Windows 7 - External Hard Drive and Cable

As soon as I receive the DVD, with Windows 7 in October, I plan to put it on an external hard drive. After I am sure that all is working well, will I be able to transfer it to my Computer Drive C; if so is there a special cable that I should use (such as the special cable needed for Windows Easy Transfer)?

rich

Do you mean install on the external drive or just copy from external to C:?

Ken

Thanks for the quick response. My thought is to use it on the external; test it, enjoy, it, make any tweaks. When, I am sure that it is working perfectly, transfer it to C drive (replace Vista). I do not want to take a chance and do something that will cost me Vista, prior to having a 7, working properly.

why not:

a) double boot
b) add xtra internal drive
c) repartition existing drive and install on new partition?

Sorry to say but you can't install Windows 7 to an external HD (via USB)...now if you are running an external HD off of SATA/IDE cables coming from the Tower...than that is another story. The reason you can't do the latter is due to the fact that Windows re-initializes USB devices when it starts...so to conclude it would kill itself every time it boots

and what mr Smartypants said ofcourse

*GASP* I would not dare say you would be directing said comment to me would you petrossa?!?

You know you could dual boot, both vista and win 7 on the same drive if yoou have the space. It might be easier to do that than "transfer" (and it wouldn't be a transfer per se) win 7 to the other drive. there are tutorials here at sevenforums about dual booting i think.

let us know what you want to do

Ken

Ken, I am in the situation that I know just enough to get into trouble. I have enjoyed surfing the net for 10 years now. I have recently retired and I have developed a strong interest in computers. I feel that I know enough to change OS and do a lot more. I, however, do not have the confidence (yet) to tamper with partions of a HD with my Vista on it.

Question, if I follow the on screen instructions, while changing OS and something goes wrong at the end of the transfer, and I do not have 7 installed, would Vista be gone; would I be forced to, download Vista again, from the disk that came with Dell computer and then try to get 7 back (from the upgrade disc)?

Can a SATA cable be used in place of a USB?

e
Here is what I would do. Easy version. take the HD vista is on (how big is it) and if it is big enough shrink the vista partition down to abt 20 gigs. With the remaining space create a prtition of abt 30 gigs for win 7.

If something goes horribly wrong (and I assume you made a back up) vista would still be viable. You could always delete win 7 and do it again. vista is still there.

The reason I dont suggest "transfering" the external to the internal is because its not as easy as copying files you have to make edits to the bootloader (in bcedit) and thats more difficult.

The most bullet proof way :install win 7 on the external HD. If and when you find you like it, then install it on the internal (yeah its a PITA, but).

Clean installs are almost always preferable.

Ken