Deactivate --- now that's something I haven't thought about. I knew that I'd have to reinstall all software, but presumed stuff would sort-of-vanish! So I have to uninstall everything first?

i sort of posted something about this a while back, but never mind....

my suggestion would be:

1. back-up ALL your data to say an ex hd.

2. either partition your hd into, say, c: and d: where c: is system and d: is data. OR, have a 2nd hd for data, whatever.,

3. install 7/64bit to c:, and once that's done, restore data to d: (or wherever).

4. point programs and system folders to the corresponding folders on d: (or wherever).

have been doing this ever since i can remember - my acromis back-up, and sys restore take next to no time, and i NEVER lose any data. (i use firefox / thunderbird with my profile folders on d:).

leslie

btw. there's a great utility tool - yamicsoft win manager - that will let you do all the 'customising, pointing, etc., very reliably

Thanks for help. Yes I remember your note, ushere, but looked only in the current "windows 7" thread. I do keep all video related data on separate disks, but various documents etc get on C disk by default (ie I don't do anything about where they go). I daresay that starting with a clean and empty disk is the best approach to installing a new OS, but I had the impression that other people had done otherwise. I'll have a look for that previous thread.

when i mentioned data, i was referring to ALL data. it's quite common for us to have dedicated folders / drives for video, but we tend to let windows deal with the rest. the program i mentioned above will allow you to point ALL windows system folders (eg. docs, pics, etc.,) to wherever you want - preferably not on c; drive! (of course there's other programs, reg edits to do this as well...)

as for 7 - there's no upgrade path from xp, and a clean install is a must!

look on the bright side - get it all sorted to start with and it should be a breeze from there on.

leslie

The most practical way to move from XP or Vista to 7 in the opinions of loads of folks (Google) is to partition your hdd, adding 7 to the new partition & dual booting -- later it's a relatively simple matter to delete the XP partition once everything's cool. There's also the possibility of taking your old XP/Vista install, complete with any software, & using something like Paragon's VM app, converting it to a virtual machine that you can use in 7. The reasons for the temporary dual boot include, very often you forgot something collecting data & preparing, & very often something just doesn't work all that well (like drivers) on the new OS initially. This gives you a bit of a cushion. If you backup XP OTOH, format [or wipe] the disk, then add 7, you'll probably need to access that backup for something you've forgotten. That's tricky with a disk image backup unless you restore it to another drive -- Catch = with a lot of backup software that'll also effect your MBR etc. causing prob using/booting to 7.

Otherwise, I've found it a good habit to store most data on a separate drive or partition, making maintenance [i.e. defragging, backup etc] not only easier/faster, but making the OS partition in a way irrelevant -- nice for multi-boot systems -- so OS upgrades are easier. Also found it handy to have a copy of the XP doc & settings folder, or the Vista Users & Program Data folders available, so app data folders & sections of the registry are available in the new OS (win7). And I normally export the software sections of the registry, both the complete sections and individual apps -- that data can be a lifesaver.

FWIW... Just like with Vista upgraded over XP, 7 [or Vista SE :-) ] over Vista takes longer, but uses a lot of compatibility fixes that you won't get doing a fresh install; that's a very mixed bag that's both good & bad, but if there's something that doesn't quite work in 7 otherwise, the upgrade route can help.

I highly recommend MPM's advice. I just finished loading all of my applications onto Windows 7 (took me almost a week!), and I had created a dual boot on a separate drive. MPM is exactly right... there were about a dozen or so reasons why I needed to go back to the XP drive to copy folders or files I didn't think about: VASST templates I had created, Vegas scripts stuck way down in a Program Files folder, Sony render templates I created, Cinescore files I rendered that went into the Cinescore folder, etc., etc. If I had just deleted the XP OS and written over everything, there was a lot of little things I would have lost.

Now, I can go back at my leisure in a couple months once I'm sure I have everything and remove the XP OS/dual boot.

I have been doing it like Leslie, several times, and it works for me too.

I always like fresh installs. If something goes wrong it can be hard to find out whether it is related to the old install or the new OS.

/Ulf

Thanks for excellent pointers, which I'm currently in the process of implementing. One thing you haven't picked me on is my intention to install the 64bit version when my current XP is 32 bit --- seems that isn't an "upgrade" and I'm limited to W7 in 32 bit. Rather annoying, but then I suppose I shouldn't take things for granted!

hi serena,

don't quite understand your last post?

going 64 is a good idea - why are you 'limited' to w7 in 32bit?

that's the way i went, ie, 32 xp pro to w7 64 and haven't been happier. only drawbacks are using plugins in both vegas and ps 64 bit versions, but hey, i've got them in the 32 bit programs, both of which 'seem' to run faster and more reliably under 7/64 than they did under xp/32.

good luck anyway with the 'upgrade'.....

leslie

Hi.
Have you tried googling the ' Windows 7 upgrade advisor'. ? Also we have been advised to check if your version of Widows 7 is an upgrade or a full version.

Just my halfpence worth.

Chris

PS I am waiting to install on a new computer once I have put a larger memory on it later next week.

The problem with 32 bit is that I bought the upgrade package when, as I now know, I needed the full works. Dumb, I know! I haven't installed it yet and will see if I can exchange for the full 64 bit W7.

I wasn't even aware that you had to buy a different upgrade package. I'm paying a fortune for my son to go to college, so I was able to buy a $29 Windows 7 Professional via his edu email (if you have this option, I highly recommend it: www.the ultimatesteal.com). I just burned the Windows 7 ISO from the download files, put in the disc, and several questions later, I had a dual boot.