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Other => General Topics => Topic started by: BRANDONN2008 on January 12, 2010, 02:49:47 AM
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I've been searching Google but everyone says to do a different thing. Some say I need to format first, some say I create a new partition, some say I can install it over Vista but not if it wipes Vista off. Here's my situation so you can decide what I should do.
First, I only have one hard drive, a 250GB. Right now it has 1 partition with Windows Vista installed. I don't want to do an upgrade, I want to have a fresh OS, Windows 7 Professional 64x. I want no remnants of Vista on there, since I've used registry cleaners and some stuff might be messed up, and I want the computer to run like it's new. What do I have to do?
Thank you.
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brandonn2008 this may be of some help to you, Easy Transfer for transferring from Windows Vista (32 bit) to Windows 7 http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=09d80814-2a73-4245-a63b-8e780d0430cb&displaylang=enWindows or this, Windows Easy Transfer for transferring from Windows Vista (64 bit) to Windows 7 , http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=30C4DA6D-0522-4D28-AAC3-CE9D70AC6A6A&displaylang=en
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Thank you but I already keep my important files backed up on a USB drive. I simply want to overwrite everything and install Windows 7. Since I have only one hard drive, I can't transfer anything from one computer to another.
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Another question. I'm planning to wait until I can assemble a new PC with a new motherboard, a Phenom II X4 processor, but the same PSU, hard drive, DVD ROM, video card, and stuff, but I was wondering if installing Windows 7 now with my current Intel Pentium D processor would affect the transition to the new CPU and motherboard.
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Another question. I'm planning to wait until I can assemble a new PC with a new motherboard, a Phenom II X4 processor, but the same PSU, hard drive, DVD ROM, video card, and stuff, but I was wondering if installing Windows 7 now with my current Intel Pentium D processor would affect the transition to the new CPU and motherboard.
Hi Brandon...
I haven't looked up the Windows 7 EULA specifically and how it may (or may not) differ from Vista or XP's, but I believe that whether your version of Windows 7 is retail or OEM will determine if you can do what you are asking. Please see this (http://www.computerforum.com/162215-windows-7-oem-vs-retail.html) forum for further details. :)
May God bless you :)
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I believe my Windows 7 is retail. I got it through Academic Alliance, someone has probably heard of it. Basically I get a free copy of Windows 7 for being in certain CS classes in college. It says on their website I can install it and use the key they gave me and if I need another one I have to talk to my teacher and stuff, but it didn't say I'm limited to one machine, I just have one key.
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but it didn't say I'm limited to one machine, I just have one key.
Hi Brandon...
All end user versions of Windows are limited to one machine using one key, only corporate versions are a bit different. ;)
Did your copy come in a box with documentation?
God bless :)
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No. I downloaded it from their site.
Also, I think I found the answer to my initial question from the last place I would expect...Microsoft.com.
It said something about not being able to upgrade from a 32bit to a 64bit, you have to do a clean install or custom installation, which I wanted to do anyway. And my second question about installing and and changing the processor and stuff doesn't matter because my current processor can't support 32bit OSs.
I guess the only remaining question is about how to install Windows 7 with a clean install with only my one hard drive to work with.
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I guess the only remaining question is about how to install Windows 7 with a clean install with only my one hard drive to work with.
Reboot your system, with the DVD insert in your drive and follow directions. :) Be sure to hit "any Key" to boot from CD/DVD
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And there is an option for it to overwrite everything when installing?
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First defragment your hard disk using Windows defrag utility, or Defraggler; or Auslogics Defrag tool (all freeware)
Then check how much free Gb space you have
Then create 1 extra partition on your hard disk using Paragon or Easeus partitioning freeware, with enough Gb to store your data, and not bigger then the above calculated free space
Then move all your data, being non-progam files, to that 2nd partition. Dont forget your browser bookmarks, emails, and calendar stuff, which is usually saved in the c/program/... folders.
Then insert Win 7 install disk and choose some kind of custom install option where you are able to choose the partition you will be installing Win 7 on. Obviously choose partition 1, being the one without the data on!
