Max

That is correct.
However, how Vista does an 'upgrade' is far different than previous Windows
versions.
It shrinks and moves {XP, for instance} out of the way, lays down a new
*image* of Vista, installs any new device drivers, etc, and then optionally
imports parts of what it tucked away of the old OS. Or optionally leaves it
all in a Windows.old folder to be viewed or deleted as the user desires. No
old 'crap' is leftover from the previous version (files, dll's registry
keys, etc) as in previous upgrade methodology.
Therefore, EVERY Vista install is "clean" without formatting the drive.

--
But that's just my opinion...I could be wrong.

Maxwell Bluemeanie

"Test Man" <testman@test.org> wrote in message
news:eiqVkYHRHHA.496@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
> From how I understand it, you can't BOOT from DVD to do a clean-install,
> cos Vista won't accept the upgrade key. You have to have a validated
> version of Windows on your machine first and launch setup from within
> this, where you will get the option to either upgrade to Vista, or clean
> the machine down to install a fresh copy of Vista.
>
> "Max" <max@home.com> wrote in message
> news:OxDLszGRHHA.4060@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
>> That depends on your definition and/or interpretation of "clean".
>> All 'upgrade' Product Keys (there are some exceptions for 64 bit) must
>> have the setup started from within a functioning, activated, previous
>> Windows qualifying version.