Moving to Windows 7

enigma1944 · Sep 26, 2009

Thanks for the info

bassfisher6522 · Sep 26, 2009

SGT Oddball said:
Most consumers will experience Windows 7 one of two ways, either by upgrading their existing PC or by purchasing a PC with Windows 7 preloaded. At work, most of our business customers have their own in-house IT support (or a dedicated partner that they work with) to deploy new versions of Windows.

For the customers that want to upgrade their own PC (and have experience installing Windows), an overview of the process is provided below.

For customers running Windows Vista:

Once Windows 7 is available on October 22nd, customers will be able to upgrade from their current edition of Windows Vista to a corresponding edition of Windows 7. For example, it is fairly straightforward to upgrade from Windows Vista Home Premium to Windows 7 Home Premium or from a 32-bit version of Windows Vista to a 32-bit version of Windows 7. The process involves inserting the appropriate Windows 7 installation disc, running the setup program, and choosing the “Upgrade” installation option. An Upgradeis the fastest and easiest type of installation and will preserve your files, settings, and programs.

For customers running Windows XP:

Customers who wish to upgrade from Windows XP to Windows 7 will need to follow a different upgrade process due to the changes in PCs since the introduction of Windows XP in 2001. To upgrade from Windows XP to Windows 7 you must first determine if your PC meets the minimum system requirements using the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor. Assuming it meets the requirements, you can install Windows 7 using the “Custom” installation option. A custom installation does not preserve your files, settings or programs so you need to first back up your data to an external drive and re-install your programs once installation has completed.

If you are upgrading from Windows XP to Windows 7 and installing it yourself, we have detailed step-by-step instructions here.

If you are a business customer, please note that there are other migration options for you that include a broad range of deployment tools and guidance to assist your migration to Windows 7. This also includes solutions to assess application and hardware compatibility. Please visit the Springboard Series.

For customers who want to upgrade to Windows 7:

We’ve received a lot of questions from our customers about getting Windows 7 before October 22nd. While you won’t be able to go into a store and purchase a copy until then, you can take advantage of our pre-order option which is available now via the Microsoft Online Store as well as a variety of participating retailers. If you’re an eligible college student, you can also take advantage of a sweet deal on Windows 7 for $29.99 by visiting 741. And, if you have multiple PC’s at home, then on October 22nd for a limited time, you’ll be able to get the Windows 7 Family Pack Offer, which will provide 3 Upgrade Licenses for $149.99. Look for more details on this soon.

For more information on moving to Windows 7, I suggest you read our Windows 7 Upgrade FAQ which answers many of the commonly asked questions regarding moving to Windows 7.

More...

I'm looking forward to upgrading to the new OS.

Submarine · Sep 26, 2009

So, what do I do best if I like to install W7 64 bit and keep my current X86 Vista OEM? Also like to go from current 640 GB in Raid 0 to (2x) 1 TB in Raid 1. The OEM issue makes it more difficult, I fear. Suggestions?

lemur · Sep 26, 2009

Switch to raid 1, create dual boot, install both OS.

Submarine · Sep 26, 2009

I guess my OEM disk would make it necessary to have Vista as the first partition?

whs · Sep 26, 2009

I am in a similar situation. I want to keep my Vista and also run W7. I decided to make a completely independent W7 installation on an SSD (beats any Raid). During the W7 installation I physically disconnect the HDDs. That way, Vista and W7 do not get into each other's hair on the boot record. Then I switch between the 2 systems with the BIOS boot sequence. Worked well with the build 7600 - but for the real thing I will have to buy a full W7 system - the cheap upgrade package will not work. The same scenario would work with 2 HDDs - each one with it's own independent OS.

Submarine · Oct 13, 2009

whs said:
I am in a similar situation. I want to keep my Vista and also run W7. I decided to make a completely independent W7 installation on an SSD (beats any Raid). During the W7 installation I physically disconnect the HDDs. That way, Vista and W7 do not get into each other's hair on the boot record. Then I switch between the 2 systems with the BIOS boot sequence. Worked well with the build 7600 - but for the real thing I will have to buy a full W7 system - the cheap upgrade package will not work. The same scenario would work with 2 HDDs - each one with it's own independent OS.

Thanks, that sounds like a really good suggestion. I would then need to get a fairly small SSD for W7 and a 1 TB HDD for my data (just noticed I have started to produce 120 GB per year!). Do you have any idea for a good SSD? Size, you think?

zigzag3143 · Oct 13, 2009

Submarine said:
So, what do I do best if I like to install W7 64 bit and keep my current X86 Vista OEM? Also like to go from current 640 GB in Raid 0 to (2x) 1 TB in Raid 1. The OEM issue makes it more difficult, I fear. Suggestions?

SUB

You can dual boot.; win 7 64bit, and vista x86 as long as you have legit keys for both.

Upgrading your raid can be done but depends on the controller

Hope this helps

Ken

whs · Oct 13, 2009

Submarine said:
whs said:

I am in a similar situation. I want to keep my Vista and also run W7. I decided to make a completely independent W7 installation on an SSD (beats any Raid). During the W7 installation I physically disconnect the HDDs. That way, Vista and W7 do not get into each other's hair on the boot record. Then I switch between the 2 systems with the BIOS boot sequence. Worked well with the build 7600 - but for the real thing I will have to buy a full W7 system - the cheap upgrade package will not work. The same scenario would work with 2 HDDs - each one with it's own independent OS.

Click to expand...

Thanks, that sounds like a really good suggestion. I would then need to get a fairly small SSD for W7 and a 1 TB HDD for my data (just noticed I have started to produce 120 GB per year!). Do you have any idea for a good SSD? Size, you think?

