Stuff Acronis True Image v10, or is it me?

I'm trying to set up a new bigger SATA drive for my laptop (to have first partition for XP and one for Vista). Dual boot if I succeed.

The new hard drive has been partitioned into 2. I have backup up my entire C: drive to my "W" external drive (a 160gig 3.5" drive). I then want to restore the backup from my "W" drive to my new SATA (2.5") drive on the first partition (reserved for XP Pro).

Acronos TI v10 won't let me (despite the backed up info being only 12 gigs) and me trying to restore that 12 gigs to a 20 gigs (to be XP Pro) partition.

See thumbnail.

Acronis is very helpful (?) in telling me that my disk has data on it. I know that. (doh) It is partitioned into 2 only, with no other data than partition info.

It won't allow me to proceed unless I wipe both partitions. I can then presumably restore the backup, BUT I still want to partition the new drive to allow for Vista to be installed. Can I re-partition my new hard drive into 2 partitions (WITHOUT losing my XP Pro restored info) after I allow Acronos to wipe the existing partitions and install XP Pro on the new (sole?) partition.

Am I caught in a catch-22 situation? :confused :confused Bazza

 

I am by no means an expert on Acronis, but from what I hear, v10 was a dud. Version 9 and earlier, and v11 are good though.
http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=154316
But as I reviewed that thread, I see you posted a comment... changing your tune now? LOL

I'm sure you've already been here : http://www.acronis.com/enterprise/support/kb/topics/Products/cid/101/
I wish I had more helpful info, big-b....

 

I'm half way there. I reformatted my new 2.5"drive to one partition only. I have installed Vista Home Premium Academic Upgrade.

I think I've been misled by my Vista Bible "Windows Vista annoyances". On page 11, it gives a detailed method fo installing an upgrade disk onto a clean disc.

All went well until I tried to input my product key using the tip they suggested via a Command prompt window. In the old black DOS box you had to enter various commands. MS has rejected these commands stating I am using an upgrade disk (which is true).

At a rough guess these instructions only apply to an Upgrade disk and not an "for Academic Use only" Upgrade. I will email the author of the book and state my displeasure.

Anyone who has done a clean install of an "for Academic Use only" Upgrade, or not, I'd like to hear from you. At the moment I am on the 30 day trial period. Bazza

 

How about this?
http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/winvista_upgrade_clean.asp

 

Thanks, Adrynalyne and ploddr for your replies. I have printed out Adrynalyne's link from his reply and will read it thoroughly when I log off. :cool Bazza

 

Thanks Adrynalyne, but that suggestion crashed the same as my original attempt did. It seems as though an Academic Upgrade will definitely NOT work as a Clean Install. :cry

Now I've got to figure out another way. It looks like I will have to install XP from my genuine CD and then install Vista Home Premium over it.

Any other suggestions very welcome. Bazza