New Build OS

kishan666 · 10 Aug 2009 at 15:23

Hi guys im ordering my new rig today and was wondering what os to use... i will be pre ordering windows 7 for october...soo my question is if i use the beta for the time being would i have to do a full upgrade when i recieve the full copy in october.. and if soo would i lose all my existing files and programs

Thanks a lot

ca9phoenix · 10 Aug 2009 at 15:26

It's windows so you'll probably be ready to do a full format and reinstall by October anyway so i'd put 7 beta on now!

div0 · 10 Aug 2009 at 15:30

kishan666 said:
and if soo would i lose all my existing files and programs

Thanks a lot

I always create one partition for the OS and Programs, and then a seperate partition for data files.

This way if the OS becomes corrupt, or needs to be wiped and re-installed, then you only need to wipe the partition with the OS and programs on, and your Data Files are untouched.

I'd also keep a backup of important data on a seperate drive/media as well.

linktoinsanity · 10 Aug 2009 at 15:37

Win7RC is a good bet. Then install the full version when it is released.

kishan666 · 10 Aug 2009 at 15:40

div0 said:
I always create one partition for the OS and Programs, and then a seperate partition for data files.

This way if the OS becomes corrupt, or needs to be wiped and re-installed, then you only need to wipe the partition with the OS and programs on, and your Data Files are untouched.

I'd also keep a backup of important data on a seperate drive/media as well.

Ok can you please advice me on how to do this.. since ive never done a hdd partion before.. also would i have to reinstall my programs when win 7 is realsed even though the files are still there ? or would they jusy show up in installed programs?

Daegan · 10 Aug 2009 at 15:44

If you have access to it why not use the RTM. Install the version you ordered, don't bother with a CD key, don't activate it, just re-arm it a couple of times before the 30 days is up and activate it once your copy of Windows 7 arrives.

kishan666 · 10 Aug 2009 at 15:50

Daegan said:
If you have access to it why not use the RTM. Install the version you ordered, don't bother with a CD key, don't activate it, just re-arm it a couple of times before the 30 days is up and activate it once your copy of Windows 7 arrives.

Ok i do not have access to the rtm do you have any ideas where i can download it ?

div0 · 10 Aug 2009 at 16:11

kishan666 said:
Ok can you please advice me on how to do this.. since ive never done a hdd partion before.. also would i have to reinstall my programs when win 7 is realsed even though the files are still there ? or would they jusy show up in installed programs?

During the install process you should get an option to create partitions.

See here as an example in XP - http://pcsupport.about.com/od/operatingsystems/ss/instxpclean1_10.htm

I'm sure Win7 will be very similar.

You will probably need to assign at least 30Gb to the partition which you want to install the OS onto. But you may need more space depending on how many programs you have, and how much space they require.

Once you have created the partitions, then each partition will show up in Windows as a different drive letter, eg c:\ and d:\, etc

The c:\ will contain the OS and I would also install any programs to here as well.

You can then use the other drives (partitions) for any files, such as documents, music files, photos, etc.

When you come to format and reinstall, then you can format the partition with the OS on, and all you lose is the OS and your programs. But all your Data Files are untouched and will still be there once you re-install an OS on the other partition.

Unfortunately you can't really keep Programs seperate (in the same way as you can for Data Files), because even if you install them on a seperate partition to the OS, they will almost always need to be re-installed once you reinstall the OS. So I tend to just keep the OS and Programs together on the same partition.

Meatball · 10 Aug 2009 at 16:18

Daegan said:
If you have access to it why not use the RTM. Install the version you ordered, don't bother with a CD key, don't activate it, just re-arm it a couple of times before the 30 days is up and activate it once your copy of Windows 7 arrives.

Do this.

kishan666 said:
Ok i do not have access to the rtm do you have any ideas where i can download it ?

I can't link you but the untouched W7 rtm isos are readily available, you just need to use Google effectively.

kishan666 · 10 Aug 2009 at 16:48

Meatball said:
Do this.

I can't link you but the untouched W7 rtm isos are readily available, you just need to use Google effectively.

Ok thanks... btw do you know which version rtm i should be looking for... i think the 7600 build is the final one ??

kishan666 · 10 Aug 2009 at 21:08

anyone ?

Meatball · 10 Aug 2009 at 21:55

kishan666 said:
anyone ?

billyhallatlivedotcodotuk

.

Chrismk · 11 Aug 2009 at 15:24

div0 said:
I always create one partition for the OS and Programs, and then a seperate partition for data files.

This way if the OS becomes corrupt, or needs to be wiped and re-installed, then you only need to wipe the partition with the OS and programs on, and your Data Files are untouched.

I'd also keep a backup of important data on a separate drive/media as well.

In order to achieve this you need to move the Users folder from C to D.

A shame that MS don't make this an easy option in this day of large HD's where a separate data partition makes so much sense.

Yes, you can move some individual folders using the location tab under properties but, for instance, your Outlook files would still be on drive C. Much better to move the whole folder and change the ProfileList setting in the registry.

It was slightly tedious going through the registry and changing any existing references to the d drive - but hey, you only have to do it once!