problem installing vista ultimate x64

hi,

I bought Dell XPS M1530 with vista home premium 32-bit installed.
Now I'm trying to upgrade it to vista ultimate 64 bit.
The problem is that I can't run the install. When I insert the ultimate DVD and select boot from DVD-Drive, the computer continues uploading the windows home premium.
When I use the same DVD with my desktop (windows xp pro), than it starts the ultimate install with no problems.
How can I install the vista ultimate 64 bit over the home premium 32 bit ?

Thanks,
Ariel

 

well, look for the bootorder.

in the bios the bootorder can be manipulated.
actually it should be :

1. Cdrom / Dvdrom
2. Internal Hdd
3. USB

if for some reason your bootorder is not set correct and the internal hdd is set as first or even only bootdevice you will not be able to boot from the DVD.

so check the bios first

 

Can you boot to other DVD's/CD's using the F12 boot menu on the M1530? Is the x64 DVD an actual commercial DVD, or a burned DVD?

If you can boot to other DVD's on the M1530 (and the x64 DVD is a burned DVD rather than a commercial DVD) what I'd try is to re-burn the DVD at the slowest possible speed. It may be that the DVD drive on your desktop is just a bit better at reading a borderline DVD than the drive on the M1530.

I don't think you can install x64 over the top of a 32-bit install. Even if you could, that sounds like a bad idea indeed.

He's got a boot menu option on the M1530. He hits F12 and selects the boot device from a menu. So he's hitting F12, selecting the DVD Drive, and it's still booting to the Windows install on the HD.

 

You need to boot to the DVD for it to be able to reinstall. You won't be able to install it over the current OS, it will be a completely fresh install.