windows XP to 7 installation help.

hi

i am completely new here and i would like to get a simple yet detailed answer to a question that is troubling my mind

i have xp sp3 i am going to install win7 64bit but to do so i have to increase my c drive space which is at 10gb to 25gb which i will do no problem but the question is that during the installation of 7 will my other partitions namely d e f g (yes i have these!) remain the same? will my data on these partitions remain unaltered and i will be able to access it after 7?

i dont want my data to be gone or hard disk merged to just one which i am thinking could happen correct me if i am wrong please.

please answer quickly please

It's always best to have your data backed up externally in case of HD failure, and cannot be guaranteed safe during an install to the same HD. However if you take extra care not to touch the partitions where you have the data stored, then it should not be affected.

25gb is small for an OS partition. If I were you I'd want double that if you plan to install many programs or store your data on C.

If you find a way to back up your data externally, on the network, or to the cloud, you can delete all partitions on the HD and start fresh creating new ones as you wish as shown in Step 6/7 of Clean Install Windows 7.

Or if you'd like us to advise you on how to enlarge C, post back a screenshot of your maximized Disk Mgmt drive map and listings, using the Snipping Tool in Start menu. Attach file using paper clip in reply box. Tell us what is on each partition and what you'd like to do exactly.

Mark Phelps said:

untilted413 said:

...
i dont want my data to be gone or hard disk merged to just one which i am thinking could happen correct me if i am wrong please...

Sounds like you plan to increase the size of the C: partition to install Win7 inside it, right?

You do realize that will effectively erase the contents of that partition -- as MS does not provide an "upgrade path" from XP to Win7 that allows you to reuse your settings and applications, right?

yes i am trying to install 7 by increasing the size of c drive using partition manager from 10gb to 25gb and i am not going to store any other data on c except the os and microsoft softwares etc

ofcourse i know that will erase the data on c drive when i will install 7 but i am worried about my other partitions will they be affected in any way will my data on those partitions be safe? i know that if i dont touch them in the installation process they will be safe but this is the first time i am going to install 7 so i dont know actually what will happen to those partitions will they be merged ? if not please give me any advise u will like

Please open Disk Management, maximize the window.

Then press the Prt Scrn or Print Screen key.

Open Paint and Paste the clipboard into it.

Save the file, attach it using the paper clip in reply box. Tell us what is on each partition in reply.

While you wait, take a look at Skydrive , where you can upload your files for storage to the web with 7gb free for each Windows Live ID. Is this possibly an option for you so you can back up your files?

Or do you have another PC on the network there you can transfer your files for backup?

How much data do you have to backup exactly?

Answer all questions, skipping none.

what are u talking man i dont have win7 installed i have xp

the disk management screenshot u are asking is for 7 right?

No, if I'd asked for WIn7 screenshot I would have said to use it's Snipping Tool.

I gave you the steps to attach an XP screenshot.

And do not address me that way if you want my help. You are at the top tech forum in the world, so act like it.

gregrocker said:

Please open Disk Management, maximize the window.

Then press the Prt Scrn or Print Screen key.

Open Paint and Paste the clipboard into it.

Save the file, attach it using the paper clip in reply box. Tell us what is on each partition in reply.

While you wait, take a look at Skydrive , where you can upload your files for storage to the web with 7gb free for each Windows Live ID. Is this possibly an option for you so you can back up your files?

Or do you have another PC on the network there you can transfer your files for backup?

How much data do you have to backup exactly?

Answer all questions, skipping none.

thx for replying here are the answers
my d drive has 25gb+ of videos that i dont want to lose no way
e drive has further videos and games
f has pictures,games
g has pictures and videos

d e f drives are 35gb each while g is 30gb total 160gb harddisk
c drive is 10gb i am going to increase its size using partition manager and take the free space from d e f drives is that possible?

just give me confirmation that after installation will my d to g drive data be safe or deleted merged what if my drives dont show up in 7? could this happen if yes then how to deal with it

as far as backup is concerned i cant upload that much data on the cloud on such short time but maybe i will be able to store on my laptop which by the way runs 7

i think u are online now can we please chat on some platform please?

i have a lot of questions