Win 7 "upgrade" from Win XP - data files?

[Bonesdad]

About to do clean install of Win 7 to "upgrade" my WinXP main computer. I have WinXP installed on C:, but almost all of my data is on logical partitions D: and E:

I plan to back up the whole works, but I'm OK formatting C: and leaving my data on D: and E: alone, right? Win 7 install won't mess with the D: and E: partitions, correct?

Thanks!

 

[JackMDS]

If you have clean partition that is 20GB or more it will install Win 7 on it without touching the other partitions.

But (as you mentioned) have a backup on an external drive of every thing.

 

[Soundmanred]

I would suggest unplugging the drives other than the OS drive.
During my install (and others I have read about) It may install things to other drives and eroors will result (can't find operating system, etc).
Better to be safe and unplug them until you're done installing Win7.
Not sure if it may consider partitions as other drives or not.
I have three drives other than my OS drive and for some reason it installed things to two of them. I ended up having to reinstall Win7.

 

[Bonesdad]

If you have clean partition that is 20GB or more it will install Win 7 on it without touching the other partitions.

But (as you mentioned) have a backup on an external drive of every thing.

My hard drive is 640GB, the OS (C Drive) is 60GB of that. The other 2 drives split the difference. I will be backing up everything, but I'd rather not have to restore anything. Chances are, I won't have to, but wanted to get some reassurance!

 

[GodlessAstronomer]

Why is "upgrade" in quotes?

 

[Soundmanred]

Why is "upgrade" in quotes?

Because going from XP is more of a full install than an upgrade?

 

[corkyg]

Do yourself a favor and move your data to a separate external HDD. A virtual drive/partition can't be "unplugged." XP to 7 is essentially a clean install.

 

[Bonesdad]

Because going from XP is more of a full install than an upgrade?

ayup...gotta dump everything...hopefully not my data, but I'll have a backup in case something goes horribly wrong. This is one big reason I partitioned my data off to begin with!

I've got a couple of old 160GB drives laying around to dump my data into (at least the important stuff - guess it's time to buy a new external drive that can handle all of it). I'll assume the C: wipe and Win 7 install will go smoothly and I won't have to restore my data, but I'll be set if I do.

Thanks for the hand holding!

 

[JackMDS]

Why is "upgrade" in quotes?

I do not know why the P put it in Quote, but at time I do the same.

When upgrading to Win 7 there are two types of Upgrade.

1. An upgrade that is just a matter of price. I.e. it is not an installation on top of the OS that maintains files and applications. It is just a less expensive Win 7 product because you already have a qualified OS..

2. In Place Upgrade. In case of Vista you actually install Win 7 on top of Vista, preserving data and applications.

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