Vista to w7 upgrade with new HDD, but old settings

[RadioHans]

My wife's Vista Business PC is freezing all the time; might be the HDD. So now I want to replace the HDD and also migrate the whole data and settings to W7. Any ideas what is the most efficient way to go about it? I do not trust the old HDD to upgrade on that one first; might loose all data.

 

[ie9]

I'm thinking a backup is step one.

Then installing Vista and the backup on the new HDD is step two.

Then the upgrade is step three.

Wait for more advice first as I haven't done this

 

[theog]

For transfering
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/11470-windows-easy-transfer-transfer-computers.html?ltr=W

For Upgrading
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/31402-clean-install-upgrade-windows-7-version.html?ltr=C

Check the hard drive with the manufacturer's diagnostic tools.
Hard Drive Diagnostics Tools and Utilities (Storage) - TACKtech Corp.
HD Diagnostic

 

[gregrocker]

Start by checking the HD using theog's links to burn the maker's diag/repair CD then run extended test. Follow up with http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/433-disk-check.html

Next I'd test your RAM with memtest86 CD: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/105647-ram-test-memtest86.html

There is no reason to reinstall Vista to new or wiped HD first to use Win7 Upgrade version, just leave the key blank during install and do the registry workaround after install given here: Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version. Then activate at Computer>Properties link.

Other tips to getting a purrfect clean install with Win7 based on hundreds done here: http://www.sevenforums.com/installation-setup/125874-re-install-windows-7-a.html#post1086729