Best way to install Win 7; Clean, or XP to 7 upgrade?

[daviddoran]

The aspect of upgrading windows, only looks for a previous installation of any version of windows, it doesn't matter if it's activated or not, as it has no way of verifying that kind of information. It sees C:\windows\system32 and such and says OK, I can install now. So the easiest OS to upgrade from, is merely an unactivated version of the same OS you are using. You can't switch between 32 and 64 bit, and you can't downgrade from Home Premium to Home, or Ultimate to Home Premium, etc, it always has to be the same or "greater" version. I have only done this with Vista, as I had purchased windows 7 ultimate upgrade versions, but with windows 7 I have OEM full retail versions, but the process should be the same.

Even if you do have to install XP first, it's not a big deal, and you don't have to worry about xp having no knowledge of how to utilize an SSD, as the xp files will get moved into a windows.old folder, and will no longer be bootable.

You can image to your heart's content as far as my experience tells me. I don't think a hard drive swap will flag windows to reactivate, I believe that's reserved for bigger things such as motherboard swaps.

Here's some more info

http://www.maximumpc.com/article/how..._disk_fresh_pc

http://www.mydigitallife.info/clean-...nk-hard-drive/

[Bollwerk]

IMHO, do a clean install anytime you upgrade the OS.
In my 15+ years of doing computer support, this is almost always the best option.
Upgrading seems to have a high chance of causing annoying issues sooner or later.

Oh, and if you use an SSD for the OS, then you REALLY should do a clean install, for a number of reasons.

[Grail]

Thanks daviddoran, Thanks Bollwerk,

I do understand upgrading from XP to 7 would not be considered a "clean" install. Yet, is it also true that cloning or imaging really cannot be considered the same as a clean install? I think they would have us believe the connotation of cloning is that the clone is an exact copy, but in truth without knowing the technical realities would you say "Nothing beats the original"?

If I take the upgrade root I will follow the path, you daviddoran, laid out for me. I thank you. But I do have a clean install of Windows 7 on my WD 640 GB drive, I could simply create an image (as daviddoran seems to suggest could work fine) or a clone.

I trust you will not think I am dancing unnecessarily around the mulberry bush here, but as per Bollwerk's advice on a clean install, I am not sure that would also apply to Daviddoran's methodology of upgrading from 7 to 7 as opposed to upgrading from a different or previous version (and essentially a different product.)

If Bollwerk, you mean to say always use a retail or oem version of the OS, I am going to have to find another hundred dollars somewhere. And here I thought I had it covered.

I will look at the articles with interest.

Hey is it possible to five-box with one hand? Because this sling on my left arm it really slowing me down...

I think I am going to have to get one of those twenty button mice.

Doh! That makes two hundred. So, not, happening.

Thanks,

-Grail

[daviddoran]

I'm pretty certain that when you do an "upgrade" install of windows 7, it basically is a clean install, and merely moves the prior contents of the drive to which you are installing to a folder labeled windows.old. It's not supposed to keep any programs or settings, that's what their migration tool is for, but you don't need to use that.

The only way you can do a true "clean" install would be to call microsoft and explain your situation like you did in the first post, and jump through their hoops, and possibly play CSR Roulette before you get results. Either that or just use one of the pirate methods. Its so sad to me that it's easier to steal software than it is to use it legitimately

[Ughmahedhurtz]

A clone image of a drive is a clone image of a drive. That is, it is an exact copy of what's on the drive at the time the clone was made. So, unless you changed hardware (HDD does not count as long as it is used in the same manner e.g.: didn't switch AHCI to RAID, etc.) then yes, a clone of a clean install will be identical to a clean install.

The caveats to the above are in cases where you changed the drive mode, changed the motherboard/controller or changed the mode your software backs up the drive image e.g.: sector-by-sector/RAW mode versus normal per-file mode.

[Ughmahedhurtz]

I'm pretty certain that when you do an "upgrade" install of windows 7, it basically is a clean install, and merely moves the prior contents of the drive to which you are installing to a folder labeled windows.old. It's not supposed to keep any programs or settings, that's what their migration tool is for, but you don't need to use that.

For upgrades from WinXP, this is correct. In fact, Microsoft recommends backing up all your important stuff with Windows Easy Transfer first, then doing a clean install, then restoring them once Win7 is installed.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/w...p-to-windows-7

For Vista, this still works but you can migrate certain apps and settings directly to Win7 during the upgrade. I probably wouldn't trust it without backing things up first, not because of any distrust of the Easy Transfer tool but simply because some apps really aren't designed to be easily portable. Roxio EZ-CD Creator and antivirus apps like McAfee or NOrton are prime examples.

[Grail]

Thanks daviddoran, Thanks Ughmahedhurtz,

Ok, I feel squared away there. I did some research on it and your answers were clearest. I think I will try the clone. Then if that doesn't work, and my hd is now half fried so it might not, I will try david's savy work around. I really don't want to have to play Russian Roulette with People I have given over $1000.00 to for legitimate copies of Windows, but the analogy was great.

I do believe one of the top problems with America today is in fact poor customer service. Manners should be mandatory.

I have to post now about a dying (?) psu in hardware. If either of you two have experience there please check it out.

With appreciation,

-Grail

[Bollwerk]

Some caveats about ghosting/cloning a W7 image:
1) If any hardware is different, this may cause some issues, depending on the hardware. If it's something minor like a video card, it's no big deal, but a motherboard might cause problems, as some hardware combos are picky about the order in which you install drivers.
2) If you clone an image from a HDD and put it on an SSD, you could run into serious performance issues due to partition alignment.

[Grail]

*sighs*

lol

Now I am reading about that.

[Ughmahedhurtz]

*sighs*

lol

Now I am reading about that.

Don't panic.

http://lifehacker.com/5837769/make-s...ve-performance