New Windows 7 User, Almost

I am currently using XP Pro with SP3.

I am getting ready to install Windows 7 Home Edition on this old computer. The Windows 7 Installation Advisor says it will work so I guess we will soon know.

Before I take this step, does anyone have any advise that they would care to offer up. I see from comments here that this installation doesn't go smooth for everyone and I can't help but wonder why. XP was such a breeze.

Speaking of XP - I know the key for the XP that is loaded on this machine but I no longer have the disk. If I should need to reload XP for any reason, even on another machine, will this key work with a disk other than the one I had?

I run Win7 with 1gb RAM on an old Celeron HP 510 business laptop with no lags but also no Aero, so you can try it but you may want to upgrade to 2gb after testing it.

I´d use the free premium Acronis Imaging program which comes with any WD HD to backup XP, or free Macrium.

Boot the Windows 7 installer, choose Custom Install, then Drive Options (Advanced) to Delete all partitions not needed, following illustrated steps given here: Clean Install Windows 7.

The installer is mostly driver-complete, with newer arriving quickly via optional Windows Updates. Just in case, have your Wireless driver on flash stick or CD so you can get online quickly. Then enable hardware driver auto-updating and check for optional Updates frequently.

Any drivers still missing in Device Manager can be found on the Support Downloads webpage for your model computer or device. Driver Install - Device Manager

Install updates and then programs slowly over time to gauge performance changes after each. Don't let any programs write themselves into msconfig>Startup as they slow startup, become freeloaders on your RAM/CPU and can spy on you. I only allow AV and gadgets. Startup Programs - Change

Use a lightweight free AV like MS Security Essentials which works perfectly with Windows 7 Firewall. http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/

When it is finished, clean and order the HD perfectly using state-of-the-art free CCleaner Disk and Registry tabs, then Puran boot-time defragger + full Disk Check after adding Intelligent Optimizer on Additional Operations tab:
CCleaner - Free software downloads and software reviews - CNET Download.com
http://download.cnet.com/Puran-Defra...-75115626.html

Finally save a Windows 7 Backup image externally so you never have to reinstall again, just reimage the HD (or replacement) using DVD/Repair CD with the stored image. Backup Complete Computer - Create an Image Backup

Thanks for the feed back.

I don't think I am technically versed enough to handle this; especially since the computer is working just fine while running XP.

Windows 7 is not a necessity and I can not justify the cost of upgrading this computer just so that I can run an OS that I must go out and buy.

When it breaks down, I will reevaluate the whole situation. Maybe then a new high powered computer with the latest Windows OS will be there for me.