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

[Grail]

Hi all,

Back in January, i used my 3-pack Windows Home Premium 7 upgrade kit to do a clean install on a WD 640 GB hard drive. I called MicroSoft and explained I had several retail versions of Windows XP but wanted to install 7 on a new hard drive. They couldn't have been more friendly and helpful. I didn't even have to go to Tech Support. The fellow in Pre-Sales simply gave me a key. This time around I couldn't reach Pre-Sales, and the tech people (two of them) couldn't have been ruder right from the get go, even before they knew what it was I wanted.

If I end up having to load XP on my Boot drive SSD (if it even supports XP?) and then try to upgrade from there, will there be any performance loss? I also could try to clone my platter drive with Windows 7 to the SSD with the included Norton Ghost software, but Samsung does say in the manual a clean install is best.

I am most concerned that there might be some sort of performance loss.

Thanks,

Grail

[Peli]

A clean install of Win7 on my SSD took me like 15 minutes (it was insane, and it was limited by the read speed of my optical drive). It'd take you longer than that to find the stupid SATA driver, a floppy disk, and a USB floppy drive in order to install XP on the SSD.

[MiRai]

Windows 7 is well aware of what an SSD is and how to install the OS onto it properly without an issue. Windows XP, on the other hand, doesn't know what an SSD is and will most likely install the OS improperly (unaligned) which will affect performance and, it will most likely default to defragmenting the drive unless you manually turn it off. Past that, I have no knowledge with using Windows XP and SSDs without consulting Google.

[Ughmahedhurtz]

Ebay your upgrade disk or something and buy a full install. I think you can get Win7 Pro for under $100 now.

[johny_mnemonic]

You can clone the system OS without any problem if the only change is the SDD.

[d0z3rr]

There is no such thing as an XP to 7 upgrade. The upgrade does a clean install of Win7, it just attempts to assist with migration of user specific data. It is not the same as the XP to Vista upgrade.

[Ughmahedhurtz]

There is no such thing as an XP to 7 upgrade. The upgrade does a clean install of Win7, it just attempts to assist with migration of user specific data. It is not the same as the XP to Vista upgrade.

You do realize Vista did the same thing, right? We're getting far too deep into the weeds with regards to the original question.

[Grail]

Thanks Everyone,

Peli- I hear you. I hope I don't have to install XP first.

MiRai- I always appreciate your input. These are the things I am afraid of.

Ugmahedhurtz- I will tuck that advice away. Might come in useful. Still, despite the ebay possibility, the reason I liked the 3-pack Win 7 upgrade option is that
as I have three retail copies of Win XP, it meant that I was basically upgrading to three retail copies of Win 7. That is as long as I have those
original XP discs, I can install as many times as I want and unlike oem Win 7 discs, I can even install on a new computer down the road.

johny_mnemoic- Thanks for affirmation. The only things I am concerned about there is whether there would be performance loss over a clean install. Partly
because my Samsung 830s' manual declares "Samsung recommends that you do a fresh OS install to ensure an optimal operating environment
for your new SSD." So while I know it should work... I am concerned if it will be "optimal".

dOz3rr- I do understand. However, evidently something is evidently left behind that lets the Win 7 upgrade disc know that this was formally an XP disc and
therefore a legitimate upgrade attempt. This is what I am trying to bypass. MicroSoft has made it clear this is perfectly legal as long as retail XP
discs are in hand and not used concurrently.

So, while the consensus seems to be it is possible, I am thinking if I have to go this way I will attempt the clone. Anyone think Samsung's warning can be
taken with a grain of salt?

Thanks to all,

-Grail

[daviddoran]

What I do, for Windows 7 upgrade versions, is to install windows 7 twice on the same partition. The first time, don't enter a CD key, (it will be in trial mode for 30 days, but you won't need it that long.) Then, once that's installed, start over, and when you select which OS to upgrade, pick the OS you just installed.

Windows 7 when doing an upgrade install simply moves the old files into a "windows old" folder, and does a clean install.

I wish the windows upgrade installers worked like the Adobe Acrobat installers, and merely asked for the Key of an older version. Or at least to insert a disc to prove you have it. Having to install Any OS, just to allow an "upgrade" os to work with proper licensing is not a good way to treat paying customers. Frankly it's just easier to do it the illegal way...

[Grail]

Thanks daviddoran, that gives me some hope. I too wish the upgrade simply asked for an older Key. Those I have in hand. I would be more than willing to enter them. Still, I might need a moment to let my head wrap around what you are suggesting. Never heard of that one.

How about this idea though, can I make a system image using Win 7 on my platter drive and place that system image of a licensed Win 7 onto my SSD then just swap out the Mechanical drive and boot from the system image? Or is that image only good if used as some sort of restore, but incapable of being used as a functional OS?

Signed,

Inching toward Multi-Boxing

p.s. if I do what you are suggesting daviddoran, any idea if it will be recognized as a licensed copy? Does this take care of the 'verification'? Will I still be entering in the key from inside the Upgrade box? Or do I run some risk of running up a red flag one day? Like when they collect non-personal system information.