Upgrade Computer then install new OS or Vice Versa?

[CDdude55]

I am going to upgrade CPU to a Intel Quad Core (Q6600) and my GPU to a 8800 GTS(320mb). I currently have Windows XP but i am going to switch to Vista for DX10 when i get my 8800 and new CPU. But do i install Vista first then upgrade my PC or the other way around. BTW Which Windows Vista do i need to get if i am just switching OS's(Do i get the system builders one?)

[Ben Clarke]

It doesn't matter which one you get, but OEM is cheapest. Also, install Vista after components, eliminates any potential problems with default drivers.

[CDdude55]

Thanks for reply!

[keakar]

get full version oem and get vista premium not basic

DO NOT GET THE UPGRADE VERSION!

and plan to upgrade both at the same time since you will probably need to reinstall the OS with the changes you will make, changing the cpu usually requires a new install or it will have bugs and vista is buggy enough without adding extra bugs to it lol. good luck.

here is a great price for vista right now: http://www.memorylabs.net/miwivihopr1d.html

[CDdude55]

get full version oem and get vista premium not basic

DO NOT GET THE UPGRADE VERSION!

and plan to upgrade both at the same time since you will probably need to reinstall the OS with the changes you will make, changing the cpu usually requires a new install or it will have bugs and vista is buggy enough without adding extra bugs to it lol. good luck.

here is a great price for vista right now: http://www.memorylabs.net/miwivihopr1d.html

So i need to reinstall Vista after i upgrade? After i upgrade, it should still boot into XP so from there don't i just need to pop in the Vista CD and install it?

[keakar]

So i need to reinstall Vista after i upgrade? After i upgrade, it should still boot into XP so from there don't i just need to pop in the Vista CD and install it?

nope, once you change the cpu it wont boot untill you do a fresh install because it wont recognize the new cpu. if it does boot then windows will be buggy as hell and get bsod.

at that point you could install xp to try out the upgrades and make sure all is well. this might not be a bad idea so if you have problems after vista is installed you will at least know it all worked ok b4 vista. but then you would have to reformat again to do the new install of vista.

i was thinking since you needed to do a fresh install anyway you may as well do it all at once.

[CDdude55]

So when i upgrade my CPU and Video card it wont boot at all? or just boot into BIOS? Or what will it do?

So i have to erase all the stuff off my HDD and then install it right?

BTW if i keep Windows XP and upgrade my CPU and Video card would i have to do a fresh install of Windows XP again?

Thanks for your help!:)

[EnglishLion]

You can upgrade your vid card with no adverse effects on your OS. CPU is sometimes a problem though (having said that I upgraded an AM2 sempron to an X2 3600+ without any issues at all on XP).

If you get a new HD too then you can make your hardware upgrades and install vista to it, re-install the old drive as secondary and then transfer across anything you want to keep (docs, music etc). You install the OS by booting from the OS CD or DVD.

[AsRock]

For sure upgrade the comp 1st see how it plays get a feel for it Enjoy it some then try Vista as Vista might not be to your liking.

[CDdude55]

Thanks guys.

I don't want anything on my HD. I just hope my New CPU i want works with the OS good.

[keakar]

So when i upgrade my CPU and Video card it wont boot at all? or just boot into BIOS? Or what will it do?

So i have to erase all the stuff off my HDD and then install it right?

BTW if i keep Windows XP and upgrade my CPU and Video card would i have to do a fresh install of Windows XP again?

Thanks for your help!:)

Q - So when i upgrade my CPU and Video card it wont boot at all? or just boot into BIOS?
or what will it do?
A - you will get bios and when it gets to the operating system it will just sit there waiting.
on some occassions windows will boot but it never works properly and crashes a lot.

Q - So i have to erase all the stuff off my HDD and then install it right?
A - when you reformat it will erase everything including the motherboard drivers so make sure
you have all the updated drivers backed up on disk and of coarse back up all your files.

Q - if i keep Windows XP and upgrade my CPU and Video card would i have to do a fresh
install of Windows XP again?
A - yes, anytime you replace the cpu or change to a different motherboard, you will have to
reinstall any operating system you plan on using xp or vista it doesnt matter which one.

Thanks for your help!:) NP :toast:

[keakar]

what type of xp do you have? is it oem or retail version?

[CDdude55]

I have Windows XP Home Edition and its OEM.

[CDdude55]

What if i buy a new HD?

[FatForester]

If you buy a new hard drive, then if you want to dual boot, then install XP first, then Vista. If you just want Vista on it, I suggest partitioning it so that you don't nuke your data each time you have to reformat, and it'll make load times a little bit faster.

Technically you can keep your install of XP if you upgrade your CPU and video card. However, if you do it that way, then do one at a time, not both. I suggest just buying Vista and doing a complete reformat, because Windows will definitely be happier.

[CDdude55]

If you buy a new hard drive, then if you want to dual boot, then install XP first, then Vista. If you just want Vista on it, I suggest partitioning it so that you don't nuke your data each time you have to reformat, and it'll make load times a little bit faster.

Technically you can keep your install of XP if you upgrade your CPU and video card. However, if you do it that way, then do one at a time, not both. I suggest just buying Vista and doing a complete reformat, because Windows will definitely be happier.


I want to upgrade to Vista. But i dont want any problems when i upgrade the CPU. But if i keep XP will it run the CPU and the new Video card fine?(after i download the drivers and everything)

Or what if i upgrade the CPU and GPU then just pop in the Vista CD? and it should start up and allow me to delete partions in the setup right?