Windows 7: Install on a new HDD - not formatted yet

Probably an easy question but one I have never done before as I have always installed to an existing partition.

Been having problems with Win 7 64bit and with a few BSOD and with no driver support for my Canon scanner I have decided to go and install 32bit version.

I have purchased a new HDD which I want to partition into 2 to create an O/S partition and the other for data etc.

During a custom install will it give me the option to format and create a partition from my new HDD and seelctteh size that I want?

Easy question but worth asking before I kick this off tonight

Thanks

Kwack

For a new hard drive out of the box(often called "raw") you have the option of using the drive tools included on the Windows install disk or a 3rd party partitioning program to create the two partitions and format them for use. I see we both have the same case too!

The program often used here and about to be used once more is the free Linux tool GParted you download and burn to cd or write to a usb flash drive in order to boot from that first. Others often use the Diskpart tool while booted in one Windows install to partition another drive.

Once the new drive is in you can also boot up from the present 64bit 7 and use the Disk Management tool there for creating the new partitions and formatting them from there as well. You simply have to decide which one you will use for the basic task there.

Ok got it. I was going to disconnet my existing HDD, install my new one and then boot from DVD and run through the install procedures from there.

If I went with that option woudl Win 7 find teh unallocated HDD and ask to create and format the partition?

If I went with loading Windows 7 64 bit and did my formatting on teh new HDD etc and then did an install of 32 bit, wouldnt this cause a dual boot environment which I am not after as I want to eventually remove 64bit?

Thanks for the response

Kwack

If you plug the new drive into the first sata port and providing no ide hard drvies are present and set that as the new default boot device the 32bit install will become the default OS automatically! You would still have the option to boot into the 64bit Windows and can easily reformat and remove the 64bit's drive unless used for additional storage.

Once you remove the 64bit 7 you can easily remove the entry for it from the 32bit's boot options as well using a free BCD tool called BellaVista which needs no installation! System Tools - BellaVista

The one thing to note is that the rar file downloaded will contain two versions of the same tool in folders marked x86 and x64. The BellaVista exe file will still see the same name however inside each folder when you extract them. You would want the 32bit version unless you simply unplug the drive the 64bit installation is presently on until the 32bit is up and running on the new HD.

Which model Cannon scanner do you there by the way? If that sees Vista 64bit updates you can those for the 64bit 7 usually without any problem since the compatibility between the two versions is strong! I use Vista updates on the 64bit main drive here.

So can I just plug in the new HDD and install 32 bit to it rather than unplug my existing HDD with 64 bit on it.

I have the upgrade version of Win 7 so not sure whether if I did just a clean install with teh new HDD only if it would bomb out as it couldnt find any windows versions anywhere

Alos my Canon scanner is Lide20 which I have found no 64bit drivers for and numerous google posts complainign about it

Kwack

Ouch! You may want to review the following on upgrade media. Microsoft SMB Community Blog : Regardless of what any hack says, a Windows 7 Upgrade is an Upgrade. What you need to know.

The first I advise to anyone planning an upgrade of version on a fresh drive is to get a full version disk. As you will see there an upgrade means just that to upgrade a previous full version install such as seen on premade systems.

As far as Windows 7/Vista there are 32bit updates available. But when clicking on the OS seletor for the older model scanner you have there for Vista 64bit the following was seen.

Photo Scanners - USB Flatbed Scanner - CanoScan LiDE 20 - Canon USA Consumer Products

Thanks for the advice. I have seen walkthoughs on installing to fresh drives using an upgrade disc.

My PC touch wood seems to be behaving itself and not getting BSOD at the moment which I think was related to the canon scanner. So may just stay with 64 bit for time being and ensure I have a backup procedure in place for future.

In terms of using my new 1.5 tb drive which is likely to be faster than my current one with the OS on. Is it possible to clone the Win 7 partition onto it and then boot from then and decommission the 500gb drive?

Thanks for all the assistance

Kwack

You can install Windows 7 to a new or formatted HD using a workaround even MS is giving out Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version

Just be sure to have a qualifying XP/Vista license on hand.

Boot from the DVD and select Custom>Advanced drive tools and take all the time you need to do your partitioning, then format before installing Windows 7 to the partition you have highlighted.

I will wait for the new HD to torun up in the post. THe problem I think I have with my current HD is that teh windows partition is not the 1st sector that it reads but is over to the right which is not ideal I am led to believe.

Can I remove the other partition and move the Win one over to it? This is on disk 1

Ignore Disk 0 as this is an old IDE drive and will decomission once new HD turns up

Thanks

Kwack

Kwack, yes it can be done.

Move the data off of the first partition. Make a Windows 7 backup image of the System and Windows 7 drives which you save externally in case you need to start over, as moving operations can fail. Or at least back up the data.

Download free Partition Wizard bootable and burn to CD: http://www.partitionwizard.com/download.html

Boot into PW right click D:Games and Delete. Now right click 100mb System Reserved and Delete or Resize/move, if moving drag the partition over snugly against the left border.

Now right click C: Windows 7 and Resize/Move, dragging its left border over against the System Reserved or left border, resize C: as desired.

Next, if you deleted Sys Reserved partition, rightclick C: and Modify: Set Active., Apply all steps.

Now boot into the Windows 7 DVD Repair console and run Startup Repair 3 separate times as it will need to repair or rewrite the MBR to System Reserved or Windows 7 Partition.