Solved Should I prepare my HDD for a fresh install of 7 Ultimate?

[RoloDman]

I currently have Windows 7 Home Premium. I just got the Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit cd and I plan to install it.

Do I need to do anything to my HDD or can I just boot from the CD and install?


P.S. I do not care to save anything that is on my HDD, I am fine with a full overwrite.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

No. Just dive in.

 

[Petey7]

I remember reading on another thread that you can type you product key into the anytime update thing and unlock the features only available in Ultimate without having to reinstall windows.

 

[merkat106]

I currently have Windows 7 Home Premium. I just got the Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit cd and I plan to install it.

Do I need to do anything to my HDD or can I just boot from the CD and install?


P.S. I do not care to save anything that is on my HDD, I am fine with a full overwrite.

You're fine as long as your existing os is in good shape.

 

[derekimo]

I remember reading on another thread that you can type you product key into the anytime update thing and unlock the features only available in Ultimate without having to reinstall windows.

That's right, Jonathan_King did that too, no problem at all.

http://www.sevenforums.com/installa...essional-using-upgrade-disk-2.html#post846411

 

[gregrocker]

Depends on whether you feel you need a clean reinstall. If you're happy with your present install's performance, then you can simply unlock Ultimate features by inserting your Ultimate Product Key into Windows Anytime Upgrade.

But if you feel your rig can perform better with a clean reinstall, boot from the Ultimate DVD and clean your HD first before install: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/91339-ssd-hdd-optimize-windows-reinstallation.html

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1649-clean-install-windows-7-a.html

Then you know you've gotten as clean as you can get.

 

[Bill2]

Why do you feel the need to upgrade from home premium to Ultimate? Are there some particular features that you miss in Home premium that you can think Ultimate can provide?

If not, save the Ultimate license for another machine or another time. OTOH, if its a considered decision, make sure you image your current install to an external media. That'll let you revert to home premium at a later date with all your apps and windows activation intact. If its an OEM machine, create the recovery dvds before switching.

Also remember that an upgrade install obsoletes the license for the underlying OS (unless you have a full version Ultimate disk).

 

[Harvey Meale]

Hi, RoloDman.

Before you jump right in, you should be aware of one thing. If you're currently running the Windows 7 Home Premium 32-bit version, and you wish to use an upgrade CD to get Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit version, I don't think it'll work.

When I was running Windows Vista 32-bit, and tried to upgrade to Windows 7 64-bit through an upgrade CD, it wouldn't let me. I believe if you're going from 32-bit to 64-bit, you're going to have to get a full installation CD. I can't be 100% sure on this, so by all means go ahead and give it a go. I don't know whether you're running a 64-bit operating system now or not, that's all.

Obviously, you're going to have to confirm that your hardware is all compatible with 64-bit software before making the transition (if you are).

Another thing to consider, also, is what you use your computer for. Some software isn't compatible with 64-bit operating systems, which is why you're going to have to check that any applications you currently use on a regular basis are compatible with your new operating system.

Thanks,
Harvey Meale

 

[gregrocker]

When I was running Windows Vista 32-bit, and tried to upgrade to Windows 7 64-bit through an upgrade CD, it wouldn't let me. I believe if you're going from 32-bit to 64-bit, you're going to have to get a full installation CD. I can't be 100% sure on this, so by all means go ahead and give it a go. I don't know whether you're running a 64-bit operating system now or not, that's all.

Hi Harvey.

I wish you'd found us earlier, as we could have told you that you don't need to buy a full version to upgrade to Win7 from Vista, even while changing from 32 to 64 bit. You're entitled to either 32- or 64-bit with each Win7 license, and having Vista qualifies you for Upgrade version even if you have to format the HD before install to change bit version.

When you boot Win7 DVD it scans the HD to see any OS, which passes a flag to allow Upgrade version key - even if you then go on to repartition and format using Custom>Drive Options. This is how you would change from 32 bit Vista to 64 bit Win7 using the Upgrade version you qualify for.

 

[Harvey Meale]

Hi, RoloDman.



When I was running Windows Vista 32-bit, and tried to upgrade to Windows 7 64-bit through an upgrade CD, it wouldn't let me. I believe if you're going from 32-bit to 64-bit, you're going to have to get a full installation CD. I can't be 100% sure on this, so by all means go ahead and give it a go. I don't know whether you're running a 64-bit operating system now or not, that's all.

Hi Harvey.

I wish you'd found us earlier, as we could have told you that you don't need to buy a full version to upgrade to Win7 from Vista, even while changing from 32 to 64 bit. You're entitled to either 32- or 64-bit with each Win7 license, and having Vista qualifies you for Upgrade version even if you have to format the HD before install to change bit version.

When you boot Win7 DVD, it scans the HD to see any OS which passes a flag to allow Upgrade version key - even if you then go on to repartition and format using Custom>Drive Options. This is how you would change from 32 bit Vista to 64 bit Win7 using the Upgrade version you qualify for.

Thanks for clarifying this with me, gregrocker!

 

[RoloDman]

solved

 

[derekimo]

solved

Thanks for posting back, just out of curiosity, what method did you use?

 

[RoloDman]

solved

Thanks for posting back, just out of curiosity, what method did you use?

I decided to just install from the CD, becuase I bought it already .

I erased everything and did a fresh install.

Things seem to be working well, better than before actually.

Since I just did a fresh install and did not do anything else to prepare my HDD, do you think I made a mistake?

 

[gregrocker]

I erased everything and did a fresh install.

Things seem to be working well, better than before actually.

Since I just did a fresh install and did not do anything else to prepare my HDD, do you think I made a mistake?

Not if performance is ok.

If you deleted all partitions, repartitioned and then formatted this is enough.

Remember you can move that retail Ultimate anywhere and go back to using the Home Premium using the Product Key stickered to your machine. Unless you need the extra features Ultimate provides on that machine you are wasting a $100+ HP license as long as you're not using it.

 

[Harvey Meale]

solved

Since I just did a fresh install and did not do anything else to prepare my HDD, do you think I made a mistake?

Hi, RoloDman.

You'll be fine. When doing a fresh install, the disk is sanitized and you should see no problems. Best of luck!

Thanks,
Harvey Meale

 

[derekimo]

solved

Thanks for posting back, just out of curiosity, what method did you use?

I decided to just install from the CD, becuase I bought it already .

I erased everything and did a fresh install.

Things seem to be working well, better than before actually.

Since I just did a fresh install and did not do anything else to prepare my HDD, do you think I made a mistake?

Not at all, sounds like you're good to go. I was just curious.

Enjoy your fresh install, you should make an image as soon as you get it all set up

that way you've got a clean setup to roll back to if you ever need it.

 

[RoloDman]

a lot of love in this thread

 

[derekimo]

a lot of love in this thread

Aww Shuucks, 'twernt nuthin'

 

[RoloDman]

Disk Image made!

I used Reflect free (Macrium) or something like that. It also asked me if I want to make the disk image XML and I said yes. That ok?

 

[derekimo]

Disk Image made!

I used Reflect free (Macrium) or something like that. It also asked me if I want to make the disk image XML and I said yes. That ok?

Excellent!!!

Did you make the rescue cd too?