services (such as `FrontPage Extensions') BEFORE it would even proceed to examine the `options' for installations; it TOO `ultimately' failed (no pun intended).

It spent 2 hours `gathering information' about my system, proceeded to `copy files' it needed from the Internet (`updates') and from the DVD, and then promptly informed that it could not find all the files it needed to proceed, and `quit' the installation there and then!!!

I verified my PC Equipment was all functioning OK - the DVD drive was operating correctly and COULD read the DVD without any issues, and it had `exclusive' use of the Broadband Internet connection through the whole installation period - and yet it too could not actually perform this `upgrade'!

Don't get me wrong `dear reader'; I am NOT a `Microsoft Basher' in any way - quite the reverse in fact; which is why I was really looking forward to moving up to Vista now (with the release of SP1 etc); but this experience has left me a little `downbeat' by the whole thing!

Bottom line: I'd assume that there isn't such a thing as an `upgrade' to Vista. If you have a `blank' system and / or you are prepared to do a `Clean Install' (in which case BE WARNED - you MUST purchase the considerably more expensive `FULL' version of your required Vista `edition' NOT the `Upgrade', which will only run FROM an existing Operating System, such as Windows 2000 or XP) - then, and perhaps ONLY THEN will you achieve your desired objective!

Of cause, that WILL take you many hours of time and effort re-installing all your Software Applications, re-configuring Internet and Email accounts, desktop settings, Favourites etc.

OR you could just do what Microsoft clearly wants you to do: buy a `new' PC with `Vista' pre-installed!!!

As for me, I'm returning both of these `Upgrade' Editions back to Amazon. and will have to start the `process' all over again, with either a `new PC' or the `Full' Version of `Vista Ultimate' and a new Hard Disk Drive.

Either way, this is far, far more costly in both time and money than the original `upgrade' promised by these products - so BEWHERE, dear reader, or you too may end up as 'disappointed' by this as I am!

I only needed to upgradefrom Vista Home Premium to Vista Ultimate because I need to be able to add Windows authentication so that I could do certain software development tasks.

The story of the upgrade was:

1) Had to remove SP2 from Vista Home Premium before I could install - You only find out about this five minutes in and after entering the Product Key
2) Had to Windows Powershell from Home Premium before I could install - only tells you this five more minutes into the process and after entering the Product Key
3) Start real install and it says that it may take "several hours". Actually took 4.5 hours before the first set of questions about date and time
4) Reboot
5) Check for updates - 61 required with a download and processing time of 3 hours
6) Reinstall SP2 - 2 hours

The net result was that I started at midday on Thursday and finished midday on Friday and that included pressing buttons late at night.

My recommendation is DO NOT BUY THIS PRODUCT.

I approached upgrading my Dell Inspiron laptop with trepidation after reading many negative reviews about Windows Vista in several forums/reviews. However, I decided to take the plunge when I spotted a copy of Vista Ultimate with SP1, Upgrade version, on Amazon Market-place for £99.95, from vic2302.

I won't pretend that the upgrade process was easy......several programmes on my PC, even those that were supposedly "Vista compatible", had to be re-installed after the upgrade in order to work properly.....including Norton Internet Security 2008. I also had to find and download several Vista compatible drivers from Dell's support website.

After dealing with these "problems" Vista works beautifully on my PC and does everything it says it can do in the Microsoft "blurb"!! It's extremely quick, especially on start-up, loading much faster than XP and has a much better and stronger wireless connection to my router??? Why, I don't know, but it's great.

Other reviewers of this product have obviously had problems but, in my case I can honestly say that Windows Vista Ultimate SP1 Upgrade has been an excellent buy and brilliant value at this price.