Got My Vista Copy Today

[a7med_360]

Hey, i got my vista copy today, im about to install it just want to clarify these facts.....


Will it delete my partition(recovery) & my D:\ drive and and do i follow the sticky guide on this forum or the book?
Because i just want to install and format the C:\

[MattWilson]

So it is a full copy not an update?

When you go to install it it will come up with a screen with a list of partitions on it much like XP i imagine so you need to make sure that you over write the correct one as there will be no free space to make another partition. To make another partition you will have to use another program like Partition Magic to resize your partitions.

[a7med_360]

are you sure about this because all my data is backed up on the D:\ drive partition around 28GB and i dnt have an external hardrive to put it in.......so i just wanna double check, any who has done the upgrade tell me please, if your 100% sure matt ill do it

[MattWilson]

I am sorry but i am not 100% sure because i have never installed vista. All i can suggest is that you backup all your important data to DVD's. Better to be save than sorry.

[a7med_360]

I have a couple of discs but and im running NERO but it wont use multidiscs to burn i need around 7 discs DVD each 4.7gb(i have) but the software requires it all on one disc i dont know another program that will split them up......... thats why ive backed up on the D:\ drive......

[MattWilson]

Are you trying to back up the whole xp installation?

Why not just back up documents and music and pics etc

These are much easier to sort out onto separate discs.

ps. Make sure you have done system recovery discs.

[jumbles1971]

When you boot from the Vista disc you'll eventually come to a screen that lets you select install type. It'll probably say Upgrade Disabled and let you select custom install. The custom install lets you select a partition to install onto (I think you can create/delete/format partitions as well so be careful and don't do what my dad normally does in situations like this and hit random buttons then spend hours complaining to tech support on their premium rate numbers). As long as you don't select the partition with your backup on you'll be fine - installing Vista on the c: partition won't touch the d: partition.

topbanana: to get it running as smooth as it did with XP you need the recovery discs you made when you got your laptop.

[a7med_360]

Thanks man ill try now

[a7med_360]

Are you trying to back up the whole xp installation?

Why not just back up documents and music and pics etc

These are much easier to sort out onto separate discs.

ps. Make sure you have done system recovery discs.

My documents music pics etc total upto 28GB i dont want the whole xp

[MattWilson]

All you need to do then is take folders equaling 4.7GB and burn them on to the disc. Then you can have several discs each full. Its just spliting it yourself and then you can put them all back in the correct folders if it goes wrong.

[a7med_360]

backing them on my ipod......im using it as an external harddrive.........thanks for all the help im going to install vista in 5-10minutes