Installing Windows Vista

To upgrade to Windows Vista

• 
  Windows Vista does not support Serial Key devices. If you are upgrading and you currently use Serial Keys with an alternative input device, you must turn off Serial Keys and install another input option before the upgrade. To turn off Serial Keys in Windows XP, open Accessibility Options in Control Panel. On the General tab, under Serial Key devices, clear the Use Serial Keys check box. For more information, go to the Microsoft Accessibility website (www.microsoft.com/enable).
  
• 
  You cannot start, or “boot,” your computer from the Windows Vista upgrade disc.
  

1. 
   Insert the Windows installation disc into your computer's DVD or 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 for activation page, we strongly suggest that you type your 25-character product key to help avoid problems during activation.
   
6. 
   On the Please read the license terms page, if you accept the license terms, click I accept the license terms.
   
7. 
   On the Which type of installation do you want? page, click Upgrade.
   
8. 
   Continue to follow the instructions.
   

To install a new, or “clean,” copy of Windows Vista

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.
  

1. 
   Turn on your computer, insert the Windows installation disc into your computer's DVD or 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.
  
• 
  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 or CD 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 or CD drive as the startup device. This means that you need to set the DVD or CD drive to be the first startup device in the basic input/output system (BIOS). Here's how to do that:
  

1. 
   Turn on your computer, insert the Windows installation disc, and then restart your computer.
   
2. 
   Newer computers usually display a startup or "boot” menu. On the startup menu, select "BIOS setup," or "BIOS settings," or something similar, and then press the appropriate key when prompted to display the BIOS setup screen.
   

1. 
   On the BIOS setup screen, select the option called “Boot order,” or something similar.
   
2. 
   Select your DVD or CD drive as the first startup device.
   
3. 
   Restart your computer, and then start Windows from the installation DVD or CD as previously described.
   
1. 
   To see if your computer can run Windows Vista, open Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor by clicking “Check compatibility online.” (This step is optional.)
   
2. 
   On the Install Windows page, follow any instructions that appear, and then click Install now.
   
3. 
   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.