Installing Windows 7 on a partition

[ehmen]

Regarding partitioning a system C: drive and installing Windows 7 on the newly created partition while leaving the Windows Vista installation and files as is where they are; is there a credible risk of messing up the computer by doing that, or is it a safe enough process?

Please advise, thank you.

[Eddy]

Nothing is ever safe
e.g. A short power dip can mess up things.
Create a image of the drive before beginning.

[ehmen]

What's the best program to use for image cloning on Vista Home Premium?

Is it more probably that installing Windows 7 on a partition will go successful or that it will mess the computer?

[=Snake=]

Hi ehmen!

You should better use an extra hdd instead of creating a new partition. While installing Windows 7 you need internet connection!
After everything you got installed, the boot manager helps you changing between your still existing Vista and Windows 7.

=Snake=

[ehmen]

It's a laptop so I can't add a HDD.

[bob3160]

It's a laptop so I can't add a HDD.

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/249275-32-hard-disks-laptop

[ehmen]

I don't know if this laptop has available slots, and I wouldn't want to open up this very old thing to check.
Is installing a OS on a partition usually successful?
Also, can you suggest the best programs for image cloning in Vista?
Thank you.

[Eddy]

- Get Clonzilla or something like that.
- Create the image
- Boot from the W7 installation medium and start installing.

Look careful what it says on the screen before clicking ok so you won't wipe the Vista partition

[bob3160]

I don't know if this laptop has available slots, and I wouldn't want to open up this very old thing to check.
Is installing a OS on a partition usually successful?
Also, can you suggest the best programs for image cloning in Vista?
Thank you.

Opening it would probably be a good thing. It'll give you a chance to get rid of the dust bunnies.

[Eddy]

Looking up the specs on the manufacturers website will also tell if there is a spare slot.
Since it is a old laptop, likely not.

[ehmen]

- Get Clonzilla or something like that.

Does it allow saving a disk image to an external hard drive? (Only CD/DVD and USB are mentioned on their website.)

[bob3160]

- Get Clonzilla or something like that.

Does it allow saving a disk image to an external hard drive? (Only CD/DVD and USB are mentioned on their website.)

Isn't that external HD a USB device If not, how are you connecting it to your system

[Eddy]

Very long power and IDE cable connected inside the laptop and connected to a hd that is placed on the other side of the room

[=Snake=]

Really nice, your fantasy.