Upgrading to windows 7 from XP

[EvilComputer92]

So I have a Windows 7 Pro 64 bit Upgrade disc and I'm currently running Windows XP on one of my hard drives. I want to place Windows 7 on my second hard drive that I just got, and then dual boot the two operating systems. I've heard that the Windows 7 upgrade disc has some issues when installing to a new drive, so I just want to make sure what I'm getting into.

If can tell the steps necessary to upgrade, I would be grateful.

Thanks

 

[sivart]

Do you want to dual boot and retain XP or upgrade (I.e. clean install) and only have Windows 7? I'm a little confused.

I don't know what issues it would have installing to a different drive as during the install process it asks you which drive you want to install to. I would think that boot loader could handle it regardless which drive the OS's are loaded onto.

 

[Scotteq]

OP - Here's a nice tutorial on how to set up a dual boot system with XP and Win 7:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/8057-dual-boot-installation-windows-7-xp.html

 

[GullyFoyle]

I think you missed the point of the OP's question (or the future may tell that I did ), he is asking about doing a clean install with an upgrade disk.

I don't know the answer, just trying to clarify the question.

 

[Scotteq]

Oh - Sure. Paul Thurott did an article on just that subject:

http://www.winsupersite.com/win7/clean_install_upgrade_media.asp

 

[EvilComputer92]

I don't want the Windows 7 install touching the XP install. Each will be on it's own hard drive. I'm wondering if it's possible to make a separate installation with an upgrade disc

 

[JackMDS]

In other words you want to use the Upgrade disk without doing a real upgrade.

 

[EvilComputer92]

In other words you want to use the Upgrade disk without doing a real upgrade.

Yes

 

[MStele]

Well, Win7 will detect and kill the XP install when you install it, which is part of the upgrade requirements. The only way around this (which I do not advocate, considering it is against the license agreement) is to image XP, do the Win7 install, then replace the now defunct XP install with the image. The problem with this is that your XP activation is invalid with MS, so if you do anything that requires a MS handshake, such as Windows Update or pretty much anything that requires authentication will flag you and your activation will be stripped once again.

In short, yes you can do a clean install, but regardless of what you try to do XP will be sacrificed to the Microsoft Gods at some point or other, which is part of your upgrade license agreement.

Edit : If your adament about dual booting, your best bet is to just buy a full OEM version of Win 7 (costs the same as the upgrade) and do it legit.

 

[JackMDS]

If the upgrade is to Ultimate/Pro/Enterprise

Then you get a free XP Mode for Win 7 that runs as VPC.

You can then install/copy whatever stuff that you want on WinXP.

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/virtual-pc/download.aspx