Installing another operating system

[Themoniter61]

I Have a 400gb Hard drive partitioned into 2 parts. One is the 20gb C: partition were Windows XP (home) and some other programs are installed. The other is the 380GB E: partition were all my media, games and other large software apps are installed. In the next month i am either going to install Vista or upgrade to a 64 bit version of windows XP. Will i still be able to use my apps on the E: drive when i install the new OS onto C: (Assuming that the C Drive is Formatted)?

 

[edklite]

if you have just files in E you will be fine but if you have anthing actuall programs installed in E then no they won't work.

any apps on E are an extension of C if you will and without C will not run

 

[pscowboy]

Those apps & games are tied to the XP registry on "C"

You will have to re-install everything.

 

[Guest]

If you Upgrade to the 32-bit version of Vista, your programs would probably still work.

Grumpy

 

[pscowboy]

That is if you don't format "C".

 

[Guest]

I said UPGRADE not INSTALL. Upgrades don't format the C: drive.

Grumpy

 

[pscowboy]

Themoniter61 was assuming a format to install a "new" OS.

You are grumpy!

 

[Themoniter61]

Well as a read more about vista i think im just going to install XP 64 bit. Is that an Upgrade or a new Install?

 

[Guest]

And I said Upgrade.

Grumpy

 

[Guest]

If you want a 64-bit version of WIndows, you're better off with Vista. You can't Upgrade 32-bit Windows to 64-bit so you need a clean install. From the FAQ about 64-bit XP Pro, "No, you can't upgrade. You can use the Technology Advancement Program until the end of July, 2005, to exchange your copy of Windows XP Professional for the x64 Edition of Windows XP Professional, but doing so replaces your existing license with the new license. The actual installation of Windows XP Professional x64 Edition is a fresh install, not an upgrade. All your programs will have to be reinstalled, and if you have data on the same drive as your operating system, it will be wiped out. Make a thorough backup of your important files before doing the installation."

Vista has better support for 64-bit.

Grumpy