installing Win 7 over a Vista

I'm about to wipe a Vista computer completely with a new Win 7 Ult SP1 disc, not an upgrade version, that I bought it some time ago. The Vista was given to me, and it has better hardware than this one(see my sig,) but there's nothing on the HD to save.

I've read through this tute:
Clean Install Windows 7
It tells about doing it on a version prior to Vista. Is that different from doing it on Vista? Are there are any caveats before I begin? I'm afraid of turning my machine into an expensive doorstop.

It doesn't really matter what OS is on it if you want to do a clean install. In fact since you are on Vista you can do an upgrade as long as you use the same edition (32-bit or 64-bit). I have never heard of a Windows clean install physically damaging hardware. Worst case scenario the install messes up and you have to do it again.

You do need to make sure that you have all of the drivers from the manufactuer's website preferably for 7 however I have had Vista drivers work on 7.

Thanks. I don't know how to do an upgrade. I've been putting it off for many months. Will report back if this goes well... or if it doesn't.

The original owner's husband passworded himself as the only admin long ago. I can't install my usual driver-saver program, WinDriverBackup. How would I save the drivers?

export drivers to a FOLDER on usb/external hard drive using dism++.

Boot up this media. Open dism++ ( it is on the desktop - ignore what it says about less than 5gb space - that is only required if you are doing a full update session).

17514x86.iso

17514x64-v8.iso

Clcik on the windows partition displayed along the top of dism++.

Click Open Session

Click Drivers in the left pane.Tick them.

Click Export.

Piece of cake.

Alternatively:

Go to manufactureres website and download the drivers from there. Get the drivers before installing

I can't install Dism++ or any program. Can I run it without installing it?

Boot up the boot media I linked to.

It includes dism++

I have just tested - dism++ does not do driver servicing on Vista. It is for win7 and newer. ( I think earlier versions of dism++ used to )

I will include another driver tool in upcoming boot media.

Included drivergrabber and doubledriver

17514x64-v9.iso

So your angry bird face is just a mask?

I know it's an avatar.

SIW2--what does doubledriver do?

I'm waiting till I have a lot of time to do the install.