Windows 7: Installation Story/Question(s)

Hi, this is my first post so apologies in advance for any questions that are obvious...

I have purchased a download from digital river and converted that into and ISO and burnt that file to DVD.

I then attempted a clean install of Win 7, however this did not work. My PC eventually went on standby after displaying a blank screen for approximately 15mins.

I have since reinstalled Vista to find that I am running a 32 bit version and I have downloaded a 64 bit version of Win 7.

I thought about using another HDD to install Win 7 on so I can continue to use Vista if installation fails again.

Will this work? If it does, once installed how do I tell my PC to boot from the HDD that Win 7 is installed on?

If not, what can I do next?

Thanks in advance,

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The easiest way, without becoming all technical, to do what you want is to disconnect the Vista hard drive from the system when going to install 7 on a new hard drive.

Once Windows 7 is installed and running good, you can reattach the original Vista drive.

To choose between 7 or Vista, you can go into bios when booting (usually delete key, keep pressing it) and choose which hard drive is your default first boot device.

If you have both operating systems running well, we can then help you have a screen when you start your pc to choose either without going into bios.

Or we can get rid of Vista and reclaim its hard drive space.

That's all later on though, in your instance. Let us know if and when you need help.

All done now! Thanks!

Turns out, it was installing... when I had a blank screen on my monitor, the display was actually on my TV (I had forgotten my TV was connected ).

Works great, updated and running well.

Last question, what is the best value anti-virus as my current one is not compatible?

Thanks again

glad you got it running , and for AV and spyware I am quite impressed with Microsoft security essentials

Thanks

Will download that when I get home...

Welcome to Seven Forums Ad B,

Glad you got Windows 7 installed.

Microsoft security essentials has many excellent reviews on Seven Forums, It's a very good choice.

If your looking for any other programs check these two Seven Forums threads for Windows 7 tested free programs.

FREE Great Programs for Window 7

Free Native 64-bit programs

I installed Win 7, however I did not disconnect the Vista drive when I did. How do I go about removing Vista? I have tried formatting but it won't let me...?

Also, if I disconnect the Vista drive and try to run 7, it won't let me. Does this mean some of the Win 7 files are on the Vista drive?

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Your boot files are on the Vista drive (system partition.) Post a screenshot of disk management. We could move them.

I am at work at the moment, so it will be later when I can post a screenshot. There is no partition on the drive as far as I am aware. I removed the vista recovery partition last night.

Your boot files are on Vista drive and also what I quoted. There is at least one partition on the drive, for sure.