Pre and Post Vista Upgrade Questions URGENT

Right so i got my vista upgrade pack and i tried installing vista Ultimate 64bit but it wouldnt allow me to install it, kept saying something about that it wasnt compatible with the current OS or something, so i had to install 32bit, is there any way i can upgrade from 32bit to 64bit without using the disk, becuase i tried to install 64bit after i had installed the 32bit but it still wouldnt let me, any ideas?

Now to my most important question, after installing the 32bit of Vista i had the folder windows.old, now i got everything i needed before installing vista and i tried deleting this folder but i keep running into a problem it keeps saying that it couldnt find the folder, i managed to delete the programs part and now im just left with documents and settings folder with RAMBO in it followed by loads of other folders, i think the problem is within the folder Sports Interactive and the folder within that called installer launcher i have tried:

renaming the folders and then deleting it
tried moving to USB and then deleting it
and i have tried tune up shreeder

i have no idea how to get rid of this folder now, and its bloody annoying me please can some one help, i was thinking of downloading some software to creat a partion on the second HD and then moving the folder to that partition and then reformatting it, would this work? any ideas what software to use.

i need help as soon as possible.

thanx.

 

I don't think it lets you upgrade from 32-bit XP to 64-Bit Vista.

Also i'm not 100% sure about the licensing issues. I know if you buy a full version of Windows Vista you are entitled to 32-bit and 64-bit vista with that serial number. If you buy the upgrade pack I am assuming you are only entitled to use that CD key to update a valid install of XP 32-bit to Vista 32-bit.

I personally avoid Windows update discs and just get the full version so I can do a clean install as it's much less hassle and in my experience a smoother process.

If you get an access denied message when trying to delete the folder then it also won't let you move it to a different partition. Is it saying "the folder is currently in use or does not exist" or something along those lines?

 

Haha I see you were too "ERGENT" to spell urgent correctly.

 

64bit has to be a clean install. No upgrade installs.

 

yeah im in a rush i have to go in like 5mins and i have to do other things as well, i dont really mind about not being able to upgrade to vista 64bit im more interested in fixing the problem with the windows.old problem im having.

flipfire. it wouldt even load the disc so i couldnt even choose between clean install or upgrade.

 

If you can they try and return your upgrade version and buy a full version so you can do a clean install.

If you bought it in a shop and take it back then tell them you informed the sales advisor that you have Windows 2000 and they said it would work...but it only actually works with XP (As far as I am aware)

 

i did a clean install of vista 32bit. and i had XP the upgrade went fine, im using the computer and everything its the windows.old folder thats giving me trouble as i cant remove it no matter what i do.

 

A proper clean install wouldnt leave a windows.old folder.

 

what? god sake i told it to do a clean install.
any ideas of what i can do to get rid of the folder.

 

how about boot to safe mode and try from there ?

 

okay ill try that, as i have done that yet. thanx how do i do that, i get the option to boot in safe mode when something goes wrong how do i make it boot into safe mode when everything is fine? im guessing its in the BIOS but where?

any other ideas?

 

You probably didnt format the drive when you were installing it. It should have given you a warning that your older files will be stored at windows.old, you must have ignored this by accident.

Format the drive, wipe it clean and start over again.

 

press f8 while booting

 

how will that work, if Vista needs to be already installed for me to upgrade?

 

Good luck on that. Even if that was to have actually happened, most places that sell software have a no-refund, no-return policy.

They'd refer you to the creator, aka, Microsoft.

 

one more :

- Click start
- Type: cleanmgr
- Press enter
- Select files from all users on this computer

You should be able to remove windows.old using this utility.

 

the install went fine, i am abit annoyed that i couldnt load vista 64bit but ill get over it its windows.old that im having trouble with as it will not delete would moving it to a new partition and then reformatting that partition work? so i dont have to reinstall everything. i theink reformmating the whole HD wont work as i then wouldnt have XP on it as its an upgrade version i need XP installed, dont i?

thanx royk50, ill try that as well.

 

if you search google properly, there is a way to install the upgrade vista as a clean install

 

yeah i know. but i completly forgot about it, all the above suggestions didnt help, ive had to hide it until i can find away to remove it.