Question

Install Windows 7 on Vista laptop - upgrade or clean install

Asked by: LSMConsulting

I've got a Toshiba P205 laptop running Windows Vista Ultimate (no SPs). I've run the Windows 7 upgrade advisor and the only hardware issue is a card reader (got the driver for that already). The software issue is that I must install SP1 or 2 before I can upgrade, but when I try to do that the install always fails (matter of fact, Windows update has given trouble for quite a while). I've tried fixing the update issue for several weeks, off and on when i had time, but nothing that I found on the 'net seems to work.

My question is should I keep trying to update my Vista install and then upgrade, or should I do a clean install of Windows 7? I'm inclined to do a clean install, since there's really nothing on the laptop I care about losing, but if I do what's the best methods to use when doing this? Would I format the disc and go from there? If so, any tutorials or step-by-step instructions would be most appreciated.

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Asked On
2009-10-17 at 06:09:40ID24820355
Tags

windows 7

,

vista

,

laptop

Topics

IT Administration

,

Windows 7

,

PC Laptops

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Answers

 

by: LeeTutorPosted on 2009-10-17 at 06:18:00ID: 25595861

This page has a very good article on your various options:

http://www.winsupersite.com/win7/win7_upgrade_03.asp
Upgrading from Windows Vista to Windows 7

 

by: feridunPosted on 2009-10-17 at 07:20:08ID: 25596008

Given the problems you've had and that there is no data you need to keep I would do a clean install.

During the Windows 7 installation select new install rather than upgrade and on the disk partition page you will have options to delete partitions. Delete the partition and then recreate it - this will have the effect of formatting the disk.

You may install Windows 7 from DVD or if you can configure your laptop to boot off USB, Windows 7 will install from a USB stick (I think you'll need at least 3-4Gbytes for the USB stick to copy the Windows 7 files).

 

by: biggy_bPosted on 2009-10-17 at 17:43:40ID: 25598193

Heres is a Vista to Windows 7 Upgrade --> http://www.intowindows.com/how-to-do-vista-to-windows-7-upgrade/

If you to a clean install of Windows 7 --> http://gizmodo.com/5257386/how-to-install-windows-7-on-almost-any-netbook

I agree with feridun, its always better to start with a clean install. But I've done the upgrade allready on a couple of machines and didn't have any issues. EIther route should be fine.

Cheers,

 

by: snazyPosted on 2009-10-18 at 15:47:12ID: 25601753

Do not format the disk prior to installing.
Just set the BIOS settings to boot from CD/DVD first, then insert your Windows 7 disk and restart the computer. When it asks you on which partition to install, select your C:drive(if this is where windows vista was installed). It will install Windows 7 on the C: partition and the old Windows folder will be renamed to Windows.old. Once installed and if you dont need any files from windows.old, you can delete it. It takes 20 minutes and if you have other partitions, the data will be intact.
You can also use Disk Management to create another partition in Windows Vista and move your data onto it. Here is a link explaining how to.
http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/resize-a-partition-for-free-in-windows-vista/

 

by: LSMConsultingPosted on 2009-10-19 at 03:25:50ID: 25603918

Hi all:

Thanks very much for taking the time to post, I really do appreciate it.

I ended up doing a clean install, following the instructions at the links provided, and it seems to be working well so far (except for my touchpad, but I'm looking into that, I'm sure it's a driver issue). Toshiba didn't directly indicate that my laptop was supported, but I searched the 'net and found a lot of people with the laptop who had upgraded with no issues.

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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