Installing Win 7 Upgrade question

[cork]

I'm planning on installing my Windows 7 Upgrade to a new hard drive after doing a clean install of my older XP software. When I install the XP OS, do I need to go in and do all the Windows Updates and Service Packs (My XP disk has SP2) before installing Win 7, or will Win 7 have all the updates and Service Packs required?
Thanks
Cork

[bozo]

You CAN do a clean install of Win 7, off an "Upgrade Win 7 disk", without first installing a previous version of Windows (XP). This is legal as long as you have a qualifying previous Windows OS, like XP

Read through this thread:
Installing "Upgrade" without "Full" license is NOT legal

[cork]

Great, thanks for the info and link bozo.

[cork]

I just went through that link again and have one more question. Do I have to format the new HDD before doing the Clean Install of Windows 7Upgrade on it?

[cork]

And yes, I do have a qualifying Windows XP OS.

[bozo]

I would. I'm not sure if ALL new HD's are formatted.

Secondly, since your starting from scratch, I would partition the drive into individual separate partitions. Put your Win7 on the first partition C:, and your programs & data on the second partition (you could even have more partitions if you want...I have 5). I don't know how big your new HD is, but your C: drive should be big enough to handle Win7, plus all future updates.

I have my C: partiton at 20 GB for Win XP, I think you should probably go bigger than that for Win7, depending on the size of your HD.

[cork]

I'm actually going to to a complete system build for the first time in about 8 years, so I don't have the HDD yet, but it will be large, 200 G or better most likely.
I haven't bought a HDD in a few years, but I don't recall ever getting one that was pre-formatted. So here's where my questions are coming from. I currently have my main system that is just getting too old to upgrade, that has XP Pro on it. I intend to keep that pc the way it is and use it as a backup and/or spare computer after I build the new one.
For the new computer, I have a different,unused, fully licensed XP Home OS disk. I was hoping to install my new Windows 7 Upgrade without installing XP first, just to save time and hassle. Which, from what I've read, should be fine. But I also read, that the Upgrade 7 version needs to be installed on a formatted HDD.
So, if the HDD doesn't come formatted, and Windows 7 Upgrade won't boot and format a non-formatted HDD... Can I format the new HDD on the old XP Pro machine and then clean install 7 on it in the new machine? Or do I need to format the HDD with the XP Home edition that I will be Upgrading, meaning installing XP Home first?
I know it sounds like a lot of question, but I'd like to not spend the extra time installing XP first if I don't need to.
And again, thanks for your help.

[bozo]

You could format the HD on any computer.

I have to believe that Win7 has the option of formatting...just as most of the past versions of Windows have had...I haven't installed Win7.

I would hookup the HD, set the bios to boot from CD or DVD (which ever you have in the computer) FIRST. Insert the Win7 installation disk...reboot & you should get to a prompt to format the HD.

I just did a fresh install of XP, by zero-filling the HD, then formatted it, & installed XP...WOW what a difference on a 7 yo computer...You may think about doing that on your old computer after you get your new one setup & going good.

[cork]

Yes, think it's time to just start picking out parts for the new build, and I'll just do whatever needs to be done when that time comes as far as installing the OS.
I know what you mean about cleaning out the old computer. I usually reformat the thing about every year to 2, but haven't tried zero filling it first. Think I will next time. The old computer runs pretty fast most of the time, just unable to upgrade things. Even adding RAM is not cost effective. But I like XP and will certainly hang on to the old thing till the support goes away.
Once again, I appreciate your input, and have wonderful holidays.
Thanks
cork

[JessicaD]

Cork,

Please note that when migrating from Windows XP to Windows 7 you will not have an "in place upgrade" option. You will however have the option to select "custom" install when prompted. The Windows 7 install process will then copy all of your data in "My Documents" over to a Windows.old folder within Windows 7 itself. All applications and documents stored in other locations will have to be reinstalled / transferred manually.
For more information on the Windows 7 Upgrade, please go here: http://bit.ly/3DvynK
For additional assistance with the migration of Windows XP to Windows 7, please go here: http://tinyurl.com/mhbep4

Jessica
Microsoft Windows Client Team

[cork]

Thank You JessicaD, excellent info. That will help quite a bit.
cork