Remove OEM XP install and upgrade to Win 7 ?

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  1. Posts : 477
    Windows 7 Pro 64bit SP1
       #1

    Remove OEM XP install and upgrade to Win 7 ?


    I have another computer with XP Media Center installed by HP. I want to wipe this drive and install Win 7 Pro from the upgrade disk.

    The existing C: drive has both the XP installation and a hidden "recovery/restore partition. Here's my plan:

    1) Via Acronis or DiskWizard...I will delete both partitions on the existing C: drive.
    2) Reinstall a sperate licensed copy of Window XP Home Edition or W2000 Pro.
    3) install W7 Pro from my new W7 Pro upgrade DVD onto the C: drive
    4) reinstall all necessary programs and run my back up of WET from external drive

    Any problems here ?

    Thanks, Tim
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 901
    Windows 7 Ultimate 64bit
       #2

    trinaz said:
    I have another computer with XP Media Center installed by HP. I want to wipe this drive and install Win 7 Pro from the upgrade disk.

    The existing C: drive has both the XP installation and a hidden "recovery/restore partition. Here's my plan:

    1) Via Acronis or DiskWizard...I will delete both partitions on the existing C: drive.
    2) Reinstall a sperate licensed copy of Window XP Home Edition or W2000 Pro.
    3) install W7 Pro from my new W7 Pro upgrade DVD onto the C: drive
    4) reinstall all necessary programs and run my back up of WET from external drive

    Any problems here ?

    Thanks, Tim
    Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version
    You can do a clean install via the upgrade disc.
    When you delete the partitons with disc wizard,make sure you format them as NTFS/Primary and Active.
      My Computer

  3.    #3

    It isn't necessary to reinstall XP to use the Upgrade version.

    Boot the Win7 DVD, select Custom Drive Tools, delete all partitions, create New as you wish, then format before installing Win7 to first partition.

    The DVD will scan the HD at bootup, see XP and allow use of the Upgrade key.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 477
    Windows 7 Pro 64bit SP1
    Thread Starter
       #4

    Should I not detach the original OEM XP drive at some point in the installation ? What's the right time after the old xp is detected and upgrade key OK'd ?
      My Computer

  5.    #5

    You only refer to one C: drive in your OP. You said that is where your XP is installed along with a recovery partition you would also like to replace with Win7.

    To do this, you boot the Win7 DVD, select Custom install and use Advanced drive tools to delete all partitions, create New as you wish, then format before installing Win7 to first partition.

    If there is some other HD you failed to mention, please post back a screenshot of your full Disk Mgmt map or adequately describe the additional HD's you think might need to be detached.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 477
    Windows 7 Pro 64bit SP1
    Thread Starter
       #6

    opps...sorry...to many projects going at once. There are 2 other drives in the box besides the current C: drive with the HP OEM XP installation drive and the HP restore/repair partition (E:) also that's on the C: drive.

    2nd drive is newer drive...cleaned...set up as primary partition and NTFS file system. This is the destination drive for the W7 upgrade installation. The other (3rd) drive is another original HP drive that came with system ( HP Media Center PC ) and has music/movies/pics, etc back up files...no programs installed. These will be rearranged after W7 installation is complete/successful.

    After W7 installation the original C: drive operating now will be wiped and also used as storage/back up drive in box.

    Will take a little bit to send screen shot...box is operating but open. Will get screen shot off that computer...on to this one and post back.

    Thanks, Tim
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 477
    Windows 7 Pro 64bit SP1
    Thread Starter
       #7

    Here's screen shot from Computer Management:

    http://members.cox.net/trinaz/drives.jpg
      My Computer

  8.    #8

    I would swap the cables on Win7 and XP drives, since Win7 needs to be first HD to boot in BIOS boot order anyway. Having Win7 on DISK0 also assures the MBR can't be derailed to any partitions ahead of it.

    You can leave XP drive plugged to delete it during Win7 install; the installer will see XP when it scans the HD's and allow use of Upgrade key
    .
    I would also remove the drive letter from Win7 partition so that it can claim C: once XP is deleted. If you want the 100mb System Reserved partition (which puts the Repair console available on Advanced Boot Options accessed by tapping F8 at bootup) then delete the formatting you have made for Win7 and redo it using installer.

    Next boot the Win7 DVD, select Custom install, then Drive Tools (Advanced), delete the XP and Recovery partitions, then make sure you highlight the Win7 partition (or delete, create and reformat it if you want the 100mb Sys Reserved partition) before installing.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 477
    Windows 7 Pro 64bit SP1
    Thread Starter
       #9

    Thanks so much...I was under the impression that sata drives didn't much care which one was on 1, 2, or 3 etc. Good to know for sure !

    Just to be sure:

    1) Remove Drive letter "L" from drive labeled Win 7 Drive ( newest/fasted drive empty now )

    2) Switch cables on MB between Disk '0' - current C: drive - and disk 2 - current empty Win 7 destination drive.

    3) Remove/delete current partition on Win 7 Drive (now disk'0')

    4) Insert Win 7 DVD in DVD drive

    5) Reboot and set DVD as primary boot device in bios prior to Win 7 DVD startup

    6) From 'Custom Install' in Win 7 DVD...partition/format NTSF and create second 100 gb partition for Win 7 Recover Partition

    7) During this same operation...Win 7 has already ok'd the upgrade key from the old C: XP/Restore drive...and I can delete all partitions from the original C: drive during initial Win 7 setup under "Custom Install - Disk Tools (Advanced) " BEFORE the actual install of Win 7 on the 'new' C: drive ?

    The steps above will have validated the Win 7 upgrade key and DELETE the old C: drive XP/Restore partitions BEFORE the new Win 7 install begins...the upgrade key was validated and will proceed even after the old C: wipe (XP/Restore)?

    Thanks so much...will tackle this after lunch today !!

    Previous post Computer Management shot: http://members.cox.net/trinaz/drives.jpg

    Tim
      My Computer

  10.    #10

    Correct. When you boot the Win7 DVD, it scans the HD's to see XP and allow use of the Upgrade key so you don't need to use the workaround for clean installing with upgrade version.

    I would use Custom>Drive Tools to delete XP first, so that your focus can then remain on Win7 drive: delete, create New partition (accepting 100mb SysReserved partition), then format both before installing to new partition.
      My Computer


 
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