Vista x86 HP on laptop - new hd tomorrow

[vcl_X1]

Hi all,

I've ordered a new bigger hd for my laptop, due to arrive tomorrow.

I was thinking of using acronis to clone the os from the old one to the new.

However I then started the dangerous process of thinking - why don't I install Win 7 7077 on the laptop?

I have 3 choices that I can think of :-

1) Clean install 7077 X86

2) Clean install 7077 X64 (any advantages? Lappy has 64bit processor and 4gb ram)

3) Clone Vist x86 and then upgrade to 7077

Clearly MS would prefer me to do the upgrade as this is what they really want testing and if I find any probs and log them first maybe I'll get a free key as some did with Vista.

Does anyone know if I can upgrade the lappy from x86 Vista to X64 Win 7?

I do have oem discs for X86 and X64 from my desktop so if the X64 Vista disc is needed as part of the upgrade then I have that.

I have all 10 licence nos for both X86 and x64.

What do you all think?

V

 

[radderfire]

Personally, I would restore the laptop with its existing OS.

I am just starting to look at VMware Workstation for running VM versions of other operating systems. The technology looks very promising, so you could run other OS's within virtual machines, I think it's the future!

http://www.vmware.com/products/ws/

Workstation is best, but you have to pay for it. There is also VMware Server which is free and can do the same thing, but it's more for virtualising servers as opposed to desktops, not as user friendly.

Rgds

 

[vcl_X1]

My thinking was I have the old smaller hd (120GB) safe to use at a later date if reqd to clone again or upgrade etc in case of problems with the new (500GB) one, I've a few old ide laptop drives for ext storage from the previous laptop so I do not need to use this one at all.

Not looked at the whole VM thing so can't comment or judge relative merits

Any thoughts on if/how I go down the upgrade route from cloned X86 Vista to Win 7 x64?

 

[Django x2]

Seriously? WTF. Clean install 7077 just for you to have to re-install when its released properly. 7077 is quite buggy compared to earlier builds.

2) - The chap about vmware, where have you been? No offence, but it was the future like 5 years ago and is now firmly reality.

3) - Clone your drive, then image it back on to your new drive.

4) - you cant and never will be able to "upgrade" from x86 to x64. There is no upgrade path, it will always be a re-install.

 

[Meatball]

Hi all,

I've ordered a new bigger hd for my laptop, due to arrive tomorrow.

I was thinking of using acronis to clone the os from the old one to the new.

However I then started the dangerous process of thinking - why don't I install Win 7 7077 on the laptop?

I have 3 choices that I can think of :-

1) Clean install 7077 X86

No point installing a 32bit operating system when your hardware is screaming for 64bit. 32bit will only address around 3.3Gb of your ram.

2) Clean install 7077 X64
any advantages? Lappy has 64bit processor and 4gb ram)

The advantage is using your hardware to its full potential, i.e addressing all your RAM and allowing your processor to run in 64bit mode (While having no effect executing 32bit.) Only use 32bit versions of Vista & W7 when installing on old machines and netbooks.

3) Clone Vist x86 and then upgrade to 7077

The wise choice, you'll have a backup of your drive should anything go wrong.

Does anyone know if I can upgrade the lappy from x86 Vista to X64 Win 7?

No you can't. Clean install only.



Personally I would clone your current drive so you can resort to it for backup and restoration. Then I'd dual boot, partitioning your 500Gb drive. Allocate 450Gb to Vista 64Bit and 50Gb to the W7 beta. That way you get the best of both worlds, you can try the W7 without using it as your main o/s, which you shouldn't really as your data could get corrupt. The w7 beta is looking rather good though. By reinstalling Vista 64bit you can fully utilize your hardware and also remove all the karp that manufacturers preinstall (trials of this, that & the other)