Win7 install help for a total noob

PapaLazaru

PapaLazaru

PapaLazaru

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Hi chaps.

I am still running XP 32 bit and am going to buy Win7 64 bit this weekend as I want DX11 working for BC2.

Now I have two HD's. One is just for XP and another, which has everything else on it.

What I am thinking for ease, is getting a new HD and just installing Win7 onto it.

The questions -

1. Can I just unplug my old OS drive and plug the new one in and install onto that without causing problems down the line after install?

2. Am I likely to encounter problems with my programmes that are on my app drive? I am not that bothered about a lot of the rubbish on there as I can easily download it again but am mainly concerned about my Steam files which are over 100gb, some photos and that kind of stuff. I have a few games other games installed in it as well. Will I be able to use Steam after the install as usual?

Cheers. :)
 
Ok first off you will be able to unplug your xp drive and plug in a new drive to install win7 onto with no problem.

I take it your apps and files are on a seperate drive to your xp drive and not just a partition? If it is a partition then you will need to back all of your files/apps up before you take the xp drive out.
If it is a seperate drive your files will be fine but all of the programs will need reinstalling once you've installed win7, you will be able to reinstall to the same locations so you will keep most program configs and settings.

For games be aware that some will put your save games in the 'my documents' folder on the C drive, you will need to back these up before you remove the xp drive.

Steam I'm not a great expert on but I believe you'll just need to reinstall the client, hopefully someone with more experience of it can help out here...
 
Depending on how much room you have on other HDD, the easiest thing to do would be backup your game to that HDD using Steam.

Thats what I did recently with my Windows 7 upgarde.
 
Yes they are physically two separate drives. One for XP and the other has everything else on it.

Like I said, I am not too bothered about the programmes as they are easily obtainable again, it is just the Steam files which are all on the other drive.

Sounds like it should be pretty straight forwards so cheers for the responses. :)

I think I should just be able to boot Steam as usual from the other drive once Win7 is installed.
 
The steam games will be fine , just run steam.exe in your steam folder and it will update from the net and then you can carry on as normal.
 
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