Has it been determined if you can use a valid Vista disk to validate a clean Win 7 install from an upgrade version?
If that isn't clear; can I do a clean install on a formatted HD with the Win 7 upgrade version by inserting at some point, my original Vista disk?
Thanks
Roll
Although nobody knows for sure. I don't believe that you will be able to upgrade anything which isn't installed and Activated. Microsoft hasn't done an actual media check in quite some time...so that method is almost guaranteed to not be an option.
No, inserting the disk for activation verification hasn't been in effect since XP, and MS has specifically announced that the Vista "upgrade over itself" will not work.
You need an activated XP/Vista/RC installed on the drive you start the upgrade from, then can do an Upgrade from Vista, or for Vista/XP/RC a Custom clean install overwrite or to another partition or HDD.
Afterward the XP/Vista/RC is not disabled or deactivated but is only restricted by the license agreement from use except for reinstalling the Upgrade. But doing an Image Backup with Win7's excellent Backup Imaging will make reinstalls a thing of the past!
I have used Symantec's Ghost program to create HDD images for several years now. Has always worked well for me when I had drive or OS failures.
How does "Win 7's excellent Backup Imaging" compare? Is Win really "backing up" the drive or does it create a full image of the HDD like Ghost does?
Thanks,
Roll
It creates a full image which can be used to reimage the same or another HDD. Works great.
I haven't used the full backup but it lets you choose the files, frequency and updates them incrementally, including the image if u choose. WHen I left my external plugged in it wanted me to set up a schedule which was flexible by date and/or when it is plugged in, background/idle, etc.
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