Windows 7 Questions.

[LiquidNeo]

Hello everyone I just had a few questions about Windows 7.

First I just wanted to say I currently am running Vista Ultimate X64 an love it. I have no issues with it. It did take me a long time when I first installed it to get for example programs like Virtual Dub to recognize x64 codec drivers. Not the OS's fault, as usual Vdub was a little behind on certain x64 drivers mainly the lame mp3 and mpeg codec.
So I am hoping Windows 7 can also work with those x64 drivers I found. An looking at Windows 7 at a friends house it almost seems like Vista but a much more improved version of it. A bigger more powerful animal within it's own right I guess lol.

I was just curious though. I hear it's always best to do a clean format, partition an install a new OS. I usually go this route but I have so much on my system it would be like killing a baby to me an starting all over again lol. An wanted to know how just upgrading over top of Vista would go? An what anyone recommends clean format install or upgrading is ok?

I am just worried if I do the upgrade route I won't get the full performance of a quicker boot, I don't want Vista to hold it back at all.

Also how big is the Windows 7 Ultimate Full DVD?

I assume 10-15GB like Vista for a full install on my HD right?

And last thing I wanted to know is it always seems like the install of an OS is much bigger then what's on the DVD. Is this some how compressed down on to DVD then uncompressed when installed?

Anyway just curious how that works.

Thanks in advance to anyone who can help! Really appreciate it!

 

[Uber Philf]

OK.

1. Welcome to the forums, check my sig and introduce yourself properly.

2. I do not advise, under any circumstances to do an upgrade install.

3. W7 Ultimate DVD is roughly 3.2GB for x64 (64bit) and 2.5GB for x86 (32bit)

4. HDD space is 16GB for x86 (32bit) and 20GB for x64 (64bit).

5. Yes, it's compressed, copied over, then uncompressed. ( I think :S )

 

[ignatzatsonic]

If you insist on an upgrade rather than a clean install, you probably have a better chance of getting away with it long term than you would have with earlier versions of Windows. But you aren't going to find many people here who would tell you to do it, regardless.

A bare minimum, no updates, install of Home Premium is under 10 GB, but will go beyond that quickly.

My C Windows directory is 9 GB and my C drive is using 22 GB. I allocated 60 GB to the C partition.

 

[LiquidNeo]

Thanks a lot guys for the quick replies! Very helpful. I think I will just do a clean install. Thanks again, sorry for not introducing myself. I'll check your sig!

 

[gregrocker]

You could always do an Upgrade on one HD, then do a Custom clean install on a separate HD. Extricating one later is much easier that way.

Doing this you could compare the two, keep a working project on the second drive moving your programs, etc. over at your own pace while still working on the first drive and really testing how an Upgrade works for you.

I have a friend who is an artist who I put RC in dual boot with XP last year. We had to keep the XP because his older slide scanner and something else couldn't yet run in Win7.

At first he kept largely to the XP, moving files back and forth between the two and trying programs on each other.

Gradually he migrated to Win7 and when it finally delivered a driver for his old Acer slide scanner he abandoned XP.

I get to go to Oklahoma City in May to take XP off and upgrade RC using his pre-ordered Upgrade. Yeehaw

 

[LiquidNeo]

Hm.. thanks for that idea Greg! I actually remember doing this awhile ago an booting into two different drives for test purposes having different OS's on them. An that would be a nice way to compare upgrading vs clean install on the second drive.

I might give that a shot. Still debating on what I might do lol! I am in no hurry at the moment so I'll decide on something. But I really do like that idea. Eventually would make things more simple for me to manage an remember all my apps I have installed.

Thanks man!