Hi..

So I got my Vostro 1000 with a 64bit AMD processor. At the time I tht it might be best to stick with the tested and tried XP (its better to be with the devil you know then the devil you don't know) so I ordered Dell to install XP. However I am one of those adventurous sort :D and it didnt take me long to start thinking of going Vista.. (my system supports it.. i have already dl and run the upgrade adviser from MS site) I have also bought Vista Ultimate edition :P :P cost a fortune so I'm hoping its worth it and asked also MS to send me 64 bit version. Which they did.

OK.. so before I continue... I do NOT need advice on booting side by side... not possible as its my PC and only I use it.. i do NOT need 2 OS so dont bother telling me to install side by side.. NOW.. I have already backed-up all my data and want to install Vista..

So the questions i have are..

a) is it better to upgrade XP to Vista or format the harddisk and clean install Vista?
b) can i format the harddisk on my Vostro1000? I mean does this affect Dell Diagnotics software?
c) if i upgrade.. can i del the i386 folder that came with win XP? What will be the result of me deleting this folder before installing Vista?
d) if for example it doesn't work out for me and i want to return to XP.. if i have deleted the i386 folder for example can i use the system restore that came with Dell and resets the system to factory settings?

Hope thats not too much to ask.. but i want to be 100% knowledgeable before i start the process.