Windows 7 installation formats my other hard drives

[kieran82]

I have windows vista ultimate 64bit and have 3 sata hard drives and very important information on 2 hard drives and vista on the other one drive letter as c:/. When installing windows 7 will it format all hard drives or is it the same installation as vista and only formats the drive I select as C:/?

 

[Dwarf]

When installing an OS, the setup routine will only format the drive or partition that you select.

 

[Snufffed]

?Windows 7 will not format your HDD unless you ask or tell it to.

 

[whs]

If those are really 3 hard drives (rather than 3 partitions), you can always unplug the other 2 drives (the physical cables or in the BIOS) to be 100% sure.

 

[Lee]

First let me say, "Welcome To The Seven Forums."
Second: all the ideas presented here are great, but if you are still unsure then you can brows the SF Tutorials. There is a great deal of information in the tutorials for those who are looking for help with Win 7.

Also, if would, please fill in your "System Specs." This would be of great value to those who can help you later down the line if you should have any further questions. Thanks. Lee

 

[DeaconFrost]

No point in even worrying about it, to be honest. Just unplug them, and then you'll be sure. For the record, no they wouldn't be formatted, unless you directed the installer to do so.

 

[MacGyvr]

It would be nice to change the title of this thread since the information it presents is not correct, even for the OP. As it is, it might scare people.

 

[gregrocker]

I just had this verified by MS MVP's on Technet: You can clean install upgrade to a primary formatted second hard drive just as though it is another partition. No other drives should be attached. Start the Upgrade from an activated XP/Vista/RC* drive and custom install to other drive, then remove the first drive and plug the second Win7 drive into it. If the bootloader is put on the first drive, run Startup repair.

*MS announced recently you can use the RC to launch Win7 upgrade for a clean install only. Be sure to image your final upgraded install since otherwise you will need to use XP or Vista to reinstall after RC expires in June.

 

[whs]

It would be nice to change the title of this thread since the information it presents is not correct, even for the OP. As it is, it might scare people.

Could you explain that please.

 

[DeaconFrost]

Could you explain that please.

The title would lead a reader to believe that the Windows 7 installer formatted all of his connected hard drives. Given how Microsoft suffered from misinformation spreading around, a title change wouldn't be a bad idea.

 

[polycue]

*MS announced recently you can use the RC to launch Win7 upgrade for a clean install only. Be sure to image your final upgraded install since otherwise you will need to use XP or Vista to reinstall after RC expires in June.

Could you please provide the link for the "MS announcement".

 

[whs]

Could you explain that please.

The title would lead a reader to believe that the Windows 7 installer formatted all of his connected hard drives. Given how Microsoft suffered from misinformation spreading around, a title change wouldn't be a bad idea.

OK, understand. It should be worded as a question rather than a statement. Maybe the mods can do that.

 

[Snufffed]

*MS announced recently you can use the RC to launch Win7 upgrade for a clean install only. Be sure to image your final upgraded install since otherwise you will need to use XP or Vista to reinstall after RC expires in June.

I need a link for that... because the term UPGRADE does not mean CLEAN INSTALL ONLY.>

In fact that statement does not agree with the MS info on UPGRADE Disc.

 

[gregrocker]

You are confused about the Upgrade disk vs. the options using that Upgrade disk, which are to do an "in place" Upgrade (VIsta only) or if you have XP it requires you to use Custom to clean install the WIndows 7 over the XP, to a second partition or drive. Both "Upgrade" and "Custom" (clean install) options are on the disk.

 

[gregrocker]

the term UPGRADE does not mean CLEAN INSTALL ONLY.>


In fact that statement does not agree with the MS info on UPGRADE Disc.

You are confusing the 1)Upgrade disk with the options that disk offers: to do an a)Upgrade of Vista that reinstalls your programs, files and settings to new WIn7, or to do a b)Custom clean install which overwrites XP/Vista in place, to a second partition or HDD.

 

[Snufffed]

the term UPGRADE does not mean CLEAN INSTALL ONLY.>


In fact that statement does not agree with the MS info on UPGRADE Disc.

You are confusing the 1)Upgrade disk with the options that disk offers: to do an "in place" a)Upgrade of Vista, or to do a b)Custom clean install which overwrites XP/Vista in place, to a second partition or HDD.

I do like "inplace" an "upgrade". terms.
1. Upgrade(inplace) means that Vista will be overwritten become Win7, therefore the old version of Vista is no longer. (2me)

2. XP can not be #1. upgraded or inplace installed. That requires a "Clean Install". where as you can install and XP will become windows.old or you can custom install and place on a different partition(HDD). which in turn will allow Dual-boot. (2me)
At times the way one states and we all try to insure the noob/questioner get clear options.
THERE IS A GENERATION GAP ON HOW PEOPLE SAY THE SAME THING ONLY DIFFERENTLY. so as to be very confusing.
some examples:
a TWIT 2me is a mentally challenged
a PIMP 2me is a manager for a prostitute
a Gangster 2me is a CROOK, bankrobber, thief, murder
a COKE 2me is a softdrink
a MaryJane 2me is a teenager in highschool
a Nerd 2me does not play sports.