Will my preinstalled programs in Windows Media Center 2005 such as Sonic DigitalMedia Home, Nortons Internet Security 2007 (well not really preinstalled), and my full version Microsoft Office 2003 Standard Ediiton still be in Vista when I upgrade it (Home Premium)?

You need to run the Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor. Then you'll know for sure.

Greetings,

Hi, I contacted Hp about this issue and they said that you will lose all data when upgrading to Vista. I looked at the upgrade adviser and found out that they tell us what programs and application will not work on Vista. This made me confused. One says that (or at least implies that) all programs and applications will be saved such as Nortons 2007 and Microsoft 2003 when upgrading to Vista and the other says that we will lose everything. . can someone clarify this out for me for I really don't want to lose any of my programs such as Microsoft Office 2003 and Nortons 2007 and even Sonic Digital Media .

Thanks to anyone who helps me

Hey phoenix_124 -

How are you performing the upgrade?

Specifically, is this one of those "express upgrades" that you are getting when you recently bought a system with XP and you were promised the Vista upgrade once Vista was released?

Hi,
Thanks for replying .

I recently boughy a HP Windows XP media center 2005 Computer and qualifyed for the HP Express Upgrade to Vista meaning I will get both a HP driver DVD and Windows Vista Home Premium. I began to start reasearching on Vista to see what awaits me, and also the problems I might encountor. This is one of them. I was thinking that my applicaiants and programs will still be there when I upgrade to Vista (didn't upgrade yet). I started to study about that. In Microsoft's website, I found that it said the I believe it said that your appliciants will be retained when upgrading to WINDOWS MEDIA CENTER 2005 to VISTA HOME PREMIUM. However, HP told me that all data will be loss . Did anyone upgraded to Vista using the upgrade paths and their applicatoins were still there once upgraded to Vista???

Thanks for the additional info, phoenix_124.

I got the Express Upgrade to Vista Premium when I bought a Gateway, so I'm not sure the upgrade methodology will be the same for you with your HP.

With my Express Upgrade, I can either:

1. Install the upgrade "over" the existing XP MCE. I'm warned, as you've mentioned, that I should run Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor (and do additional research) to determine what software and hardware problems I may encounter.

2. Run a "Custom" upgrade which will re-format my HD and install a clean version of Vista Premium.

3. Run a "Custom" upgrade and install Vista Premium in a second partition on my HD, keeping my existing copy of XP Media Center Edition.

Additionally, I was sent the Windows Vista Premium "upgrade" CD and a second CD labelled "Vista Drivers and Applications". From what I can tell by browsing this second CD, besides the obviously required video, audio, lan, etc. drivers, it includes Vista capable versions of the various software packages that were bundled with the XP MCE package, such as MS Works, MS Office Trial (which I won't load), McAfee Anti-Virus (which I won't install), etc.

So, if HP provides you a similar upgrade proceedure, you should have all of the same programs that were pre-installed on your Windows XP system, unless a particular program is not Vista capable. Hopefully, in that case, they'll provide you with an equivalent Vista program, although I'm not sure that they would absolutely be required to do so.

Hope this helps. Maybe somebody who has already gone through this HP Express Upgrade system can provide more specific info.

Great!
That is a great amount of info that I was looking for. THe last question is will the non-preinstalled programs such as MS office 2003 (full, came in CD. Worked for 3 computers though, and I'm third ) Will my non-preinstalled programs still be there when I upgrade to Vista Home Premium? Did yours?

Sorry,
I'm just confusing myself.

When you say the first option, does that mean that it will just change your OS but retain your programs, appliciants, and non-preinstalled programs???

Sorry, I'm very worried about my programs... My parents will kill me if I have to buy another CD key for MS office 2003

Yes, if you do the "in-place" upgrade, all the existing programs and data remains in place. The problem, though, is some may not be compatible with Vista, and cause problems that possibly could put you in a situation where you'll have to re-install everything.

Do you have the CD for MS Office 2003? Do you still have the CD key? If so, you should be able to re-install it on Vista.

I would suggest you wait until your get your upgrade disks, and then plan your strategy from there. You certainly could uninstall all the programs that you know are not Vista compatible and then try the in-place upgrade and install all the Vista drivers. If that gives you problems, you could then try the fresh install.

Most important - backup or copy any data files. You need to protect them before you do any of the upgrades.

Of course, we should all be backing up our data frequently, anyway.

Thank you for telling me that,
However, I do have the CD key for MS office 2003, but it can only work for 3 computers. I'm just worried if I upgrade to Vista and something goes wrong with MS Office 2003, I don't know if I can reinstall it again since my family used up the 3 computer licence...

I believe you'll still be installing it only on the third PC, so you should be OK.

OK thank you for your assistance JohnWho

It was fun working with you and my questions are completely answered

Have a nice day (and if you are in where I live) and a joyful easter!!!

Glad to be of help - that's what the board is here for.