Thinking of switching to 7, but need a few answers firs

Be sure to make your Vista recovery disks off of that Recov partition as it will be disabled when you install Win7. There is no recovery partition created during Win7 install, although you can make a primary formatted partition to store the Win7 backup image in addition to storing it externally in case of HD failure.

Here is the best tutorial: Clean Install Windows 7

I think you'll be surprised at how driver-complete the Win7 installer is. It really isn't necessary to install any drivers except those missing in Device manger after install, or if performance dictates. Other drivers/apps can be found on your manufacturer's Support Downloads webpage for your computer model.

Ok thanks, I'll need to reinstall all of my games and everything too right? they wont be saved in my windows.old folder? And where do I make the Windows 7 backup image?
Like basically on my computer right now there is a 6 gig recovery partition, and it would be nice if I could do the same thing when I install Windows 7.

It will take more than 6 gigs to store a Win7 Backup Image. I'd boot from DVD, use Custom Drive Tools to delete all partitions, create new one(s) then format before installing to first partition.

After you get your programs/games installed and have it where you want it, create Win7 System Image by first ticking DVD box to see what size it wants to make it, then in Disk Managment size a Primary partition to store it, and/or store it on external HD.

If the image is too large, you might want to store data on another logical partition and back it up separately to external.

Would I also be able to instead create the backup image, and burn it to a DVD and put it on my external drive as a secondary backup, and just do away with the partition completely?

You should create your Vista backup DVD set now so you can delete the Recovery partition during Win7 install.

The Win7 backup is an image file that is saved to a primary partition on another HD or external, then used to reimage the HD or a replacement by booting the Win7 DVD repair console and selecting "Recover Using An Image"

ive got my vista backup discs already burned, so if the windows 7 install somehow goes horribly wrong, i can use those backup dvds to restore things?
thanks for all your help. im confident now in installing windows 7

ok thanks. im backing everything up right now, its goin faster than i thought it would, im always nervous reformatting cause i keep thinking ill forget something