installing 7 then vista

[bigboi972]

wanted to know is it possible to install windows 7 on my machine then later use the vista system image thats on a seperate data partition to go back to vista

 

[gregrocker]

Yes. You can also Dual Boot Win7 with Vista to migrate your programs and files over, then we can help you remove Vista when the time comes.

Do you have a Vista Recov partition or just the Vista System Image?

 

[bigboi972]

the vista recovery partition i thought it was the same as the system image my laptops broken so im useing my moms computer can i install my copy of windows 7 on her computer its not currently being used on any other pc but it has been used on my laptop in the past. i remember talking to you about that

 

[eldinv]

System image and a recovery partition are two different.
Where is the image located, on an external drive?

You want to install Windows 7 on her computer? What kind of DVD do you have for Windows 7?

 

[bigboi972]

its on a factory image here is a photo of where its located i do plan on installing windows 7 on my moms pc I want to know if i install windows 7 on my mothers machine can i use the factory image in the picture below to go back to vista at a later time.
Yfrog Image : yfrog.com/miprintqljhttp://yfrog.com/miprintqlj

 

[gregrocker]

If it's a retail copy of Win7 and not (factory or builder's) OEM then you can migrate it to wherever you want.

Have you made the Factory Recovery disks yet for the laptop? Look in All Programs to find the REcovery Manager and make the Recovery disks so you have a path back.

If the Recovery partition is still there it can also possibly be run from boot but I would not rely on it alone since it can be disabled by Win7 install. What is the make and model of the computer?

You can also store an image externally using free Macrium Reflect so that Vista can later be restored exactly as it is now, since the Recovery disks and partition take it all the way back to factory condition. http://download.cnet.com/Macrium-Re...45728.html?part=dl-6288502&subj=dl&tag=button

Consider the possibility of dual booting Vista and Win7. You can even hide Vista so its just like you only have Win7 on there, but Vista can be restored quicker that way. http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/5166-dual-boot-installation-windows-7-vista.html

 

[bigboi972]

what do you mean factory or builders

 

[gregrocker]

Factory OEM is Win7 that was installed in the factory, while builder's OEM is used by system builders who build their own computer but can only be used on the one computer.

I added choices to my above post if you still qualify to migrate Win7.

 

[bigboi972]

as far as factory recovery dvds i cant make any for this machine im useing now which is also the machine im trying to install windows 7 on because she has already made theam before but she lost theam

 

[LiquidSnak]

Pull her hard drive out and load 7 onto a second one. Then when you need to change it back just swap the hard drives.

 

[gregrocker]

Did Win7 come with your computer, or did you buy it separately?

Do you have a second HD?

 

[Tepid]

The way it sounds is that, no, you can not install that (OEM) version of 7 that you have from your old system on another system. Well you can for the 30 day trial only, IF it will let you do that, but you can not activate it. Some times they make those install disks check the BIOS to make sure the Model PC it is being installed on is the correct one. But not all the OEM's do that.

To clarify,,, OEM = (Dell, HP, Sony, Toshiba, etc)
System Builder OEM = Joe Shop Owner, Friend who purchased System Builder OS from New Egg, or other of same nature.

The above 2 are locked to the first PC they are activated on and can not be transferred to another system.

Retail = You bought it at Best Buy. This can be transferred to as many systems as you like as long as it is installed and activated on only 1 at a time.

then later use the vista system image thats on a seperate data partition to go back to vista

The answer is maybe. If you mess something up during the install of 7. Then it is possible you will wipe out or possibly cause changes that could affect the ability to use the restore partition on that drive.

IF you are careful, then yes, you should be able to install Windows 7 on the drive as a dual boot OS and later reinstall Vista back to Factory Default using the image from the Restore partition.

IF you are using a System Image created later from within Windows, then you will more than likely blow away the Factory Restore partition.

But there is more to it than just slapping the OS Install disk in and clicking install.
You need to make sure you have enough room on the drive to create another partition to install the second OS. If not, you will need to make the room using a Partition Resizer software.

 

[bigboi972]

i have windows 7 on a retail disk

 

[bigboi972]

Did Win7 come with your computer, or did you buy it separately?

Do you have a second HD?

i bought windows 7 and i dont have a second hd i just found the vista recovery cds you spoke of earlier

 

[bigboi972]

The way it sounds is that, no, you can not install that (OEM) version of 7 that you have from your old system on another system. Well you can for the 30 day trial only, IF it will let you do that, but you can not activate it. Some times they make those install disks check the BIOS to make sure the Model PC it is being installed on is the correct one. But not all the OEM's do that.

To clarify,,, OEM = (Dell, HP, Sony, Toshiba, etc)
System Builder OEM = Joe Shop Owner, Friend who purchased System Builder OS from New Egg, or other of same nature.

The above 2 are locked to the first PC they are activated on and can not be transferred to another system.

Retail = You bought it at Best Buy. This can be transferred to as many systems as you like as long as it is installed and activated on only 1 at a time.

then later use the vista system image thats on a seperate data partition to go back to vista

The answer is maybe. If you mess something up during the install of 7. Then it is possible you will wipe out or possibly cause changes that could affect the ability to use the restore partition on that drive.

IF you are careful, then yes, you should be able to install Windows 7 on the drive as a dual boot OS and later reinstall Vista back to Factory Default using the image from the Restore partition.

IF you are using a System Image created later from within Windows, then you will more than likely blow away the Factory Restore partition.

But there is more to it than just slapping the OS Install disk in and clicking install.
You need to make sure you have enough room on the drive to create another partition to install the second OS. If not, you will need to make the room using a Partition Resizer software.

What if i use my retail windows 7 cd to install windows 7 on this machine would i be able to use the factory vista recovery cds i created when i was prompted to do so after i first bought this machine to go back to vista

 

[gregrocker]

Yes, is this the same machine you said earlier had the Recovery disks lost? Did you find them?

I guess the point is that you want a reliable Vista backup: Dual Booting leaving Vista still on the HD, save the Recovery partition, have Recov disks which are known to work (try booting them), or a Macrium system image you back up externally which would save everything in place as it is now.

I would have one or two of those methods to be sure.

Of course, you can always reinstall Vista by finding any retail Vista installer, unlock all versions to reinstall the licensed version - if it came to that - Or order Recovery disks from the manufacturer which normally just costs shipping.

Be sure to back up your Mom's files. Have you considered doing an in-place Upgrade?

 

[bigboi972]

ok thanks all of you for your responses i love this forum my questions always get answered thanks a ton hopefully this will go well if not ehh im screwed lol

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Vista is already "unlocked" any version can be installed from any full installer DVD as long as it's the same bit-rate.