Does Windows 7 merit a clean install

LeftIsTrembling · 07-30-2009, 10:27 PM

I am considering getting Windows 7 for my desktop that runs Vista x32. My desktop has Athlon 64 X2 dual core process, it is a AMD Athlon X2 4400+ I believe (don't remember the exact number).

I have two questions

1. Would an upgrade to Windows 7 x32 merit a clean install?
2. Would an upgrade to Windows 7 x64 merit a clean install?

Due to my busy semester this fall, a clean install would take way too much time and basically kill one of my weekends, not to mention a fact that I don't have an external harddrive to back up everything onto in the first place

**spike2me** · 07-30-2009, 10:35 PM

If you install 64bit you have to format before your install. The 32bit version will tell you to backup as doing an Update will possibly loose your information. You can backup to CD or DVD but the easiest way is with an external HDD.

usasma · 07-31-2009, 04:30 AM

All would merit a clean install. IMO the older an installation of Vista, the more likely it will be that you'd have problems with an "upgrade" - so a clean install is called for.

As spike2me states, you'll have to clean install to get the 64 bit version - but I still recommend a clean install for the 32 bit version also.

Check your system with the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor beta: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en

To see if your processor supports the features necessary for hardware DEP and hardware virtualization (needed for the XP VM), try this free tool: http://www.grc.com/securable.htm

**pat mcgroin** · 07-31-2009, 03:16 PM

One other thing to think about is that there are many online areas that you could use to store your info on while you do this.
Your school may also offer this.
As with a local external HDD triple check to be certain that you have everything that you want before you start in that storage area.
And above all else make a cd with your NEW drivers and anti virus before you start.

One other option that if I were a student would think a lot about would be to get a second HDD and install it and either dual boot or store things on. Im guessing that you will use this computer for school work, games,facebook,porn etc. I know I would.
Two HDDS and possibly dual boot would allow things to be kept seperate and safe.

Look around at your school and see if you can find where people trade or sell for beer money their misc. computer parts and you may be able to get one very cheap.

Good Luck and do something important. My kids depend on you.

LeftIsTrembling · 07-31-2009, 04:04 PM

I don't think an online storage method would work, as Berkeley has a 12GB per week bandwidth limit on all dorm connections. I think I might just end up borrowing my sister's or my dad's external harddrive whenever I do the clean install. Backing everything up onto my laptop (which I am currently using), might be what I end up doing if the harddrive stuff is unfeasable. My laptop isn't worth upgrading as I barely use it during the school year.

**jcgriff2** · 07-31-2009, 04:13 PM

Hi -

I would not advise going from x86 to x64 - unless you are very, very sure that you can find x64 device drivers for EVERY device. x64 device drivers MUST BE DIGITALLY SIGNED or they will not load.

Go with Windows 7 x86 first and make sure there are no problems. It should take about an hour or two to install Windows 7. I would do a clean install - use a product like KillDisk and wipe the entire HDD. Then install Windows 7 x86. Win 7, like Vista, has many legacy drivers, so you should not have to install any drivers during OS installation.

KillDisk - http://www.killdisk.com/downloadfree.htm

Make bootable KillDisk ISO CD w/ ImgBurn -
ImgBurn - http://www.imgburn.com/index.php?act=download

Regardless of clean install or not, you will have to re-install all installed programs. The only data that you will be able to transfer are the files in your user profile folders - Docs, Music, Pics, etc...

Regards. . .

jcgriff2

.

07-30-2009, 10:27 PM	#1 (permalink)
LeftIsTrembling Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 74 OS: XP	Does Windows 7 merit a clean install I am considering getting Windows 7 for my desktop that runs Vista x32. My desktop has Athlon 64 X2 dual core process, it is a AMD Athlon X2 4400+ I believe (don't remember the exact number). I have two questions 1. Would an upgrade to Windows 7 x32 merit a clean install? 2. Would an upgrade to Windows 7 x64 merit a clean install? Due to my busy semester this fall, a clean install would take way too much time and basically kill one of my weekends, not to mention a fact that I don't have an external harddrive to back up everything onto in the first place Last edited by LeftIsTrembling; 07-30-2009 at 10:30 PM.

