Newbe Install Steps Review

[ckmerc]

Please let me know if I have missed something regarding the clean install of my W7 upgrade version by way of the steps below (Vista Home Premuim to W7 HP)

1. Back up all my data to my external HD & Disk. (Done)

2. Review and document all programs currently on the PC for re-install
(Done)

3. Run Windows 7 upgrade advisor (though I have a relatively fast system)
(pending)

4. Deauthorize my Itunes stuff on this computer.


5. Run Windows Easy Transfer (use the version on my W7 DVD )

• transfering all data files and setup stuff to my External HD as well

6. Disconnect all USB Cables from my computer add ons (printer, card
reader)

? do I need to disconnect my SATA cable from my External HD as well?

7. Install W7 disk in the DVD drive and shut down computer...follow the various Clean install/upgrade tutorial from this site to install W7.

8. Reinstall my settings and data from my external HD using W7 Windows
Easy Transfer

9. Reinstall my programs...

 

[ignatzatsonic]

I think you have a pretty good handle on it. I didn't do step 4 because I don't use I-Tunes. I didn't do steps 5 or 8 because I had done step 1 and then manually restored my data. If any of your programs are downloads (rather than on DVD or CD), you should plan on revisiting their web sites and getting the most recent download that is compatible with Windows 7. Immediately after the install finishes, make sure you have all critical and important Windows updates installed and then do your antivirus and antispyware programs. Consider your partitioning scheme before you start--if you don't want to make any changes in it, then just dive in.

I left my USB printer plugged in and off and had no issues, but yes, it can't hurt to disconnect all of your external stuff. I can't see any reason to leave the external drive plugged in.

A lot of people make an image of the new Windows 7 install immediately after the installation finishes. Some would advise you to make a final image of Vista before beginning the Windows 7 install.

 

[ckmerc]

"I can't see any reason to leave the external drive plugged in."
-Will W7 recognize my external HD then? I won't need to reformat the external HD correct?

 

[richc46]

You seem to have everything covered. I was like you when I installed just 3 weeks ago. I think that you will be very pleased by how easy everything goes. What I did for insurance, I went to you tube and watched an actual installation. Makes it so much easier when you know exactly what to expect.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

If I understand you correctly, your external drive has your backups on it. If that is true, re-formatting it would be a disaster. Leave it alone. I have no experience with external drives, but I certainly assume Windows 7 would acknowledge it whenever you plug it back in. Just be sure you have in fact backed up your files to it. Personally, I would unplug it before beginning the install process. That way, you can't mistakenly re-format it during the Windows 7 install.

 

[ckmerc]

great...I will unhook my Sata cable from my hard drive before install as well as all of my other USB devices

Forgot to ask..will my wireless keyboard and mouse still work after I install w7? if not how do I install new drivers if my keyboard and mouse does not respond? Thanks

 

[richc46]

they should work. W7 is really good in that area.

 

[gregrocker]

Final step when you have your new Windows 7 as you like it:

type "backup" into Start box and Create a Backup Image to store externally so that you will never again have to install Win7 - just boot from your Win7 disk Repair console and Recover using an Image to reimage your HDD (or a replacement) in 15 minutes flawlessly.

While you are at it, set up a scheduled backup to your plugged external drive (or secondary internal drive) of selected files and image update on a weekly or monthly basis when your computer is idle.

 

[ckmerc]

so you are talking about creating a boot disk right?

 

[richc46]

Final step when you have your new Windows 7 as you like it:

type "backup" into Start box and Create a Backup Image to store externally so that you will never again have to install Win7 - just boot from your Win7 disk Repair console and Recover using an Image to reimage your HDD (or a replacement) in 15 minutes flawlessly.

While you are at it, set up a scheduled backup to your plugged external drive (or secondary internal drive) of selected files and image update on a weekly or monthly basis when your computer is idle.

A boot disc is part of it. What gregrocker is referring to is making a complete copy of your hard drive (OS). You go to start menu type back up. If you decide to put it on an external drive, you will have a complete copy of your HD as it is now. In the future, you lose your HD or you hose the system and you don't know how to fix it, you just restore the image that you made. What I do, is save my image and when I make any changes, add a program or alter a setting I make a note of it. Then if something happens before I make a new image, I can use the image that I have, to restore my OS and then read my notes and make the additional changes.
Whatever you decide, enjoy

 

[Dave76]

Please let me know if I have missed something regarding the clean install of my W7 upgrade version by way of the steps below (Vista Home Premuim to W7 HP)

1. Back up all my data to my external HD & Disk. (Done)

2. Review and document all programs currently on the PC for re-install
(Done)

3. Run Windows 7 upgrade advisor (though I have a relatively fast system)
(pending)

4. Deauthorize my Itunes stuff on this computer.


5. Run Windows Easy Transfer (use the version on my W7 DVD )

• transfering all data files and setup stuff to my External HD as well

6. Disconnect all USB Cables from my computer add ons (printer, card
reader)

? do I need to disconnect my SATA cable from my External HD as well?

