Replacing XP with Windows 7 using new hard drive.

[Stumann]

I have a custom built desktop running XP-Pro 32 bit. I would like to replace my hard drive and load Window 7 Home Premium 32 bit on it. If I decide I don't like the way thing are working, can I just put my old hard drive back in and expect it to work like nothing happened, or will Windows 7 change something on the motherboard that will cause an issue?

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Sure, you could just stash the XP hard drive in the closet.

Or you could make an image of it and then re-use the drive.

 

[AddRAM]

Windows 7 does not change anything on the motherboard.

Your old drive will work just fine.

Believe me, you won`t go back to XP

 

[gregrocker]

The same tips here for Clean Reinstall Windows 7 will assure you get and keep a perfect install.

 

[Stumann]

I'd glad to hear it will work. I'm having some difficulty, however. I got another hard drive, unformatted. I formatted it with XP (the long format). I tried to load Win7 and I got the message "Setup was unable to create a new system partition...". I went back into XP and made sure it was Basic, not Dynamic. I created a single partition of the entire drive, still the same message. Any ideas what I'm doing wrong? Does it need to be formatted on Win7?

 

[gregrocker]

Possibly, the XP formatting is a bit different. Try deleting all partitions during Steps 7/8 of Clean Install Windows 7 which are the illustrated steps for actual install operation.

This is all discussed including possible partition schemes that work best in Clean Reinstall Windows 7. By studying that tutorial first, you'll be up to speed on what we've learned works best in six years here during which this became the top tech forums in history.

If you have further problem you can Troubleshoot Windows 7 Installation Failures - Windows 7 Help Forums.

You don't have a UEFI BIOS, correct?

 

[Stumann]

Only BIOS.
Yes, I will study the Clean Install instructions and let you how that goes. Thank you one and all for your help.

 

[AddRAM]

You should have gotten a window asking you to initialize the new drive, it`s probably setup as GPT and needs to converted to MBR.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/26203-convert-gpt-disk-mbr-disk.html

There was no reason to use the XP disc on it at all.

 

[gregrocker]

If no UEFI then you don't need GPT formatting, only MBR.

Deleting all partitions during the booted Clean Install Windows 7 with only the target drive plugged in should suffice.

If not Troubleshoot Windows 7 Installation Failures - Windows 7 Help Forums.

 

[Stumann]

I'm getting closer!!! I had to go into BIOS and change SATA controller from IDE to ACHI. Windows 7 is now loaded on my new hard drive. I had to change SATA controller back to IDE to get XP to load, but now Win 7 loads while it's still set to IDE, so all is well. Now, how do I hook up both hard drives so I don't have to keep unplugging one and plugging in the other? I'm scared to plug them both in at the same time, ("crossing the streams").

 

[gregrocker]

After install, plug in both HD's.

Reboot into BIOS setup, set the Win7 hard drive first to boot in BIOS Boot Priority settings. It will show you how to move selected drive up or down on the right hand legend.

Save Changes (usually F10 key) and Exit BIOS setup. Reboot into Win7. How is it booting?

Now reboot and test trigger the XP hard drive to boot using one-time BIOS Boot menu key.

If you don't like this arrangement, then install EasyBCD (click Download - no Name or Email required) to Win7 to add XP on the Add OS tab. Allow it to autodetect drive letter, or supply the one listed for XP in Win7. Save changes.