I believe full install is the only way to upgrade if you have Windows XP.
More or less. It is sort of a 'hybrid' upgrade. W7 has a tool that you use to move all of your XP files and settings to a backup location. W7 then wipes and reloads, then imports all the data back in. I believe it is only data though, you have to actually reinstall the programs.
I’ve got Vista, and the MS Upgrade analyser prg, recommends a clean install for me too, rather than a upgrade install.
Meh, I think it does so, based on an old driver file, it says needs to be replaced with a newer version, that when I click on the link that is supposed to takes me to the company site, sends me to a page that has nothing to do with drivers.
Byut over all, I think my laptop is just too old componant wisr to do anything but crawl, or walk wobbly, with 7 on it.