installation advice

Like a lot of people, I have made the upgrade to Microsoft Windows Vista thanks to the Consumer Preview program. What made this participation a little different was the fact that I was able to do it without paying any money. (OK I DID get myself a new PC for the experience, but I did not give any $ to Microsoft (well not yet))
I had participated in both the windows 98 and the Windows XP programs and found them quite an enjoyable experience.
With Windows 98, there was just one CD of Beta 3. You ordered it ,and when it arrived in the mail, you just installed it and ran it. There were some separate private beta newsgroups in which you had to access using a password. I installed 98 Beta as an Upgrade to 95 and actually installed 98's GM OVER the beta. I did end up reformatting a few months later, but it was not for the reason of GM code being installed over beta code.
The Windows XP Consumer preview was different. The cost for ordering the initial Beta CD was lower than that of 98,and because I had a broadband connection. I chose the download option for the Release Candidates. The versions offered in that programs' Consumer preview were Beta 3, RC1,and RC2. Many folks who chose the CD option ended up getting the RC1 prior to it being available for download. Everyone had to download RC2.
I had just gotten a new PC at that time and my sound card was not compatible. However, my brother in law was able to set me up with an XP compatible sound card (at the cost of the dial up modem included within the older sound card) so I was good to go there. Once again I upgraded to Beta 3 from Windows Me (The original PC had 98SE),RC1 from Beta 3 and Rc2 from RC1 though I did do a clean install of XP Gold Master.
With the Windows Vista, I did do a separate partition ,and like the idea of having two Operating Systems to work with as some programs I use are not compatible with windows Vista. This also enables me to keep Office 2007 and Works 8.5 (as it seems these two programs are not compatible with each other (Works 8.5 on the XP partition and Office 2007 on the Vista partition))
Here is my advice on how to do a successful upgrade to Windows Vista.
1) Download and run the windows Vista upgrade advisor! This is a must as it will let you know how your system will function under Vista and what drivers you may need. (In my case it said AOL would not be compatible, and my modem would need a new driver, but one would be available at Microsoft Update.)
2) Set up a separate partition for windows Vista. (I use the Administrative tools within the control Panel) Others may use a third party program ,such as Partition Magic. This partition should contain at least 40 gigs. (I use 50 myself) - Label this partition as "Windows Vista" . Make sure to format this drive in NTFS format.
3) Back up ALL YOUR DATA FILES! =Documents, music files, ect.
4) Have your Windows Vista DVD ready . (I am assuming you have either downloaded it or ordered it) along with the 25 character product key.
5) Copy all files from the DVD to a separate folder ( I have a separate partition JUST for this.)
6) Run SETUP from within XP from this folder. Choose a New Installation and install to the drive that you have labeled "Windows Vista"
Installation should take about an hour or so.
Make sure that you activate windows and that you download and install Office 2007 from within Vista