Posted on 09/20/2012 2:50:04 PM PDT by Hazelwood Redneck Brain Trust
Back up what you need then install win 7, formatting over your current installation.
Every time I’ve dual loaded OS’s at some point one OS get’s trashed. I’d go with a clean install.
“Every time I’ve dual loaded OS’s at some point one OS get’s trashed. I’d go with a clean install.”
ditto.
Back up what you have on there and do a clean install. Laptop will run so much better.
tech ping pls
Generally yes, backup (burn to CD/DVD, usb drive, NOT the same Harddrive) what you want to save then reformat/install W7 over XP
Caveat - not all your programs may run in windows 7, you might need new versions/patches. check your docs/ related websites for info
If you had the skills to configure a laptop with a partitioned drive and install multiple operating systems, you would have known how to answer all the questions on the upgrade.
1) Back up your hard drive (I use Acronis, but there are plenty of good utilities) to an outside source like a usb drive.
2) Upgrade the OS.
You’re better off keeping XP. There’s nothing Windows 7 can do that XP can’t. With XP you can play all your games without having to download compatability software and jump through hoops just to play. I’d give anything NOT to have 7.
You could try something like Acronis® Disk Director, which will let you boot multiple OS’s.
Bingo! We have a winner.
Download Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor ,it will tell if you can run win 7
If you really want to think “out of the box”:
1) Remove your current hard drive and replace it with a new/blank drive.
2) Install win-7 as a clean install.
3) Put your old drive (that still has your data) in a case and make a usb-drive out of it. Example case you could use:
You can now plug your old-drive into your computer’s usb port and copy over any data you need, as you need it.
When you get all your data copied over, you can wipe the usb drive and use it for storage, or to hold backups of your laptop (because you do perform occasional backups—right?)
You could download Ubuntu Linux to a USB flashdrive and check it out.
I went through all the trouble to setup dual boot. And then I’ve booted into XP like 3 times in the 2 years since. If you get the Ultimate version of 7 it has the ability to run a virtual XP system, so if you find something you really really need XP for (which you probably won’t) you can use that.
I am a simple computer user, just trying to muck my way through this w/out too much self-imposed trouble.
I heard/read somewhere (probably FR in regards to Windows and Linux on the same machine) that partitioning/dual OS is possible...
I was wondering if it was a good idea...
and if its a good idea - how do I go about it?
Personally, I like XP (its running on the laptop now & on my desktop machine) - but I am worried about support for one, and my wife needs Windows Office 2010 on the laptop for her schoolwork. I figured if I am gonna install WinOffice 2010 I might as well upgrade to Win7 as well...
Is this a bad idea?
Be sure you know what you’re getting in Win7. I bought a new Dell desktop with Win7 this past year and wish I could go back to XP. I hate LIBRARIES with a passion!! Give me “My Favorites” all in one single place.....
Nothing personal, but huh?
The original poster was having trouble figuring out how to upgrade from XP to 7, and you're suggesting the go to Linux?
That's like telling someone that's having trouble with their pickup truck that they need to get a fighter jet.
I’m perfectly happy with XP, but don’t have any issues with Win 7 either. The problem is, within the next couple years Microsoft is not going to support XP any longer, so if some kink of vulnerability is discovered, you’re liable to be hacked.
I'd re-partition it to reclaim any hidden "restore" partitions from the old operating system - most notebooks have these.
Forget about a dual boot. It's just not worth the trouble. You can always run a virtual XP (or what ever your old OS was).
I was so happy to see a computer question, and wonder if there was enough interest out there that we could have a computer forum. I thought there was one, but I just looked under forums on front page and didn’t see it listed.
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