Windows 7 Install over Vista

[Saint]

I am sorry that this is a little off topic but hope to find an answer to
this question, I have a HP Pavilion dv7 notebook with Windows Vista Home
Premium x64 installed, I also have the CD'S to re-install Vista and all
programs that came with the computer when I bought it.

I have pre-ordered Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium Upgrade and will receive
it October 22 or when it's released, my question is this....

Will I be able to do a clean install on my computer where Windows 7 software
re-formats my hard drive and takes everything off my hard drive and then
installs Windows 7, I really would like to do this if possible, or will I
only be able to install Windows 7 premium over Windows Vista Premium that
is on my computer.

Any help with this question is very appreciated,
Steve

 

[Cari \(MS-MVP\)]

You will be able to do either.... it's your choice. Just remember to backup
everything that is not part of Vista because a clean install will format
your hard drive.

 

[Saint]

Thanks for the information I use Genie Backup Manager Pro and have all my
personal files and programs backed up to a 500-GB external hard drive I will
do a backup just before I install Windows 7.
Steve

 

[LVTravel]

Thanks for the information I use Genie Backup Manager Pro and have all my
personal files and programs backed up to a 500-GB external hard drive I
will do a backup just before I install Windows 7.
Steve

The only backup of programs that will be beneficial to you would be custom
setup information files as the programs themselves will have to be
reinstalled from the original install media once Win 7 has been installed.

The issue you may have with "all the programs that came with the computer"
is that if they were on the rebuild disks provided by the computer
manufacturer you won't be able to pull out those programs from the rebuild
media and install them under Win 7. The included programs would have to be
on individual install media (the programs actually have a separate setup.exe
file (or similar) to be able to be installed on the computer's operating
system. Ensure that you have all the required installation/activation keys
for the programs you will reinstall.

Ensure that you also download and copy to some type of external media (usb
or cd/dvd) all the Win 7 drivers prior for your computer prior to attempting
the installation. While Win 7 install disk may have all the drivers you
need it is always better to be safe than sorry.