Clean or Custom or What?

[BobZolto]

I am upgrading an XP machine to Win 7 with new mobo, memory, cpu, psu, etc. I am keeping the present 320GB HD (That has XP on it) to use for OS and programs and adding a 1TB HD to be used for data.

I plan to install the new HD, moce data to it, disconnect it and then put Win 7 on the old drive. What is the best method? Wipe it and then do a clean install? Do a custom install keeping XP? None of the above?

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Hello.



Here's the best option for the best possible install, then create a single 100GB partition to install Windows 7 to; you can also use the Windows 7 installer to wipe (secure erase) the old XP install if you choose.

SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation

How to Do a Clean Installation with Windows 7




If you want to reinstall XP I would do it on a separate HDD while the Windows 7 HDD is disconnected so they won't be tied together by the Windows boot loader, then connect the Windows 7 HDD and use the BIOS one-time boot menu to select which HDD/OS to boot

One-time Boot Menu
​

• Asus - F8
• HP/Compaq - Esc
• Sony - F2
• Acer - F2
• Gateway - F10
• eMachnes - F10
• Toshiba - F12
• Dell - F12
• IBM/Lenovo - the blue Thinkvantage button

 

[TVeblen]

Do you have a need to run or use XP after you've installed W7?
That's your only question, really.

If you want to move on and leave XP behind then you want to wipe the hard drive and install W7 clean.

If you want to dual boot XP and W7, then you want to do a custom install to use both OS. There are good tutorials here to be sure to read to do this properly.

EDIT: Just like Barefoot Kid posted above!

 

[BobZolto]

No desire to keep XP. My plan, as I outlined above is to install the new drive, move data from the old drive to it, then disconnect the new drive and install the new hardware. I would then wipe the old hard drive and install Win 7 (which is an OEM version).

 

[LiquidSnak]

Honestly, that's the easiest way is just move files to the storage drive, and then follow the tutorial on here for a clean installation of Windows 7 that BarefootKid posted

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

If that Windows 7 OEM has been installed and activated to a motherboard previously you may not get it to activate to a new mobo.

 

[BobZolto]

It hasn't been activated, that's why I want to install the new hardware after moving data to the new HD and then doing a clean install of 7.

 

[TVeblen]

Then you got a plan. You got a tutorial. You are good to go!

If you do not already have a program to wipe the hard drive I might suggest doing it with the Install CD using Diskpart:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/52129-disk-clean-clean-all-diskpart-command.html