(Even more safe wold be to also take a backup of your data to an external drive or DVDs, in case somethig goes wrong during install)
brgds,
mack
Edit: now i see that you actually specifically want to overwrite everything, and not prevent some data to be overwritten.... Well; then make sure, at install, to make sure you choose the install option with the word 'format' in it
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And there is an option for it to overwrite everything when installing?
you said you had all your data backed up already on USB sticks right ? in that case, delete all partitions present on the disk...I think you got only one so this shouldn't be a lot of work ;D >>> then create at least two partitions, one for Windows, minimum 50 GB, and the rest for storing data. These will be C: and D: Choose C: as the partition where you want to install Windows and launch the setup ;)
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And there is an option for it to overwrite everything when installing?
you said you had all your data backed up already on USB sticks right ? in that case, delete all partitions present on the disk...I think you got only one so this shouldn't be a lot of work ;D >>> then create at least two partitions, one for Windows, minimum 50 GB, and the rest for storing data. These will be C: and D: Choose C: as the partition where you want to install Windows and launch the setup ;)
Exactement
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Thank you everyone. I'll give this a go when I get all my computer parts.
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then create at least two partitions, one for Windows, minimum 50 GB, and the rest for storing data. These will be C: and D: Choose C: as the partition where you want to install Windows and launch the setup
Unless you have a specific reason to partition your hard drive, I'd simply install it on C:\ Drive. That way you don't always have to keep track of how much space you still have available on your C:\ Drive.
It also makes it easier for the default folder setup because most programs look to install on drive C:\.
Again, your choice. (I know image backup's are easier if you partition your drive but every thing else becomes a pain.)
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then create at least two partitions, one for Windows, minimum 50 GB, and the rest for storing data. These will be C: and D: Choose C: as the partition where you want to install Windows and launch the setup
Unless you have a specific reason to partition your hard drive, I'd simply install it on C:\ Drive. That way you don't always have to keep track of how much space you still have available on your C:\ Drive.
It also makes it easier for the default folder setup because most programs look to install on drive C:\.
Again, your choice. (I know image backup's are easier if you partition your drive but every thing else becomes a pain.)
recommending a newbie to not partition his drive is the worse advice you can give Bob ::) ... that's exactly how they all lose their data (documents, pics, videos etc...) when a Windows reinstall is required, and formatting drive C: is seriously advised... and that's exactly how most OEMs pre-installed Windows a couple of years ago, an absolute disaster. Some have changed their ways fortunately. Running a complete system on one partition is suicidal, and stupid. Oh btw, I advised him to install Windows on C: and nowhere else. What sort of pain did you experience on a partitioned hard disk if I may ask ??? ::) ...another thing, image backup should be done on an external drive, not another partition, that's not what they're for (partitions :D ).
I guess you knew I was going to react like that, as you noticed a few months ago I posted something similar on Comodo forums right ? and you told me it wasn't nice to tell people who lost data after the CAV disaster that they should have partitioned their HDD... would it be nicer to lose the data again? what's the plan ?
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Logos,
I believe I said users choice. My personal choice is to not partition. It's a royal pain.
I think I've been on computers for a while. I've never lost any data but, I do regular backups. :)
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I prefer not to comment this ::) been on computers for a while and considering partitioning is a pain...OK ;D there's not much to add.
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recommending a newbie to not partition his drive is the worse advice you can give Bob ::) ... that's exactly how they all lose their data (documents, pics, videos etc...)
I'm not too worried about this as I back up those files every day on a USB drive.
...another thing, image backup should be done on an external drive, not another partition, that's not what they're for (partitions :D ).
Sadly, I'm too poor to get an external HDD, so I wouldn't be able to do an image backup anyway. :(
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I'm not too worried about this as I back up those files every day on a USB drive
and that's the easier way so go for it ;D , that's your system, that's your call 8)
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I'm not too worried about this as I back up those files every day on a USB drive.
Sadly, I'm too poor to get an external HDD, so I wouldn't be able to do an image backup anyway. :(
If you have a good Internet connection (that does not cost more as much as you use) you can try Mozy online backup.
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Final question probably.
I know I can't upgrade from Vista 32bit to Windows 7 64bit which is ok. Do I need to format my drive and then install Windows 7, or will it do that during installation?
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Final question probably.
I know I can't upgrade from Vista 32bit to Windows 7 64bit which is ok. Do I need to format my drive and then install Windows 7, or will it do that during installation?
Formatting is one of the options offered to you when installing the new OS.
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Thank you so much everyone! Now I just have to wait God-knows-how-long, before I can visit my Dad and get my other parts!