How do I change XP to VISTA?

I have XP on my Gateway Desktop, I want to install VISTAHow do I change XP to VISTA?
You're going to have performance issues if you do. You're better off sticking with XP.



You've got two options:



1) If you purchased Vista with an XP downgrade license (I don't think Gateway offers this, though), you can upgrade using the software provided.



2) Buy a Vista upgrade license. You can usually get these (more) cheaply online through places such as softchoice.com than a retailer, so try to get it online if you can. If you're doing this for a charitable organization, check out techsoup.com as well...they offer insane not-for-profit discounts on software, and it's totally legit (Microsoft told me about it a few years back.)How do I change XP to VISTA?
buy the vista disc

Duh
You are better off with xp. but if you want vista, you need to clean your pc. wipe your hard drive. to do this. you can go to google. search wipe my hard drive. download the program. follow directions. once you have done this. reboot your pc. make sure it is clean. you should only see a blue screen. it will say no os found. insert your vista cdr. it will load automatically. just follow the instructions as it loads. when you are done. you will have vista. reboot your pc. and you are all set.
Better Window 7 than VISTA
U will need a VISTA DVD, U can purchase it for your own licensed version. And its better to purchase one. You need to boot the Computer with VISTA DVD and u can have two options : 1. Complete Formatting and then Installing fresh VISTA. 2. U can upgrade XP to VISTA. And if u are willing to transform ur PC, then purchase a ULTIMATE edition, so that u can have a lot of stuffs.



Installing a VISTA SYSTEM is very easy work, its installer and setup is a GUI, so that u can install it with simple steps.
1. save all your documents to an external drive or flash drive



2. write down all the devices connected to your pc brand name and model number eg printer HP desk jet 845C



3 write down all the internal devices on your computer located in device manager ( click start then run and type ';devmgmt.msc'; -without the quotation marks) expand the display adapters plus sign network adapters and sound and video game controllers so you can get the correct driver to work with those devices in vista-



download the correct drivers that will works with Windows vista and burn it onto a cd- usually what i recommend is just downloading one driver - the ethernet NIC driver and after windows is finished installing install your anti virus then the network driver and go online and let vista get the rest of the drivers for itself-.



vista will choose out the best device driver available from the manufacturer and automatically install it.

vista will also come with drivers so most likely you will not have to go looking for drivers!



you may have to upgrade your memory and video card in order to run windows vista at least 2 Gb of memory is recommended and the minimum is a 256MB video card



also get an anti virus that works with windows vista- i recommend NOD 32



4 do any BIOS updates before proceeding to install vista- update BIOS for OEM activation



5.get a branded gateway windows vista disc home premium 32 bit ( to use 64 bit you must have 64bit hardware inside your pc ) insert it into the pc and reboot the pc with the disc inside the computer.



if you cannot get a branded gateway windows vista 32bit home premium disc you will have to purchase a RTM one with the CD key.



6. press any key when prompted and follow instructions to install a clean copy of vista



if you did step 4 BIOS updates ( if there were any) and you used a gateway branded windows vista disc from step 5, it WILL NOT ASK to type in a 25 digit product key- OEM activation takes place



if you purchased a RTM copy of windows vista it will prompt you to enter the CD KEY.



after successfully installing windows vista install your anti virus and your network card driver- go online update your anti virus and update windows - window will find most if not all your drivers automatically and install them for you.



connect back your external drive with your files - scan it for viruses once it's clean copy it back onto your computer.



connect back your external devices printer scanner webcam and let vista find drivers for them. if vista cannot find drivers you will have to go to the manufacturer site and manually download and install them.

easy as pie
vista has been outmoded by windows 7. it is not available anymore in retail outlets except through 3rd party internet stores. you would be looking for a vista upgrade or maybe a full retail package. you are really better off doing a fresh install with a full package.



people have complained a lot about vista's resource hogging and inability to give memory to apps like photoshop. even with 7GB RAM it still gobbles it all up. supposedly 7 is better, though it does have a bigger minimum system requirement.



you would be legally eligible for retail packages, not OEM.

before you install any upgrade, max out your RAM and install an upgraded video card (directx 9 at least preferably directx10 for vista and directx11 for 7.



and make sure your power supply can handle the video card (add 80W to the recommended wattage)
Back up your important files onto a removable disk. You shouldn't lose any information in a simple upgrade, but play it safe by backing up your important files.





Place the Vista installation disk in the appropriate drive and look for the product key or activation code in your Vista material.





Choose the ';Standard'; installation option when the menu pops up on your screen.





Enter the activation code, fill out the registration page and accept terms and conditions in the licensing agreement when prompted.





Start the installation and answer questions regarding your preferences for the new Vista upgrade.