Windows 7: Please Offer Advice on Installation

Hi everybody, I'm downloading the 64 bit Windows 7 RC right now, but I'm a bit nervous to install just yet, and want to clear a couple things up first.

First, my machine is a Toshiba Satellite A305 with Intel Core 2 Duo T750 2.0ghz with 4gb of ram. It's pretty new (Sept 2008), and runs 64 bit Vista very nicely. The upgrade adviser said everything would be fine, except there were 2 drivers that it said Windows Update would have to be run after the installation in order to fix compatibility. These are Ricoh SD/MMC Host Controller and Ricoh xD-Picture Card Controller. I really don't even know what these things mean, but will I have an issue here? And if something does go wrong, will I be able to restore my computer to how it currently is? I'm using the Backup and Restore Center to back my files onto an external hard drive right now. I also saved a restore point. However, I do not know how to reformat or partition or anything like that, so if I did install Windows 7 and it didn't work, what would happen to me? My biggest fear is messing my machine up and not knowing how to recover it without bringing it in. I read on other topics here that I should dual install Windows 7 with Vista. How does one specifically go about doing that? And how can I partition my hard drive or whatever so that it can be dual installed? And how do you select which OS you want it to run on startup? Lastly, my CD drive does not seem to read CD's correctly, so the recovery disc will be pretty useless, but can I still use the Backup Center if something goes wrong? And obviously I won't be able to install Windows 7 from a DVD since the reader doesn't work, so does the thumb nail drive trick work? Although I'd have to go get a new thumb drive big enough to hold this (My current holds 1gb) so if there's an alternate way to dual install I'd like to hear it, such as mounting the image or something. Otherwise, I would of course be willing to run out and get a flash drive to burn it from. I'm very excited to see Windows 7 but I really don't want to put my computer at risk, so hopefully with the support of this forum I will be able to make the change!



Thanks for any opinions,
Eric

The best for you is to wait a little some helps!!

For sure i can tell you NOT to upgrade your Vista system but to make a partition only for Windows 7 (depend how much Gb you can allow) and have at least 30gb or more for the new install.

Easeus Partition Master 3,5 Home edition 'freeware" does the job to partitioned the drive.

By now wait some advices from members to get news about booting from a flash drive (i have never done it), or, fix your CD/dvd drive....!

Thank you, I have 112gb free, and I'm going to download that software right now and play around with it. How much space is recommended for the partition?

I'm suggesting you, if you're not handling to much files on Vista to allow 45Gb to 50Gb max for an easy experience of Windows 7. I'm on 100Gb drive dualboot with XP home SP3. I have allow 30Gb to Windows 7 and it does works on a stunning way!

It is late night for me here and early morning for you...try to familiar with Easeus and i'll come to you (should be night for you). Others members should comes either to help!
See you...!


OUPS!!

i don't even know which part are you from. I told this 'cause was on another post to help for the same thing. But anyway you have understand me..

Hello yaco78,

Welcome to Seven Forums.

Here is info on how to shrink a partition to make room for dual boot. Partition or Volume - Shrink

I recommend at least 40GB but it depends on how many programs and such you want to install and whether your personal files are on another drive/partition.

You can install by downloading winrar and extracting the iso. Once done simply click on setup.exe and select custom install. Select the new partition you just created and let it install. I've done this several times with 7. Winrar here: WinRAR download and support. WinRAR is a powerful Windows tool to compress and decompress zip, rar and many other formats: Download now You will do all of this in Vista.

More info here on dual boot. Dual Boot Installation with Windows 7 and Vista

If you have anymore questions, you know where to find us.

Enjoy.

Gary

Edit: This will make Windows 7 the default boot option. If you want Vista to be default, let us know as it is very easy to change.

If all you have to do is double click on the setup.exe, why does everyone say that it first needs to be burned onto a physical disc and then be installed? Well this is good news nonetheless.

You also said What exactly do you mean by this? I currently have everything I need on my C drive. Is all of this data not going to be accessible when I'm running in Windows 7? I understand that 16gb are required for the installation, but this extra space is for personal files and programs? Meaning I'm going to have to copy everything over? Sorry I really don't know much about operating systems, which is kind of sad for having taken college level computer science courses. Is everything I do on Windows 7 going to stay strictly on my Windows 7? Or will it still be accessible if I boot up on Vista.
Thanks!

Not sure about that, im dualbooting Windows 7 and ubuntu, and from what i can say, is that Windows 7 wont allow access to ubuntu drive.what im getting at is that Windows 7 might not allow you to access files on a drive from another OS., if someone knows , please point that out.

Based on your post then, Assassin, after I dual install the two operating systems, in terms of the hard drive, it will be like I'm running two separate computers? If I need to start fresh in Windows 7, how can I get previously installed programs from my Vista over to my Windows 7, as i want Windows 7 to be my primary OS. And if I did want to replicate my original C drive over to Windows 7, does that mean I should partition my hard drive in half to make two equals?

You will be able to access all of your data on the Vista partition. If it doesn't show up in 7's windows explorer, you may have to go into disk management and give the drive a letter. Info here:Drive Letter - Add, Change, or Remove - Vista Forums for vista, but it's the same in 7.

Gary

^^^ theres your answer buddy, about the programs, you'll have to reinstall all the programs onto your windows 7 boot, unless the program from vista doesnt need registry items to run, otherwise, your clear, someone confirm this please.