7. Install W7 disk in the DVD drive and shut down computer...follow the various Clean install/upgrade tutorial from this site to install W7.

8. Reinstall my settings and data from my external HD using W7 Windows
Easy Transfer

9. Reinstall my programs...

You will need to re-install your programs before you run Win7, Windows Easy Transfer.
It will transfer you user settings for these programs if they are installed.

Back up your browser bookmarks, I think WET only does it for IE (so I've been told, I don't use it), and not for any others.

Be sure to disconnect your external HD.

 

[Nosmo]

ckmerc,
Don't think you have missed anything.

The only area that is slightly gray is whether or not to have any second ( data, internal or external) hard drives attached when setup is running.

I have seen logical reasons for both points of view. Sometimes Win 7 will attempt and succeed in putting boot files on the second hard drive. Certainly don't want that. This will definitely happen if you adjust 'setup' to avoid having the 100mg hidden partition.

On the other hand, we have some situations where the data drive is mounted after the installation,and there are problems with access ( permissions, read only etc).

Worth thinking about.

 

[ckmerc]

What I planned on doing is disconnecting my external Hard drive (sata cable)when I install W7. Then I would reconnect it after W7 is installed.

Are you saying that W7 may not recognize my external HD that was formatted and used when running Vista?

 

[ignatzatsonic]

No, he is not saying Windows 7 won't recognize your external drive after it is plugged back in. If it is strictly a data drive, I see no reason to leave it connected.

Dave makes a good point. If you are NOT using Internet Explorer, you probably ought to back up your bookmarks independently of Windows Easy Transfer.

I don't use Windows Easy Transfer at all. I always do clean installs.

I back up 3 things manually: bookmarks, email and address book, and ALL personal data.I know where all of that stuff lives. When the install is done, I import my bookmarks, email, and address book and I drag and drop my personal data back to the appropriate location. Personally, I would be antsy about relying on Windows Easy Transfer, but that's just me.

 

[gregrocker]

so you are talking about creating a boot disk right?

No the image recovery option is on the installer's Repair console, which is also available at F8 during bootup if you have the 100mb Win7 boot/repair partition installed. It will also offer to make you a bootable repair CD with these options on it when you make your first backup image.

I not only store my backup image externally but make a primary partition where I keep a copy for easy detection by the reimaging utility on the installer/repair disk. But it needs external backup in case of HDD failure since it will also reimage to a new HDD.

Creating and periodically updating a backup image replaces reinstalls now that Win7 has brought backup imaging to the masses.

 

[ckmerc]

Why would you not want to use Windows Easy Transfer after a clean install to re-install the data and settings I currently have on my PC ?(internet and sharing settings as i have two other computers that I share files with this main computer.)

Does Windows Easy Transfer cause problems?

 

[gregrocker]

Why would you not want to use Windows Easy Transfer after a clean install to re-install the data and settings I currently have on my PC ?(internet and sharing settings as i have two other computers that I share files with this main computer.)

Does Windows Easy Transfer cause problems?

IMHO I don't want any settings imported because this can defeat the purpose of the superior clean install.

I keep my external plugged in and have Win7 backup my selected files and HDD image when machine is idle. I can recover from any problem by reimaging the HDD (or a replacement) in 15 minutes, and the files are there if I ever need to do a reinstall which I never will.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Ckmerc:

I fiddled with Windows Easy Transfer a few months ago when I was experimenting with the Windows 7 release candidate.

Yeah, I had problems with it.

I don't need it and don't need to rely on it. I don't want to possibly inject unneeded issues into my installation process. I don't want to rely on it. I don't care about "settings". I reinstall all applications from the ground up anyway. I have all of my passwords and logins stashed in Word documents. Cookies take care of themselves. I know where all of my data is and can just copy it as needed through drag and drop.

I also use an external program to backup my data as needed with a single click. One click backs up data, another click backs up bookmarks, and another click backs up email and addresses. All of these backups land on a second hard drive. That's all I care about.

More power to anyone relying on Windows Easy Transfer and to each his own.