Formatting and Installing Windows. Or Upgrading.

Okay, my friends problem: He has Windows XP 32bit, and has downloaded Windows Vista Ultimate 64bit. The thing is, is that he doesn’t want to wipe everything he has.
So do you know if he could install Windows Vista Ultimate without wiping all his files? If he has a partitioned drive, do you think he could back everything up there, and then format C drive? Now, my problem.
How do I upgrade Windows Vista Home Basic OEM 32bit, to Windows Vista Ultimate 64bit? Is it possible without losing my files? If so, how?
Thanks in advance. :]
Answer #1
Resize the XP partition…Create a new partition and have both by doing Dual Boot..
Answer #2
Can you give me step to step guidance.. I’m not very Computer smart.
Answer #3
If the hardware is not x64 bit you cannot install a 64bit OS in a 32bit Hardware machine
If you downloaded a x86 (32bit) Operating System than:
You can backup everything in friends computer and the install windows vista it will work
and upgrade your computer to windows vista ultimate without loss any files ( but i recommend to backup everything, just for safety )
I don’t recommend to gooing with dual boot
Answer #4
Okay, so how do I upgrade from Windows Vista Home Basic 32bit to Windows Vista Ultimate 32bit without losing files?
Answer #5
put your dvd to dvd-rom chose install now chose if you want to install updates
put your product key if you have one if not then uncheck activate online and type next chose no (to enter later the product key)
chose the operating system that you want to install and check “I have selected the edition of windows that i purchased.” NEXT
Check I accept the license terms NEXT
and then chose UPGRADE and just follow the steps in wizard
Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor will help you too
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=42B5AC83-C24F-4863-A389-3FFC194924F8&displaylang=en
Answer #6
You can’t upgrade from 32 bit to 64 bit btw. You need to do a clean install.