Lenovo clean install of XP, then 'Vista to Win7' upgrade

[- Bobb -]

I got a Lenovo 3000 PC from friend who was tossing it ( wouldn't boot). Had
no CDs for me, but I took it. I can mount drive in another system and the
disk itself looks ok - but Vista is toast. I had already ordered win7
UPGRADE for another PC but now thinking - this will be my new box.
So, I called Lenovo - ordered the original Vista home premium CD/DVD set and
it will be here in a few days. I asked if it needs an oem partition to do a
reinstall and was told 'no - these DVD's can be used in a brand new drive
and will install fine.' I'd like to get the most from Win7 and it seems like
to do that I need to upgrade from Vista and not XP. If I can I'd like to
multiboot with XP too, so , could someone familiar with Lenovo as well as
Vista/Win7 structure critique this plan:
Partition drive - 4 partitions ? ( 1=XP, 2=Win7, 3=DATA and 4= Lenovo
diag/utility partition)
I install XP , then Lenovo Vista, then upgrade Vista to Win7
Or will installing Lenovo disks wipe XP and leave disk with 2 partitions -
one for me and one for diags ?

If I can have XP and Win7, any difference if I install all updates to Vista
prior to win7 upgrade or will win7 end up the same either way if I wait
until vista is installed , then go right to win7 then " windowsupdate" ?

Thanks for ANY info.

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

Post here for appropriate assistance:
http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/w7install/threads

 

[John E. Carty]

I got a Lenovo 3000 PC from friend who was tossing it ( wouldn't boot).
Had no CDs for me, but I took it. I can mount drive in another system and
the disk itself looks ok - but Vista is toast. I had already ordered win7
UPGRADE for another PC but now thinking - this will be my new box.
So, I called Lenovo - ordered the original Vista home premium CD/DVD set
and it will be here in a few days. I asked if it needs an oem partition to
do a reinstall and was told 'no - these DVD's can be used in a brand new
drive and will install fine.' I'd like to get the most from Win7 and it
seems like to do that I need to upgrade from Vista and not XP. If I can
I'd like to multiboot with XP too, so , could someone familiar with Lenovo
as well as Vista/Win7 structure critique this plan:
Partition drive - 4 partitions ? ( 1=XP, 2=Win7, 3=DATA and 4= Lenovo
diag/utility partition)
I install XP , then Lenovo Vista, then upgrade Vista to Win7
Or will installing Lenovo disks wipe XP and leave disk with 2 partitions -
one for me and one for diags ?

If I can have XP and Win7, any difference if I install all updates to
Vista prior to win7 upgrade or will win7 end up the same either way if I
wait until vista is installed , then go right to win7 then "
windowsupdate" ?

Thanks for ANY info.

Why not skip the Vista install and do a clean install of your Windows 7
Upgrade media?
<http://www.winsupersite.com/win7/clean_install_upgrade_media.asp>

 

[- Bobb -]

news:[email protected]...

Why not skip the Vista install and do a clean install of your Windows 7
Upgrade media?
<http://www.winsupersite.com/win7/clean_install_upgrade_media.asp>

But I'd like to end up with XP AND Win7.
I'm thinking if only XP on there, Win7 will install but will reformat drive
( XP gets wiped, right ?). So that's why I thought I need to install xp ,
then when Lenovo Vista arrives put that on part 2, then install Win7 OVER
Vista. I read that page and it SOUNDS good but doesn't refer to both XP and
Vista- my understanding of the upgrade process is that :
if only XP it will reformat.
If Vista, it will give me option to UPGRADE Vista - leaving me with XP and
Win7

 

[- Bobb -]

on my way - thank you.

Post here for appropriate assistance:
http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/w7install/threads

 

[John E. Carty]

But I'd like to end up with XP AND Win7.
I'm thinking if only XP on there, Win7 will install but will reformat
drive ( XP gets wiped, right ?). So that's why I thought I need to install
xp , then when Lenovo Vista arrives put that on part 2, then install Win7
OVER Vista. I read that page and it SOUNDS good but doesn't refer to both
XP and Vista- my understanding of the upgrade process is that :
if only XP it will reformat.
If Vista, it will give me option to UPGRADE Vista - leaving me with XP and
Win7

As long as you are putting them on separate partitions or drives you will
have both

 

[- Bobb -]

As long as you are putting them on separate partitions or drives you will
have both

So Win7 will reformat the PARTITION not the drive ?
I thought it would wipe the DRIVE. Got it. Thanks