i would like to upgrade to windows 7 from xp and dont know how to format my drive so i can use a oem windows 7 disk or systems disk (havent purchased yet). ive heard those disks dont have the format software on them like the retail does. the crippler was nice enough to answer me but i didnt understand the answer """" Just run the installer on the Windows disc. Since XP cannot be directly upgraded to 7, it will format the drive for you (back up your files!) as part of the install process.""" my question is, do you mean format my drive with the xp disk or does a oem or systems disk have the installer on it ? The retail disks are getting hard to come by. with no xp support im looking get a year or so out of my old computer before i can afford a new one. thanks fred