I use a 60GB OCZ Vertex - but wait until they have the version with the 1.4x firmware out (should be soon). That is important because that will support Trim which is an important performance factor. There is also a Vertex Turbo version.
Intel recently came out with the 80GB X25M that supports Trim. Costs about the same as the OCZ ( around $250).

Newegg.com - OCZ Vertex Series OCZSSD2-1VTX60G 2.5" 60GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid state disk (SSD) - Solid State Disks
Intel X25-M 80GB 2.5" SATA SSD Solid State Drive - Toshiba
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TRIM_(SSD_command)

Submarine · Oct 13, 2009

zigzag3143 said:
SUB
You can dual boot.; win 7 64bit, and vista x86 as long as you have legit keys for both.
Upgrading your raid can be done but depends on the controller
Hope this helps
Ken

My first thoughts were to make an image of the C drive (but not of the recovery partition and the hardware diagnostics ditto) and then try to restore it back to a partition on the new Raid 1 setup, but this appears a rather complex operation, if at all possible. Easy way out is of course to replace the HDDs, set them up in Raid 1, install Vista with OEM DVD and then W7 on another partition. Next, bring data back in from back-up. Having read whs suggestion, I must say it sounds like a rather nice option. I can then keep my current installation as is. In a year or two, when it is time to invest in a new computer, I can perhaps keep the SSD installation by using the features of W7.

Submarine · Oct 13, 2009

whs said:
I use a 60GB OCZ Vertex - but wait until they have the version with the 1.4x firmware out (should be soon). That is important because that will support Trim which is an important performance factor. There is also a Vertex Turbo version.
Intel recently came out with the 80GB X25M that supports Trim. Costs about the same as the OCZ ( around $250).

I will check the links. Are there any particularities with SSDs or do they install like any SATA on any modern mobo?

whs · Oct 13, 2009

There are a lot of particularities with SSDs. But with Win7 it is easy because it makes the main settings automatically. It also supports Trim which Vista and XP do not.
In Hardware terms you need a bracket so that it will fit into the 3.5" bay and a cable to connect to the mobo. I assume you have enough power cables off your PSU. Other than that they are like any other Sata.
If you want to learn things, I suggest you visit the OCZ Forum. Those guys really know their stuff. The whole subject is really fascinating and it will still take a long time before I understand the odds and ends halfway.

OCZ Forum - Powered by vBulletin

Submarine · Oct 16, 2009

What about backups, will ordinary backup and imaging software work on a SSD and can you transfer a SSD image to an ordinary HDD? Do you know?

whs · Oct 16, 2009

Submarine said:
What about backups, will ordinary backup and imaging software work on a SSD and can you transfer a SSD image to an ordinary HDD? Do you know?

I have not done that yet. But I see no reason why it should not work. To the system, the SSD appears like a Sata. When I install Win7 on my SSD next month, I'll try it out.

PS: I just remember that I did copy Vista with Norton Ghost onto the SSD. That worked. I keep forgetting because my SSD is in Florida but I am in Germany since May until November.

Chase · Oct 16, 2009

SGT Oddball said:
Most consumers will experience Windows 7 one of two ways, either by upgrading their existing PC or by purchasing a PC with Windows 7 preloaded. At work, most of our business customers have their own in-house IT support (or a dedicated partner that they work with) to deploy new versions of Windows.

For the customers that want to upgrade their own PC (and have experience installing Windows), an overview of the process is provided below.

For customers running Windows Vista:

Once Windows 7 is available on October 22nd, customers will be able to upgrade from their current edition of Windows Vista to a corresponding edition of Windows 7. For example, it is fairly straightforward to upgrade from Windows Vista Home Premium to Windows 7 Home Premium or from a 32-bit version of Windows Vista to a 32-bit version of Windows 7. The process involves inserting the appropriate Windows 7 installation disc, running the setup program, and choosing the “Upgrade” installation option. An Upgradeis the fastest and easiest type of installation and will preserve your files, settings, and programs.

For customers running Windows XP:

Customers who wish to upgrade from Windows XP to Windows 7 will need to follow a different upgrade process due to the changes in PCs since the introduction of Windows XP in 2001. To upgrade from Windows XP to Windows 7 you must first determine if your PC meets the minimum system requirements using the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor. Assuming it meets the requirements, you can install Windows 7 using the “Custom” installation option. A custom installation does not preserve your files, settings or programs so you need to first back up your data to an external drive and re-install your programs once installation has completed.

If you are upgrading from Windows XP to Windows 7 and installing it yourself, we have detailed step-by-step instructions here.

If you are a business customer, please note that there are other migration options for you that include a broad range of deployment tools and guidance to assist your migration to Windows 7. This also includes solutions to assess application and hardware compatibility. Please visit the Springboard Series.

For customers who want to upgrade to Windows 7:

We’ve received a lot of questions from our customers about getting Windows 7 before October 22nd. While you won’t be able to go into a store and purchase a copy until then, you can take advantage of our pre-order option which is available now via the Microsoft Online Store as well as a variety of participating retailers. If you’re an eligible college student, you can also take advantage of a sweet deal on Windows 7 for $29.99 by visiting 741. And, if you have multiple PC’s at home, then on October 22nd for a limited time, you’ll be able to get the Windows 7 Family Pack Offer, which will provide 3 Upgrade Licenses for $149.99. Look for more details on this soon.

For more information on moving to Windows 7, I suggest you read our Windows 7 Upgrade FAQ which answers many of the commonly asked questions regarding moving to Windows 7.

More...

Thanks for the link! I didn't know I could get the premium edition for only $29.99 being a college student! :D

abr · Oct 18, 2009

The best part of windows 7 is that it tremendously reduces the time to install an application. Also, now Windows is less annoying with very less UAC prompt. For software developers also, Windowe7 will reduce the time spent for developing Windows app. Help Windows 7

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