win7 clean install question

[LongTimePCUser]

I am running Vista 32 bit and plan to do a clean install of Windows 7 64 bit.

Is it possible to do the clean install without formatting the existing C-Drive partition where Win 7 will be installed?

I do expect that I will have to re-install all programs. I will run Win7 Easy Transfer first to save program settings and data.

But, I would prefer to preserve the file contents of the C-Drive just in case.

Yes, I will do a complete backup to a network drive first.
I do have a second large hard drive where I will copy all (or most) of my files before I do the Win 7 install.

 

[Billb2]

Without a format, W7 will complain bitterly about putting itself on a partition where there is already another MS OS.
And, if you don't set up dual booting, all of Vista will still be there, but unacceptable.

While there are workarounds, either an upgrade install or a format and clean install will serve you best.

 

[tomt4535]

You could always make an image of your vista 32 install with something like norton ghost or acronis true image if you are worried you will lose something. If the Win7 install screws things up, or you forgot something, just put that image back on the disk and you are right back where you left off.

 

[abaez]

You could also make a separate partition and copy your C drive to there. Then install W7 to the C drive and you'll have your other backup ready for what you need.

 

[LongTimePCUser]

I am concerned that an upgrade install will bring over stuff from the registry that I would reduce long term stability of the system.

What are the workarounds that you mentioned?

Originally posted by: Billb2
Without a format, W7 will complain bitterly about putting itself on a partition where there is already another MS OS.
And, if you don't set up dual booting, all of Vista will still be there, but unacceptable.

While there are workarounds, either an upgrade install or a format and clean install will serve you best.

 

[LongTimePCUser]

I will have an Acronis image backed up to a network drive at home and will probably copy most files to an existing D drive.

 

[Billb2]

Originally posted by: LongTimePCUser
I am concerned that an upgrade install will bring over stuff from the registry that I would reduce long term stability of the system.

What are the workarounds that you mentioned?

Originally posted by: Billb2
Without a format, W7 will complain bitterly about putting itself on a partition where there is already another MS OS.
And, if you don't set up dual booting, all of Vista will still be there, but unacceptable.

While there are workarounds, either an upgrade install or a format and clean install will serve you best.

1. Boot a DOS disk and delete everything on the C dive (after saving what you want), then do a full W7 install.

2 Use a third party partitioning program (Partition Magic?) and set up a new partition. Install W7 to it, and use EasyBCD/BCDedit to fix the boot loader. Then delete Vista.

But as others are saying, just save what you want, format and do a clean install.

 

[13Gigatons]

This thread is filled with misinformation:

1. Windows 7 64 bit doesn't need the C drive to be re-formatted to install.

2. Any old installations of Windows not compatible will have the folders renamed with .old appended, windows.old, programs.old, etc

3. Your files will remain intact on the drive unless you choose the format option during install.

4. Backup anyways just in case.

 

[Billb2]

Originally posted by: 13Gigatons
This thread is filled with misinformation:

1. Windows 7 64 bit doesn't need the C drive to be re-formatted to install.

We know that, but the OP asked how to do a clean install w/o a format.
And the only way to approximate that is to manually delete everything on the drive.

 

[LongTimePCUser]

13Gigatons & Billb2,
I am confused by your answers.

13G said:
"2. Any old installations of Windows not compatible will have the folders renamed with .old appended, windows.old, programs.old, etc "

Does this happen on a clean install?
In other words, does a clean install of 64 bit over 32 bit vista preserve the content of the file system?

Billb2 said:
"We know that, but the OP asked how to do a clean install w/o a format.
And the only way to approximate that is to manually delete everything on the drive. "

This sounds different than what 13G said.

 

[corkyg]

You can also achiedve a very elegant solution by getting another HDD. Leave your existing system alone (in case you need something now) and put the 64 bit clean on a new drive. If you use mobile racks, then you can simply boot to different OS's with the twist of a key switch.

Rack

 

[Radeon962]

Originally posted by: corkyg
You can also achiedve a very elegant solution by getting another HDD. Leave your existing system alone (in case you need something now) and put the 64 bit clean on a new drive. If you use mobile racks, then you can simply boot to different OS's with the twist of a key switch.

Rack

If you do that would you just:

1. Install new HD and hook up cables
2. Install Win 7 on new HD
3. Shutdown and hook up cables to old HD
4. Copy files over from old HD to new HD as needed?

There would be no problem with the old boot partition or anything like that being potentially recognized on the old HD when hooked back up on SATA 1/2/3 assuming new HD is on SATA 0? I'm assuming it would just look at the new HD as the primary and the old HD as nothing more than a secondary drive?

That was my game plan, so I'm hoping that it works that easy. Taking the opportunity to switch to Win 7 and upgrade my 2nd machine to WD Black 640GB and turn my current system disk into a backup driver.

Thanks, Bill