[diamond88]

I just ordered all the parts to a new computer except the HDD. This is because the HDD I am using now is more than sufficient. The problem is that I also ordered a copy of windows vista 64. Right now I have an unupdated version of XP 32 on the harddrive (old computer). What steps should I go through to make sure everything works right.

[Hybr!d]

As you are changing 95% of the hardware the old XP install is likely to not boot, so you will need to fresh install.

[spot]

http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/win...mspx#section_8

"You cannot perform an upgrade from a 32-bit version of Windows XP to a 64-bit version of Windows Vista."

If I were you I'd back up all your user files put onto either a spare hard drive, an external hard drive or some DVDs.

You'll have to re-install any programs you want to use so check you know where to get them from.

Then you can install vista 64 and follow http://support.microsoft.com/kb/932912/en-us

It claims you'll then have a \windows.old directory and you'll be able to move all your user files out into the new installation. I'd take a deep breath but they must know what they're talking about and you've the fallback backup you took in case the article's misleading.