07-30-2009, 10:35 PM	#2 (permalink)
spike2me TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 2,643 OS: XP SP3, Vista SP2, Windows7	Re: Does Windows 7 merit a clean install If you install 64bit you have to format before your install. The 32bit version will tell you to backup as doing an Update will possibly loose your information. You can backup to CD or DVD but the easiest way is with an external HDD. __________________ Spike Baron A Plus, MCSE, MCAS (office 2007) MOUS, CNA

07-31-2009, 04:30 AM	#3 (permalink)
usasma Tech Hardware Team Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Southeastern CT, USA Posts: 1,650 OS: Vista (x64); Win7 (x32 & x64)	Re: Does Windows 7 merit a clean install All would merit a clean install. IMO the older an installation of Vista, the more likely it will be that you'd have problems with an "upgrade" - so a clean install is called for. As spike2me states, you'll have to clean install to get the 64 bit version - but I still recommend a clean install for the 32 bit version also. Check your system with the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor beta: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en To see if your processor supports the features necessary for hardware DEP and hardware virtualization (needed for the XP VM), try this free tool: http://www.grc.com/securable.htm __________________ aka John MVP Windows - Desktop Experience "There are very few problems in life that can't be fixed by the proper application of high explosives" If I haven't replied in 48 hours, please send me a PM.

07-31-2009, 03:16 PM	#4 (permalink)
pat mcgroin TSF Enthusiast Join Date: May 2009 Location: Toledo Oh. Posts: 603 OS: XP Professional SP2 Vista Ultimate SP2	Re: Does Windows 7 merit a clean install One other thing to think about is that there are many online areas that you could use to store your info on while you do this. Your school may also offer this. As with a local external HDD triple check to be certain that you have everything that you want before you start in that storage area. And above all else make a cd with your NEW drivers and anti virus before you start. One other option that if I were a student would think a lot about would be to get a second HDD and install it and either dual boot or store things on. Im guessing that you will use this computer for school work, games,facebook,porn etc. I know I would. Two HDDS and possibly dual boot would allow things to be kept seperate and safe. Look around at your school and see if you can find where people trade or sell for beer money their misc. computer parts and you may be able to get one very cheap. Good Luck and do something important. My kids depend on you.

07-31-2009, 04:04 PM	#5 (permalink)
LeftIsTrembling Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 74 OS: XP	Re: Does Windows 7 merit a clean install I don't think an online storage method would work, as Berkeley has a 12GB per week bandwidth limit on all dorm connections. I think I might just end up borrowing my sister's or my dad's external harddrive whenever I do the clean install. Backing everything up onto my laptop (which I am currently using), might be what I end up doing if the harddrive stuff is unfeasable. My laptop isn't worth upgrading as I barely use it during the school year. Last edited by LeftIsTrembling; 07-31-2009 at 04:12 PM.

07-31-2009, 04:13 PM	#6 (permalink)
jcgriff2 Moderator, Microsoft Supp Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: The Great State of New Jersey - away from the gross corruption of the Riverside County, CA, SO office. SHAMEFUL ! Posts: 10,126 OS: Windows 7, Vista Ultimate My System	Re: Does Windows 7 merit a clean install Hi - I would not advise going from x86 to x64 - unless you are very, very sure that you can find x64 device drivers for EVERY device. x64 device drivers MUST BE DIGITALLY SIGNED or they will not load. Go with Windows 7 x86 first and make sure there are no problems. It should take about an hour or two to install Windows 7. I would do a clean install - use a product like KillDisk and wipe the entire HDD. Then install Windows 7 x86. Win 7, like Vista, has many legacy drivers, so you should not have to install any drivers during OS installation. KillDisk - http://www.killdisk.com/downloadfree.htm Make bootable KillDisk ISO CD w/ ImgBurn - ImgBurn - http://www.imgburn.com/index.php?act=download Regardless of clean install or not, you will have to re-install all installed programs. The only data that you will be able to transfer are the files in your user profile folders - Docs, Music, Pics, etc... Regards. . . jcgriff2 . __________________ . . . . . . . . BSOD Posting Instructions B Expecting a reply and waiting > 36 hours ? Send a PM to me containing a link to your thread Glad to be home in the Great State of New Jersey ! !