Installing new OS, conflict with old OS?

radar19 said:
I dont have my XP key as I'm using a friends copy he got from his work place. So if I remove the drive I have install 7 twice? Does it work with no key? I'm even more confused now:(
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Windows 7 new installer needs to be able to see your old Windows install or else it will not allow your upgrade key to work.

So either you leave your old drive in, and Windows sees XP, or you do the following:

1. install 7 with no key.
2. install 7 again with your upgrade key.

The 2nd time the installer sees your first install, and your upgrade key will work. Because the installer checks for a previous install before giving you the option of formatting your drives/ partitions, you can safely use the installer to wipe out your first win7 install before installing it again.

The whole reason for needing to install twice is just so the 2nd time you have an OS on the disk for the installer to see. That's if you choose to remove the first disk.
 
FoxEye said:
Yes, with the caveat that Windows Installer has to be able to see your old version of Windows.

If you remove your old drive, the installer will not see your old version of windows, and the key you have will not work.

Then you'll have to install 7 twice. Once with no key, then a 2nd time with your upgrade key. Both clean installs. The 2nd time the installer will detect a valid OS on the drive, and your upgrade key will work.
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Jesus! What happened to the days of just sticking 20odd numbers in during install or phoning someone up, now I'm glad I got full version
 
FoxEye said:
Windows 7 new installer needs to be able to see your old Windows install or else it will not allow your upgrade key to work.

So either you leave your old drive in, and Windows sees XP, or you do the following:

1. install 7 with no key.
2. install 7 again with your upgrade key.

The 2nd time the installer sees your first install, and your upgrade key will work. Because the installer checks for a previous install before giving you the option of formatting your drives/ partitions, you can safely use the installer to wipe out your first win7 install before installing it again.

The whole reason for needing to install twice is just so the 2nd time you have an OS on the disk for the installer to see. That's if you choose to remove the first disk.
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So if I dont remove the disc with XP on it, what happens then. Sorry about sounding like a idiot. This is all new to me.
 
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Ok, this is the screen I got when I bought it. Not sure what you can make from it buts its confusing me a lot!
 
Sounds like you only have to install once. Just make sure If your offered the chance to format/make partitions be bloody careful to choose the new disk
 
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I'd say don't worry about motherboard drivers for now. Windows 7 has many built-in drivers which work fine, and the new Windows Update can get the drivers you need for you after the install completes.
 
Only you can answer that one, if the motherboard was released before W7 it wont have any on the CD
 
So, one last time. If I keep my XP drive plugged in, it will ask me for a key, if I unplug it, i'll need to install 7 twice.
 
Don't rely on the standard W7 drivers for best performance, you should ideally get drivers from manufacturer websites
 
Actually I have the ISO downloaded which is meant for XP and Vista 32bit users. Could I use that to install from? Plus how do I burn it so I can install from a DVD?
 
You shouldn't need to worry about all this messing around with different discs.

It's an upgrade - you need there to be an old version of windows on the pc you're upgrading.

Set the win7 installer to install on the same disc as XP. You won't lose any important files, your Program Files, Windows, and Documents and Settings folder should be copied to a folder on your new win7 install called "Old Windows" in the root of C:

So basically, install over the top, take what you want from this folder, then delete it. Jobs a good 'un. - If there is anything not in these folders that you need, copy it all into your Program Files or Windows folder, then you'll keep it.

I know this works because thats what I did when I got my student upgrade version.
 
SMAndy said:
You shouldn't need to worry about all this messing around with different discs.
I
It's an upgrade - you need there to be an old version of windows on the pc you're upgrading.

Set the win7 installer to install on the same disc as XP. You won't lose any important files, your Program Files, Windows, and Documents and Settings folder should be copied to a folder on your new win7 install called "Old Windows" in the root of C:

So basically, install over the top, take what you want from this folder, then delete it. Jobs a good 'un. - If there is anything not in these folders that you need, copy it all into your Program Files or Windows folder, then you'll keep it.

I know this works because thats what I did when I got my student upgrade version.
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So you think he should install windows7 on a old slow disk? That's a stupid thing to do.

It should be installed on the new drive so it gives the best user experience.
 
Hello Radar19,

The best option would be to install on a new HDD with Windows 7 Full version installation.

If you’re installing Windows 7 into a new hard disk, or a blank hard disk with no partition defined yet, or if you must delete all existing partitions to start afresh, chose Drive options (advanced). Delete (if applicable) unwanted partitions. Then, click New to create the single partition or multiple partitions according to your own preference.

When prompted with dialog box saying “To ensure that all Windows features work correctly, Windows might create additional partitions for system files”, click on Cancel button. Optionally, to be double confirm, Format the partition before selecting it to install Windows 7

It depends on the version of Windows 7 that you have. As a good rule of thumb a minimum of 30GB is recommended for Windows 7 *(possibly more for Windows Ultimate).
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/get/system-requirements.aspx

Hope that helps!

Thanks again,

John M
Microsoft Windows Support Team
 
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