Installing Windows 7

I will be getting Windows 7 Home Premium soon and I have a few questions. I currently have Vista 32 bit and will be using the 64 bit version of windows 7 so I know I have to clean install. If i buy the upgrade version of windows 7 can I clean install with it or do I need to buy the full version.

Also I have two hard drives. On my second hard drive I have some programs and games and pictures. If I do a clean install does it erase the C drive only or both? If it dosent erase both will the programs installed on the second hard drive work if they were originally installed under vista? ty

My best advise is to do a custom installation during setup or if possible disable your secondary drive in Bios and job done I'd go for the second if I were you.

The link will tell you how to do clean installs with an upgrade media. Also, I agree about doing the clean install. The data on your second drive will not be altered. However, I do believe the drive needs to be added to the new Master Boot Record which should be done by the OS during the install.

Save $80 on your Windows 7 purchase - the Upgrade does full installs, too

You DO NOT want your data drive to be involved with the MBR of Win7 at all. To be sure, disconnect your data drive during installation.

Then boot from the Win7 DVD, select to "Connect to the internet during install" to get latest drivers/Updates into installer during install, then Custom install, use Advanced drive tools to repartition as desired, then format the Win7 partition before install.

Afterwards, Windows Updates will have newer drivers. Any missing in Device Manager can be found on the Support Downloads page for your model computer.

You can replug your data drive and it should be seen in Explorer; if not locate it in Disk Management and assign a letter.