Windows XP Upgrade Question

[vulcanis]

So I've decided to go the upgrade route and I had a question.

I have two hard drives, one with the main install of XP and the other as just free space.

I have files that I want to keep so I'm going to move them to the other hard drive.

If I do an upgrade to windows 7 on the hard drove that has windows xp on it, will the data on the other hard drive be safe? i.e. I've heard that when you do an upgrade from xp, it wipes out your hard drive, im assuming it only wipes out the hard drive with the actual xp install on it? Or does it erase ALL data on your computer?

 

[ignatzatsonic]

No, it doesn't wipe out all the data on your computer. You will get to choose which drive to put Windows 7 on. You have to be sure you choose the correct drive.

If you are concerned about it, you can just disconnect the drive with the free space that does not have XP. Put everything you want to save on that drive before you disconnect it.

 

[vulcanis]

No, it doesn't wipe out all the data on your computer. You will get to choose which drive to put Windows 7 on. You have to be sure you choose the correct drive.

If you are concerned about it, you can just disconnect the drive with the free space that does not have XP. Put everything you want to save on that drive before you disconnect it.

Thanks. When I first started to think I was doing it too hard "well maybe I should dual boot and... wait, moron, just put your stuff on the free hard drive and upgrade" the easiest answer is usually the best one.

Also, windows 7 will be able to access the files on the other hard drive, it will basically treat it as an external?

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Yes. After you install Windows 7 on the drive with XP, you will be able to easily access the other drive as if it were an external drive.

In fact, you will be able to interact with that other drive much more quickly because it is internal (I am guessing it is internal).

The only thing you have to worry about is choosing the correct drive when you are asked where to put Windows 7. To simplify things and to avoid the possibility of making an error, I'd just disconnect the second drive and reconnect it after you have Windows 7 up and running OK.

Yeah, don't bother with a dual boot unless you know that's what you want to do in the long term.

 

[vulcanis]

Yeah, don't bother with a dual boot unless you know that's what you want to do in the long term.

Yeah, especially considering the fact that an upgrade is a one shot deal. I'd rather put Windows 7 on the main 500gb hard drive anyway. I've been holding off for a really long time, had seen Vista on a few computers and frankly wasn't that impressed.

I've been hearing a lot of good things about 7, I'm hoping it does not disappoint.

 

[philcourth]

Hi I am runing XP pro 32 bit , can I upgrade to W 7 64 bit?

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Philcourth:

Assuming your hardware will support 64 bit, you can install Windows 7 64 bit.

You will have to do a "clean install", not an upgrade.

 

[philcourth]

ok thanks m8