Windows Vista Business x32 Operating System Upgrade Installation Instructions

A. BEFORE YOU START

1. Review the complete System Requirements BEFORE INSTALLING! Does your computer meet those requirements?

See Microsoft Windows Vista Business System Requirements (on the left-hand side of the screen below Overview).

NOTE: You will need a DVD drive to install Vista from this media.

2. Know what type of installation you are going to do.

* UPGRADE - Choose to upgrade if you want to keep your files, settings, and programs and your current version of Windows can be upgraded. If your version of Windows cannot be upgraded, you'll need to install a new, or "clean," copy of Windows (see below).

Note:

Windows Vista does not support Serial Key devices. For more information, go to the Microsoft Accessibility website (www.microsoft.com/enable).

Before you begin, update your antivirus program (if needed), run it, and then disable it. After you install Windows, remember to enable the antivirus program, or install new antivirus software that works with Windows Vista.

-OR-

* CLEAN INSTALL - Install a new or clean, copy of Windows if:

Your current operating system cannot be upgraded to Windows Vista.
Your computer has no operating system installed.
You don't want to keep your existing files, settings, and programs.
You want to partition your hard disk and install Windows Vista on a specific partition.

3. BACKUP ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING you think is of importance.

4. Write down the name of your computer if you will be connected to a network.

5. Connect to the Internet. Make sure your Internet connection is working so you can get the latest installation updates. (If you don?t have an Internet connection, you can still upgrade or install Windows. But, your computer may be vulnerable to attacks if it isn't updated.)

6. Obtain anti-virus software to install after you have finished installing Vista.

7. If you have any questions not answered in this document:

* Read "What to know before installing Windows," which is linked to in the beginning of the Vista installation program.
-AND-
* Search the Microsoft Vista homepage, it has a comprehensive collection of resources to aide you.

B. INSTALL UPGRADE TO WINDOWS VISTA

1. Insert the Windows installation disc into your computer's DVD/CD drive.

2. To see if your computer can run Windows Vista, open Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor by clicking "Check compatibility online." (This step is optional.)

3. On the Install Windows page, click Install now.

4. On the Get important updates for installation page, we recommend getting the latest updates to help ensure a successful installation and to help protect your computer against security threats. You will need an Internet connection to get these updates.

5. On the Type your Product Key (located on the back of the media jacket) for activation page, enter your product key.

6. On the Please read the license terms page, if you accept the license terms, click accept the license terms.

7. On the Which type of installation do you want? page, click Upgrade.

8. Continue to follow the instructions on the installer.

C. INSTALL A NEW, OR CLEAN, COPY OF WINDOWS VISTA

READ FIRST: When you install a new, or clean, copy of Windows, your existing version of Windows, including all of your files, settings, and programs, is automatically deleted. You can back up your files and settings, but you must manually reinstall your programs when the installation is done.

1. Turn on your computer, insert the Windows installation disc into your computer's DVD/CD drive, and then do one of the following:

* If your computer already has an operating system installed and you don't want to create, extend, delete, or format partitions, go to step 2.
-OR-
* If your computer has no operating system installed, or if you want to create, extend, delete, or format partitions, you need to restart your computer while the installation disc is inserted in the DVD drive. Your computer will then start from the installation disc. If you are asked to press a key to start from DVD or CD, press any key. If the Install Windows page is displayed, go to step 2.

If the Install Windows page is not displayed and you're not asked to press a key to start from DVD or CD, you might have to specify that your computer use its DVD/CD drive as the startup device. This means that you need to set the DVD/CD drive to be the first startup device in the basic input/output system (BIOS). Check your manufacture's website for information on BIOS settings.

2. To see if your computer can run Windows Vista, open Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor by clicking "Check compatibility online." (This step is optional.)

3. On the Install Windows page, follow any instructions that appear, and then click Install now.

5. On the Type your product key for activation page, enter your product key.

6. On the Please read the license terms page, if you accept the license terms, click accept the license terms.

7. On the Which type of installation do you want? page, click Custom.

8. On the Where do you want to install Windows? page, do one of the following:

* If you don't want to install Windows on a specific partition or create partitions on your hard disk, click Next to begin the installation.

* If you want to install Windows on a specific partition and have an existing partition with enough free space, select the partition you want to use, and then click Next to begin the installation. (If you do this, be sure to install Windows on a different partition from the one where your current version of Windows is installed.)

* If you want to create, extend, delete, or format a partition, and you started Windows from the installation disc, click Drive options (advanced), click the option you want, and then follow the instructions.

* If you want to create, extend, delete, or format a partition, and you did not start Windows from the installation disc, follow the instructions in the second option of step 1 above, and then follow the instructions.

9. Continue to follow the instructions on the installer.

Sources:
"What to know before installing Windows." From Microsoft.