First custom PC build (Q's)

Regarding Easy Transfer:

It usually works.

Sometimes it doesn't.

Plan accordingly--i.e., back up your personal data separately, to another hard drive, DVDs, USB drive, or whatever you may have.

OK, thanks, but see when I'm installing Windows 7, do I click 'Upgrade' or 'Custom'?

Nearly everyone here will tell you to choose custom.

This is what I would advise.
Get a USB HD, a 2 TB one is qutie cheap. I use one for backup reasons only.
It sounds like apart from the sound and memory you are building a new computer.
You will need to get a new windows disk to install onto this computer.
Back up all your DATA, ie Pictures, filems music onto the newly bought USB drive then do a fresh install of windows.

roy69 said:

This is what I would advise.
Get a USB HD, a 2 TB one is qutie cheap. I use one for backup reasons only.
It sounds like apart from the sound and memory you are building a new computer.
You will need to get a new windows disk to install onto this computer.
Back up all your DATA, ie Pictures, filems music onto the newly bought USB drive then do a fresh install of windows.

I've backed up most of my things.

Wait, if I select 'Custom' that will wipe the drive, can't I select which my main drive is, so it doesn't wipe the one with my data? I mean that's the hole point of this conversation...
Also, my monitor (currently) is VGA, but my motherboard has an integrated ATI Radoen Hd 4290 that's supports VGA, but my 6950 only supports DVI, HDMI and Mini-Display. Unfortunetly XFX (The brand of the 6950) didn't include the adapter, so untill I can access one of those, how am I supposed to tell the system which card to use?

What do you mean by "main drive". I thought you only had 1 drive. That's the "main drive".

Yes, it will wipe your drive. That's what a custom install does. That's why you back stuff up first!

But you need the retail Windows disc. Did you buy one?

ignatzatsonic said:

What do you mean by "main drive". I thought you only had 1 drive. That's the "main drive".

Yes, it will wipe your drive. That's what a custom install does. That's why you back stuff up first!

But you need the retail Windows disc. Did you buy one?

No, I have 2 hard drives. 1 NEW WD Caviar Black 1TB and the OLD Seagate 320GB that has my stuffs. Like I said, I want to move my data from 1 disc to the other. And I don't have a copy of the OS yet, but I will get one soon.

Install the new components, including the new empty drive.

Disconnect completely the old drive, so nothing can be written to it.

Install Windows on the new drive.

After the PC is operating well, maybe the next day, reconnect your old drive and transfer your stuff to the new drive.

Then disconnect your old drive and remove it. Or better yet, reformat it and use it for a backup drive.

You don't lose your data during the install because the drive with the data isn't even connected.

Be sure your memory (RAM) will work on the new motherboard. You may need new RAM.