os???

[seajamit]

i no that ur supposed to install an windows os on clean, empty hard drives
but is there any way i can do it on a normal hard drive?? plz help (luv to
hear from microsoft)

 

[John Barnett MVP]

You can install windows on a 'normal' drive by formatting it to get rid of
whatever was there in the first place. However, to do that you need a full
copy of Vista, not an upgrade. If you are using an upgrade then you would
install this 'over' your current operating system.

If you have a full retail copy of Vista this link from my website will guide
you through he installation process:
http://vistasupport.mvps.org/install_windows_vista.htm

This link will show you how to format the drive using your Vista DVD:
http://vistasupport.mvps.org/format_partition_using_vista_dvd.htm


--
--
John Barnett MVP
Associate Expert
Windows - Shell/User

Web: http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org
Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org

The information in this mail/post is supplied "as is". No warranty of any
kind, either expressed or implied, is made in relation to the accuracy,
reliability or content of this mail/post. The Author shall not be liable for
any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages arising out of the
use of, or inability to use, information or opinions expressed in this
mail/post..

 

[Augustus]

You can install windows on a 'normal' drive by formatting it to get rid of
whatever was there in the first place. However, to do that you need a full
copy of Vista, not an upgrade. If you are using an upgrade then you would
install this 'over' your current operating system.

If you have a full retail copy of Vista this link from my website will
guide you through he installation process:
http://vistasupport.mvps.org/install_windows_vista.htm

This link will show you how to format the drive using your Vista DVD:
http://vistasupport.mvps.org/format_partition_using_vista_dvd.htm

There's a legal way to do a clean install with an upgrade copy of Vista,
although it takes about double the install time. Worth doing though....
http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/winvista_upgrade_clean.asp

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

i no that ur supposed to install an windows os on clean, empty hard drives

"Supposed to"? No, not at all. You can do a clean installation or you
can do an upgrade.

Although many people will tell you that formatting and installing
cleanly is the best way to go, I disagree. Unlike with previous
versions of Windows, an upgrade to XP replaces almost everything, and
usually works very well.

My recommendation is to at least try the upgrade, since it's much
easier than a clean installation. You can always change your mind and
reinstall cleanly if problems develop.

However, don't assume that doing an upgrade relieves you of the need
to backup your data, etc. before beginning. Before starting to
upgrade, it's always prudent to recognize that things like a sudden
power loss can occur in the middle of it and cause the loss of
everything. For that reason you should make sure you have backups and
anything else you need to reinstall if the worst happens.

but is there any way i can do it on a normal hard drive?? plz help

Exactly what do you mean by "a normal hard drive"? If you are asking
whether you can do an upgrade, of course you can. You need a Retail
copy of Windows, not an OEM one (an OEM copy can only do a clean
installation).

(luv to
hear from microsoft)

In that case, you should contact Microsoft. This isn't Microsoft here.
This is a peer support newsgroup. We are all just Windows XP users
here, helping each other if and when we can. We are not Microsoft
employees (not even those of us with "Microsoft MVP" behind our names;
that's an honorary title for having provided consistently helpful
advice) except for an occasional employee who posts here unofficially
on his own time.

 

[Rick Rogers]

Hi,

You can install to an existing drive with data on it provided there is
sufficient space, just don't format it during setup.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com

 

[CB]

You can install windows on a 'normal' drive by formatting it to get rid of
whatever was there in the first place. However, to do that you need a full
copy of Vista, not an upgrade. If you are using an upgrade then you would
install this 'over' your current operating system.

If you have a full retail copy of Vista this link from my website will guide
you through he installation process:
http://vistasupport.mvps.org/install_windows_vista.htm

This link will show you how to format the drive using your Vista DVD:
http://vistasupport.mvps.org/format_partition_using_vista_dvd.htm

Mr. Barnett,

In all due respect, am I missing something? I purchased a retail
Ultimate upgrade disk soon after purchasing my latest computer in February of
2007, which had Vista Premium factory installed. I have done clean installs
with the Ultimate upgrade disk many times, sometimes just by reformatting the
drive partition Vista was installed on and sometimes by deleting everything
on the harddrive.

I simply boot from the installation disk. I had no problems whatsoever.
In fact, it takes on average 15-20 minutes for the install to complete and
for me to reach the desktop screen, at which time I install any additional
updates not loaded during the install process.

Have a nice day.

C.B.

 

[philo]

i no that ur supposed to install an windows os on clean, empty hard drives
but is there any way i can do it on a normal hard drive?? plz help (luv to
hear from microsoft)

Hello:

First off...this is *not* Microsoft here...just a discussion group
consisting of people who are not Microsoft employees.

At any rate...you certainly do not have to use a brand new drive to install
Vista.

If there is nothing on the drive you need to keep...
when you install Vista...you have the option to simply format the drive and
start fresh.

 

[Spanky deMonkey]

"Supposed to"? No, not at all. You can do a clean installation or you
can do an upgrade.

Although many people will tell you that formatting and installing
cleanly is the best way to go, I disagree. Unlike with previous
versions of Windows, an upgrade to XP replaces almost everything, and
usually works very well.

and you call yourself an MVP. Upgrading is NOT the way to go because as you
said almost everything is replaced and it usually works very well. Some
problems are carried over to the upgraded system. Upgrading doesn't correct
issues 100%. It is always better to do a clean install. A clean install is
much more work, but you are much better to do it.

You do the upgrade and I'll do the clean install. My machine will work much
better than yours.

 

[seajamit]

thanks for the help
--
Jamie

"Supposed to"? No, not at all. You can do a clean installation or you
can do an upgrade.

Although many people will tell you that formatting and installing
cleanly is the best way to go, I disagree. Unlike with previous
versions of Windows, an upgrade to XP replaces almost everything, and
usually works very well.

My recommendation is to at least try the upgrade, since it's much
easier than a clean installation. You can always change your mind and
reinstall cleanly if problems develop.

However, don't assume that doing an upgrade relieves you of the need
to backup your data, etc. before beginning. Before starting to
upgrade, it's always prudent to recognize that things like a sudden
power loss can occur in the middle of it and cause the loss of
everything. For that reason you should make sure you have backups and
anything else you need to reinstall if the worst happens.




Exactly what do you mean by "a normal hard drive"? If you are asking
whether you can do an upgrade, of course you can. You need a Retail
copy of Windows, not an OEM one (an OEM copy can only do a clean
installation).




In that case, you should contact Microsoft. This isn't Microsoft here.
This is a peer support newsgroup. We are all just Windows XP users
here, helping each other if and when we can. We are not Microsoft
employees (not even those of us with "Microsoft MVP" behind our names;
that's an honorary title for having provided consistently helpful
advice) except for an occasional employee who posts here unofficially
on his own time.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

thanks for the help

You're welcome. Glad to help.