Hi!

Don't repair if it isn't broken.

BR,  Iztok

Back things up.

There IS NO sensible alternative.

Think of your data like the sticker I have on my bike....which reads...

"If you value your life as much as I value my bike....then don't fuck with it."

Only fools and horses don't backup....

Ah, but that's ony if he were installing over Vista.  If Po` clean installs to a separate partition via 'Advanced Settings', it will not affect his current installation/other drives.  That way there's no pre-installation messing around and he can just sit back and watch it do its work.

How about a W7 update from XP or better to get an OEM of 32 bit professsional?  I can't go 64 bit until I can build an entirely new system.

Hey Ed, there is no direct update from XP to Win 7 (different architecture), it has to be a clean install.  However, you can select a different installation path via 'Advanced Settings' to clean install Win 7 on different drive/partition to XP, thus leaving it intact and operable should you ever need it.   Also, an OEM version, which you don't need a previous version to qualify, may actually cost you less than an uprade version.

Thing is with that, though, an OEM is either or 32 bit, 64 bit... not both.  Meaning, if you plan to build a new machine later, you might want to wait to purchase an OEM copy of Win 7 until then, if you'd rather run 64 bit, that is.

Now what?  Now bask in the glory that is Windows 7!  Can you clean install with the upgrade package?

I've backed up all the important stuff.

I don't know if I can do a clean install. I assume you are tralking about partitioning my HD and running both? I don't know if I can or want to.

I can return my PC to factory condition, do the updates, and then do the W7 upgrade. I suppose that would be as close as I could get to a 'clean' install. (?) I'm not sure.

I have windowblinds I started in Vista. WHat happens to them? Shit. This is a pain in the ass.

Wouldn't that be a pain in the OS?

If you have the HDD space,dual booting would make sense to me. You paid for two Windows versions,why not be able to use both?

Hi Ed,

If you buy the retail version of Win 7, it comes with both 32 and 64 bit versions.  The OEM might save you up front but the retail version may save you in the long term. 

ok, i'm a fool. i've yet to back up anyone's data when doing a straight upgrade and not once has any data been lost. if you want to add an extra step of security, back up. sorry for my failed advice.

Hi Po,

You can create a partition if you want but you don't have to.  Just do an advanced installation of Win 7 and it will create a Windows.old directory.  I didn't lose any data as I run automatic backups here.  I did have to reinstall most of my software but it wasn't hard at all.  One of the things I had trouble with was Window Blinds.  I uninstalled it but forgot to move the directory under my user profile and Win 7 is not shy about telling you that a piece of software is not compatible.  I'd rather have that than have the OS allow me to install something that will trash the system later.  Run the compatibility wizard that comes with Win 7 and you should be fine.  You will love Windows 7.  It is rock solid and I am not always under the hood tweaking like I was with Vista.  Oh, if you miss the Quick Launch on your taskbar, check out How To Geek for an easy work around. 

What I have is an upgrade specific to my PC. When the last one borked, I picked up a new one and it came with the free upgrade. It says it contains 32 bit software only.

I have 286GB free on my HD.

Enough all ready, do the upgrade and let us know how it went.