Solved Win 7 installation plan for rebuilt computer - please review/advise.

[mneal]

Current machine is 5 years old, running Win7 Ultimate 32 bit. Doing a hardware refresh after a lightning strike fried some components. (note: system specs is for the replacement equipment)

Downloaded 64 bit Win7 Ultimate +SP1 and made UEFI compatible USB sticks of that as well as 64bit Win7 HP upgrade media.

Plan:
Hook up new SSD to existing computer, run Samsung Magician software to update SSD firmware and check over-provision percentage.

Deactivate the old Win7 Ultimate 32 bit install.

Install new hardware.

Install Win7 via UEFI using Kari's "Old School Geek" tutorial - see question, below.

Install and partition 2TB platter drive, create logical drives for User Profiles (100Gb), Audio, Video, Games, Downloads (250Gb each) and Backups (500Gb). Alternately, make logical drives for Profiles (100Gb) and Data (1.5Tb), then folders for the data types.

Move user profiles to platter drive, link libraries to appropriate logical drives/folders on platter HD.

Run updates, backup "clean" config.

Create user and activate installation.

Questions:
Original W7 Ultimate is 32 bit without SP1 - will I be able to use my license key to install 64 bit *with* SP1? If not, I will attempt to install 64 bit Home Premium upgrade per the "install with upgrade media" tutorial. (N.B.: I don't recall if the 32bit media was OEM or retail)

Does it behoove me to make logical drives for all the data types, or just make logicals for Profiles and Data, then make folders for Audio/Video/Games/Downloads/Backups within the Data logical drive?

Anything in my plan that's a 'deal breaker' (other than the possibility of key mismatches and/or OEM version key for 7 Ultimate)?

Further recommendations?

Thanks for reading!

 

[gregrocker]

Yes you can use the same key to install 32- or 64-bit, pre- or post-SP1. It does matter if the license is OEM which lives and dies with the first mobo installed upon. Deactivate the old install by deleting its partition.

Use the latest official installer with SP1 in Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7, which tips will also assure you get and keep a perfect install, even for retail.

If you move User profile to HD it will force you to include it in Win7 backup image as a System drive. An alternative is copy the User folders to HD and link to the related Library - Include a Folder - Windows 7 Forums setting the data partition folder to be the default download location.

Install programs to the SSD, along with page file and hibernate file. Use Primary partitions for OS drive, Logicals for data drives.

 

[mneal]

Thanks, Greg, I appreciate the response.

What are the advantages of linking user profiles vs moving them, in regards to profile corruption and restoring from same?

 

[gregrocker]

There can be issues with moving User profile and folders when using certain imaging programs. Those are System Files. If you can afford to keep them on C I'd use Libraries to link the data from folders on HD starting with the largest one to test how it works.

If you decide you don't like Libraries as the solution then move the User folders you use one at a time to see how that works. User Folders - Change Default Location

I've not moved User profile so someone else will need to opine on that.

 

[mneal]

Checked the Win7 Ultimate disk today - packaging says OEM, but it's in a DVD case and has a manual and the part number doesn't include OEM, so I'm hoping for the best.

I've gotten the drivers for the video card, motherboard and the latest bios from the manufacturer's website, so I think I'm pretty well set in that regard.

 

[mneal]

Install of new equipment went fine.

UEFI install of Win 7 Ultimate 64 bit successful, didn't have to jump any hoops to activate.

However, something didn't go *quite* as planned. After completing the install, setting up the main account and installing some final programs and games, I found that the unattend script to move the user profiles didn't work.

*sigh*

I may just wipe the C: and start over...

 

[gregrocker]

May I ask why you move the User profile when it can cause problems?

If you have so little space on an SSD your OS, Programs and User folders won't fit then I'd move the User folders off as needed. User Folders - Change Default Location

The AppData interacts with the OS so can benefit from remaining on the SSD unless it is too tiny.

 

[mneal]

May I ask why you move the User profile when it can cause problems?

I work in communications, supporting the military. I've seen many more machines have to be re-imaged due to corrupted user profiles than through general operating system corruption.

I also wanted the heavy write folders off the SSD to increase longevity.

 

[gregrocker]

Thanks, Mike. Duly noted. We are only wary because after helping move User Profile or even Folders some will come back wondering why their 1tb data drive is now being force-included in Backup Image as a System drive. The solution for this is to link a Documents, Downloads, Pictures, etc folder from data drive using Libraries, setting the data drive folder as default download location. But its clear you have other priorities considerably beyond this.

Anything else we can help with?

 

[mneal]

Was able to re-install and get the folders move, everything looks to be working well.. .I think we can call this one 'solved'.

Thanks