Is it possible??

[toyndb]

Hey all!!

Got a question for ya all!

I'm building my own computer for the first time (scary)but what i want to know is if at all possible,Can i take the hdd out of my old comp which is running vista and put it into my new comp and buy a windows 7 upgrade disc and install it.Or do i have to buy a full windows 7 pack?

Thanks for your help in advance

 

[WR2]

The price of an OEM (new build) Windows 7 disc should be very nearly the same as a Win7 upgrade disc.


It's actually less, especially if you buy it today. $20 off
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116986

Upgrade disc:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116713

 

[legendkiller]

Upgrade wont work, only a format need to be done for windows 7 to be installed...

 

[WR2]

An upgrade would work. But the only way I'd suggest an upgrade disc is if the Vista edition you bought was the full retail package.

If the Vista install on your old HDD is one that came with your PC (an OEM edition), you're better off going with the Win7 OEM for your new build.

 

[toyndb]

ah ok i just read that theres no microsoft support with the oem editions,dont know if that matters at all .As i stated this is my first build and i dont wanna mess it up

 

[toyndb]

one other quick question if i put the old hdd in my new build and i have the win 7 discs will it overwrite the vista programme?

 

[WR2]

There still is the free type MS support - plus you can always pay for support.
Just none of the 'paid support for free' you get with the full retail box during the first 90 days.

OEM is the right choice for a new build like you're doing.

 

[WR2]

How much free space do you have left on your HDD?

If you want to avoid over writing your Vista HDD you can always do a Custom (advanced) Windows 7 install.
You'll make a new partition on the HDD and install Win7 into that partition, leaving the Vista partition 'as is'.

 

[CDdude55]

The only problem that might arise is from having Vista under new hardware, it could/can cause instablity and you might find yourself fighting off BSODs instead of installing Windows 7.

If Vista runs stable for the most part with the new system then the Windows 7 upgrade disc should work fine.(even though i believe you can do a clean install with the upgrade version as well, cause i once actually accidently bought an upgrade versions of 7 and managed to install it with no preexisting OS).

So in short it should be fine if Vista can boot with the new hardware to do the upgrade, and if not you still should be able to do a clean install with the upgrade disc by booting from it. So you win either way.

 

[fantastik250]

It would be beneficial for you to purchase a windows 7 full retail disc and depending on your system 32bit or 64bit.

 

[WR2]

if i put the old hdd in my new build

Will the old HDD be the only drive in the new system? No other HDD/SSD?

 

[CDdude55]

There still is the free type MS support - plus you can always pay for support.
Just none of the 'paid support for free' you get with the full retail box during the first 90 days.

OEM is the right choice for a new build like you're doing.

+1, if you do not already own the upgrade version of 7, then go for the cheaper and still sufficent OEM version.

 

[toyndb]

ive got a small 80gb drive i was gonna put in for storing music on

 

[WR2]

Is that 80GB drive the only one?

 

[toyndb]

no ive got a 500gb that has vista on it and a blank 80gb for my music

 

[WR2]

How much free space does the 500GB drive have?

 

[toyndb]

at the miute 366gb but im gonna take a shed load of unused stuff off it

 

[WR2]

OK, once you've done that you'll have plenty of room for a Win7 installation.
You won't need to over-write the Vista install, if you want to keep it.

Just use the Custom (Advanced) installation option to create a new partition on the HDD and install Win7 there.

 

[toyndb]

ok i dont really want to keep vista for any reason,but im unsure how to erase it from the hdd before i put it into the neww pc?

 

[WR2]

Don't bother. After removing the stuff you don't need on the HDD you have two choices.

1. Do an Upgrade of Win7 over Vista (the Upgrade option).
2. Do a clean install on Win7 to replace Vista (the Custom (advanced) option).

 

[toyndb]

so let me get this right, the win 7 oem disc will overwrite the vista that is intalled on the hdd?

 

[WR2]

Yes.

 

[WR2]

Sorta.

 

[toyndb]

lol you didnt sound too sure bout that

 

[WR2]

I'm actually positive about that.
There's more too it though. It actually moves your Vista install to an folder called Windows.old

Custom Install Windows 7
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/20146-custom-install-windows-7-a.html