Reinstall Vista or upgrade to 7?

busenbust

In the future, can I use my W7 upgrade disk to format the drive and then install the OS?

Yes, (but I am slightly confused as to what you wish to do).

1) During the install process, the setup created a folder called "windows.old". I thought this would only contain the old OS system (Vista) files but it has in acutal fact copied everything from my HD into it.

Can I delete this folder without causing any problems? I backed up my hard drive before the new OS install. (ideally I wanted an empty drive + W7)

Yes, you can delete but ensure that all remnants of previous documents and settings folder - those files you wish to keep - have been migrated to the new drive folder (c drive). In fact, I would - just temporarily say - copy that 'windows.old' folder to an external drive just in case....

Other than that, the OS/laptop does seem faster. However, that is generally the case after 'formatting'.

True



HTH.

jitters

busenbust wrote: »

Yes, (but I am slightly confused as to what you wish to do).

What I meant to say was, if I format the drive (ie FDISK), will I run into problems intalling just from the upgrade DVD?

TBH - I was a little annoyed that the windows.old folder was there, but I have never upgraded an OS before (with an upgrade disk I mean, usually had a full retail version).

Thanks for your reply

BillScarab

It's nothing to do with the upgrade disk. I had the same happen with a retail disk. The option to format is still there when you install it's just not as obvious as before. I think you need to select the format option when you pick which partition you're going to put it on.

busenbust

What I meant to say was, if I format the drive (ie FDISK), will I run into problems intalling just from the upgrade DVD?

This is what I need clarification on (from you). The upgrade disc you have is designed for 'easy' upgrade from Vista to Windows 7. If you owned a previous version of Vista - and it sounds as though you did - then, yes, you are entitled to use the Upgrade version.

ddoris

Re-install vista? NO WAY !

busenbust

ddoris wrote: »

Re-install vista? NO WAY !

:rotfl::rotfl:It has its fans!:eek:

jitters

BillScarab wrote: »

It's nothing to do with the upgrade disk. I had the same happen with a retail disk. The option to format is still there when you install it's just not as obvious as before. I think you need to select the format option when you pick which partition you're going to put it on.

OK. I didn't spot it, I'll take a closer look next time around.

busenbust wrote: »

This is what I need clarification on (from you). The upgrade disc you have is designed for 'easy' upgrade from Vista to Windows 7. If you owned a previous version of Vista - and it sounds as though you did - then, yes, you are entitled to use the Upgrade version.

Righto. My original question arose from microsoft's validation proceedure. I thought an upgrade version of the OS needed to 'see' a valid copy of XP/Vista before it would install/validate. As, if not, people could buy an upgrade version rather than the full retail version - even if they didn't have an ms OS already.

Therefore, I thought I might/could run into problems if I wiped the drive and then tried to install w7 with the upgrade DVD -as there wouldn't be an OS for it to 'see'.

However, from the responses so far, I gather I have nothing to worry about

Im not reinstalling vista!!! (lol)

busenbust

My original question arose from microsoft's validation proceedure. I thought an upgrade version of the OS needed to 'see' a valid copy of XP/Vista before it would install/validate. As, if not, people could buy an upgrade version rather than the full retail version - even if they didn't have an ms OS already.

OK then, this is getting a little bit more complicated; I'll try and keep it simple Technically, the upgrade disc does not need to 'see' a valid copy of XP/Vista. Legally, it does need to 'see' (see below). That decision has to be yours :cool:

As, if not, people could buy an upgrade version rather than the full retail version - even if they didn't have an ms OS already.

Yes, but it's the legalities of the situation you need to be aware of. Again, that decision has to be yours :cool: .

Im not reinstalling vista!!! (lol)

I bloody well hope not!


HTH.

BillScarab

well if you have Xp the only way to install Windows 7 is via a clean install as there is no in place upgrade option. So, yes there si no problem with using upgrade media to do a clean install.

This article covers it in some depth.

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

Generally speaking most peopel are licensed as they either buy a new machine iwth Windows pre-installed or they have an existing machine with Vista or XP on it. It's only the few who build their own or buy a nachine with no OS that can exploit the loophole.

busenbust

Reason: Definately not reinstalling vista!

:rotfl:...............