How best to install Vista Ultimate on a new computer

I have a brand new Dell computer right out of the box. It was purchased with
Windows Vista Basic. I have also separately purchased Windows Vista Ultimate
and I want to install it on this new computer.

What is the best approach to accomplish this task? Should I start up the
new Dell computer and have it go through its Windows Vista Basic setup then
upgrade to Vista Ultimate? Or should I start by inserting the Windows Vista
Ultimate disk and do a clean install? I prefer to keep my software
installations as simple as possible and I’m not interested in any of the Dell
“extras” that might come with the new computer.

Loren wrote:

> I have a brand new Dell computer right out of the box. It was purchased
> with
> Windows Vista Basic. I have also separately purchased Windows Vista
> Ultimate and I want to install it on this new computer.
>
> What is the best approach to accomplish this task? Should I start up the
> new Dell computer and have it go through its Windows Vista Basic setup
> then upgrade to Vista Ultimate? Or should I start by inserting the Windows
> Vista
> Ultimate disk and do a clean install? I prefer to keep my software
> installations as simple as possible and I?m not interested in any of the
> Dell ?extras? that might come with the new computer.
>

It really depends on how you ordered your Dell. If it doesn't have a
recovery partition, do the following:

1. Go to Dell's tech support website for your model computer and download
all the most current drives and software (such as the Desktop/Laptop
Utilities software). Put on a USB thumbdrive or burn to CD-R as you wish.

2. Do a clean install of Windows Vista Ultimate. Install all the
drivers/software you previously downloaded afterwards, starting with the
chipset.

I'm assuming this is a full retail Ultimate and not an upgrade.

If it *does* have a recovery partition, then I would start up the machine
and follow their instructions as to how to make physical recovery disks
(assuming you didn't get any). Now you'll be able to restore the machine to
factory condition - which is what is covered under warranty - in case you
need to return it. I would also think about leaving the recovery partition
alone, but this is really up to you and you know best how you use the
computer. For those of us who regularly image our systems, the recovery
partition is just wasted space.

In any case, I always leave the small Dell Diagnostic partition intact.

Malke