Question with windows w/upgrade

Sniper

You should have no problems and yes you will have to re-install windows on the new system before upgrading to windows vista.

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Matt Bachand

Thanks for your response.

So, Since I only have an old vista upgrade copy, and my new computer is NOT coming with any OS, I will either need to change my order to include Vista (89) or buy a full vista install. My VISTA UPGRADE will not work, am I correct?

So Microsoft is going to get me to buy another copy of windows, even though I am running only one copy when all is said and done.

Sniper

Do you currently have windows xp or vista install running?

If you plan to have only one machine running, you should be fine installing the copy of vista as long as up remove it from the old system, you will also have reactivate on the new machine I think (not sure about that though).

The vista upgrade cd requires you to have windows xp installed first, now if you don't have a install cd for that, you will need to buy a full vista install.

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Matt Bachand

I completely understand.

Here is what I am going to do. Hook the new Sata HD into my old computer and duplicate my current booting hard drive. Then put that into the new machine and try to boot up.

I know it will be a complete and total changes. This is what I did last time I upgraded. It took some time to get all the drivers going, but once internet is up that gets pretty easy.

Last time I did it, I just slapped the old drive in the new Case/MB and let her rip. This time I want it on the newer style SataII larger drive instead of the now very old 80gb brick.

Matt Bachand

All I am basically doing is upgrading/replacing the MB/CPU. LEaving everything else.

Sniper

Give it a go and post back with results

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Matt Bachand

The biggest thing to remember to do first is to un-install the HDD controller, and re-install the microsoft generic IDE controller....

THe only thing that worries me, is my vista upgrade is basically tied to an OEM compaq computer, that I migrated once already into a new machine, so I think i'm just going to buy full vista, and keep my computer tidy clean, without all the garbled mess from OEM freebies.

I guess I will have to re-isntall some programs, but not too many.

Sniper, have you had any experience with exporting data from one windows setup to an other? (all the user files/data files etc).

I believe there is a built in program for this?

Another question I have. Can I make a new partition out of 100GB of free space from one of my drives without re-formatting?

Sniper

I no longer use windows, so not sure about the migration wizard but no doubt it should help you to transfer files to the new system, maybe it will let you do it over the local network or using a cd-r.

My Setup for all windows machines

C: System (windows xp)
D: Programs (Firefox, Adaware etc)
E: Users (means if I reinstall windows, user data is still there)

The way I setup windows meant I've never had to migrate user data. I only regarded user data as the most important since everything else can be reinstalled or used without reinstalling. Plus its a good idea to do a clean install every now and then, just to clear out any crap or when the system starts to feel sluggish.

With programs, for most you will have to reinstall because of all the windows registry crap. Main purpose of the programs partition was to use it for Portable versions of software, which means there's no need to reinstall.

You can indeed make a new partition without reinstalling, I've only used Partition Magic in the past but is paid software. I think you might be able to do it within windows under computer management -> disk management (try right clicking on the hard drive for options)

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Matt Bachand

A great idea. How large do you think would be wise for the vista partition, 50gig?

I will have 320gb of sata and 320gb of Pata to work with, so vista will have 50gb of SataII drive as C: Maybe just make it an even 100? as I'm not starved with room?

I've also always in the back of my head thought that if windows swap file was on a physically different hard drive it helps performance as the HDD isn't jumping back and forth...

Ghostman 1

Unless both of these computer share the exact same specks, it will not work..

Matt Bachand

I have accepted the fact that I will buy a new full copy of windows. In the long run this will be better anyhow as now I have a real copy, not oem.