Windows 7 Upgrade/Repair Install

[Cobra]

I have a copy of Windows 7 (32-bit) and a valid product key. Can I do a Repair install on a computer which currently runs XP Pro, upgrade to Win 7, and keep all my current programs like an XP repair install would allow just by running the Win 7 DVD?? I have 4 computers, so if it screwed one up, no big deal.

[zinglebarb]

I have a copy of Windows 7 (32-bit) and a valid product key. Can I do a Repair install on a computer which currently runs XP Pro, upgrade to Win 7, and keep all my current programs like an XP repair install would allow just by running the Win 7 DVD?? I have 4 computers, so if it screwed one up, no big deal.

 

I would not expect to get away with it

[wellies]

Unfortunately, there is no upgrade path from XP to Windows 7 RC1, so you can't use the copy of Windows 7 RC1 to repair/upgrade XP. This will still be the case when Windows 7 final is released. Vista is upgradable. Having said that, I think a clean installation would be better even if you were to have the upgrade option. Things always end up cleaner in my opinion.

 

Also, Windows 7 is only the release candidate. I know lots of people are using it as their main OS but it's not really intended for that yet. Not only that but it will 'time out' in a year's time. Those who installed it in place of XP will then need to remove it and either reinstall their copy of Windows XP, or buy the final version of Windows 7 and install that. Those who installed it place of Vista would have to do the same.

 

Perhaps the best way to use Windows 7 RC1 at present is to install it on another disk or partition. Then RC1 can be used while still keeping the current OS.

Edited May 24, 2009 by wellies

[Cobra]

@ Zinglebarb: That was my gut feeling, but curiosity is killing this cat so I may try it. I really see no reason for it to work since I'm not repairing anything.

 

I've got some time to contemplate the experiment since I have to buy a new CPU for #1 computer, and the CPUs will trickle down, #2, #3, & #4. #4 will be my victim.

 

Thanx for the input.

[Cobra]

@ wellies: Yup, I've got some extra HDDs I could use to do a clean install of Win 7 RC. I was just hoping for the lazy way out. :D No rest for the weary I guess.............

[DarkLord7854]

Keep in mind also, if you want to dual boot Windows 7 and XP, Windows 7 will replace XP as your default boot OS and you may have to jump through some hoops to get XP back to default boot OS since 7 uses a different way of setting default boot OS.

[Cobra]

Keep in mind also, if you want to dual boot Windows 7 and XP, Windows 7 will replace XP as your default boot OS and you may have to jump through some hoops to get XP back to default boot OS since 7 uses a different way of setting default boot OS.

 

Good input, DL. By chance are you referring to the "old.XP" file (or whatever it's called) that I heard Win 7 creates if you install it on top of XP, or are you just talking about a normal dual boot configuration with multiple partitions on the same HDD??

 

TBH, I'm wide open here, and don't care if I mess up a HDD as I can always do a clean install of XP or Win 7 if worst comes to worst.

 

I might be putting the cart before the horse, as #4 computer uses the WORST mobo Biostar ever produced, there may not be drivers available for Win 7.

[wellies]

The dual boot default setting can be changed:

 

* Start Windows 7.

* Go into the Control Panel.

* Select 'System'.

* Click 'Advanced System Settings'.

* Click the 'Startup and Recovery Settings' button.

* Click the 'Default operating system' drop-down box.

* Choose ' Earlier Version of Windows'.

* Click OK.

 

XP should then be the default boot.

[Cobra]

@ wellies: Sounds live a winner to me. I'll make a note to remember this thread. That will make dual booting simple. I rectum if Bioslug doesn't have the proper drivers I can dual boot on one of my real computers.

 

Thanx

[DarkLord7854]

That should work, however sometimes it can be stubborn, I spent a few good hours helping a friend set it up, I forget what he had done though to not make it work.

 

Either way.. Windows 7 is awesome :p

[wellies]

It does look to be a winner doesn't it? I probably wouldn't buy it for this computer though. There's no need because XP and the installed programs run well on it. I'll get Windows 7 when 'new computer' time comes. This one is about 6 or 7 years old now. I hope to keep using it for as long as it takes Windows 7 to become well-established.

 

It only scores a '2' in the Windows 7 computer rating, probably because of the low spec (by today's standards) graphics card. Windows 7 still runs pretty well though.

 

P.4 3GHz hyper-threading CPU - 1.5GB RAM - GeForce FX 5200

[zinglebarb]

If XP is present on a machine prior to installing Vista or Win7 dual boot should work without hassle. If you install XP after Vista then the bootloader will be taken over by the old method and you need to repair start up for vista then edit the bcd either way is not really difficult.

 

Peoples opinion of Win7 I think is misplaced due to the fact the norm is for people to dislike Vista so they are biased in favour of 7 as its not Vista. There have been some real world bench tests that only give Win7 a small performance mark than Vista and my personal experience of a properly configured Vista box and a properly configured Win7 box bares this out. Win7 on the desktop is faster a bit and it is like a tuned up version of Vista but it is not the messiah lol

[Guest Wolfeymole]

I'm installing it as we we speak on to a 1.6 Celeron with 512 Acer lappy just to see what it can do besides crawl round for a bit.

 

Will let ya know.