2 HDD on windows xp machine - want to move to new windows 7 machine

[Aclc]

I have a windows xp machine with a 250 gb and 400 gb HDDs. I want to move these drives to my new pc build and install windows 7 on a 80 gb partition of my 250 gb HDD (using the rest of my 250 gb HDD for data) and have the 400 gb HDD for data only. What is the best way to approach this?

 

[bigmck]

I have a windows xp machine with a 250 gb and 400 gb HDDs. I want to move these drives to my new pc build and install windows 7 on a 80 gb partition of my 250 gb HDD (using the rest of my 250 gb HDD for data) and have the 400 gb HDD for data only. What is the best way to approach this?

You should have a partition big enough for both your Win 7 and your programs. They need to be together as the programs put things in the Win 7 registry. Make your partition bigger than 80 GB. You would know better as to how big that might be. Could you post a screen shot of your Disk Management and we can see exactly what it looks like now. Thanks,

 

[Aclc]

So even if I bought a ssd drive (ie 60 GB), I would not be able to install the OS only on this drive and use my other drives for data and programs? How do you use more than 1 drive with windows 7?

 

[James7679]

I have windows 7 x64 home premium, bf3, and all kind of other programs installed on a 64gig ssd. You just need to know how to do it. After sp1 and all other updates, I still have 27 gig free.

See Here http://www.sevenforums.com/hardware-devices/214737-will-64gb-ssd-big-enough.html
The good folks here at SevenForums helped me out with this.

 

[bigmck]

So even if I bought a ssd drive (ie 60 GB), I would not be able to install the OS only on this drive and use my other drives for data and programs? How do you use more than 1 drive with windows 7?

You didn't say anything about a SSD in your first post. It is not a problem to use more than one drive. You just want to put your programs on the same partition with the OS. You can then put your Data on other Hard Drives or Partitions.

 

[gregrocker]

You can keep data on the other HD and link it to the related libraries which is how WIn7 organizes Documents, Pictures, Videos, etc. User folders for easy access from the Explorer bar: Library - Include a Folder - Windows 7 Forums

Use the Custom Install Drive Options shown in this tutorial to delete your partitions and then if you want one large install partition just click Next and the installer will create and format it for you: Clean Install Windows 7

I'd start by installing the Programs on the OS drive but when it gets close to full start directing the program installers to the other HD. It's best to keep the OS/Programs together since Programs write Registry keys to the OS which integrate them into it. If Win7 becomes irreparable and you wish to reimage from a stored image of OS/Programs, you don't have to reinstall programs and your data is current and ready in its separate HD partition. Backup Complete Computer - Create an Image Backup
System Image Recovery

 

[Aclc]

Can I use an upgrade version of Windows 7 or do I need the full version; since I plan on removing the HDD with windows xp OS from my old PC and putting it in my new PC (with a new mobo)?

Thanks for everyone's help!

 

[gregrocker]

If this is XP which came preinstalled then it will not qualify to use Win7 Upgrade version on the new machine, nor is the XP license valid on the new machine.

If you have any other copy of XP or Vista laying around you can use it to qualify for Win7 Upgrade version. It doesn't even have to be installed first on the new machine. Just clean install Win7, leave the Product Key blank during install, then after install do the quick registry workaround given here to activate Upgrade version on a clean HD: Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version

Otherwise you will have to buy a new full retail copy of XP and Win7, or to get a price break consider System Builder's OEM.

I would virtualize XP within Win7 using XP Mode which is built in to Ultimate/Pro versions, free Virtual Box, Virtual Player or VMWare. Trying to install XP on newer hardware is becoming harder since the newer SATA drivers are not in the XP CD requiring SATA Drivers - Slipstream into Windows XP CD

 

[Aclc]

My version of xp was preinstalled on my dell dimension, which I will be pulling the HDD from....so I guess I need to buy the full windows 7 version.

So if I am understanding what everyone is saying, I should use my 250 GB HDD for windows 7 OS / programs (make it my C: drive) and my 400 GB HDD for "my documents" along with other data. Then I would do an image backup of my C: drive in case windows 7 becomes corrupted?

 

[gregrocker]

Yes, that will work. On the old computer transfer data you want saved to the larger HD.

Then install the 250gb HD first to new computer, boot the WIn7 DVD to Clean Install Windows 7.

After install, plug in the larger HD, access the data you want, either link it in its existing folders to the related Win7 Library, or organize it into similar User folders you can link the same way: Library - Include a Folder - Windows 7 Forums.