A clean install is always the best way to go, regardless of the OS.
You'll probably be ABLE to upgrade, but you'll have fewer problems overall
if you don't.
I'd do a fresh install, add-in any "must have" utilities, and Ghost the
image. That way, you'll have a simple recovery should your HD take a dive.
"Paul" <Paul@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:71887BBD-843F-4DF2-96C4-58515F2967FD@microsoft.com...
>I just installed RC1 on my new system to try it out, and see if it works
>with
> all my applications and programs. I am just wondering how far I should go
> with my testing, and how many programs I should install, in the event that
> I
> will have to do it all over again when Vista goes Gold and public, which I
> hear will be this January.
>
> So, will I need to trash everything, reformat, and reinstall with Gold, or
> will I be able to upgrade from Beta to Gold and save all my programs,
> data,
> and settings?
>
> --
> Paul