upgradin from xp pro to win7

[firbal]

Been having trouble with my main system. So decided to go ahead and upgrade the op. system to win7.
Having trouble getting to the custom install. The system says its found an exception or other and cann't continue. So now my question is, how can I get to formating my c drive with xp or before windows loads? And can I load the upgrade dish as if it's a new build operating system?

[Delirium]

What was the problem with your system that convinced you to upgrade to Win7? That problem may be preventing Win7 from loading properly.

I would of strongly urged you to fix the problem before compounding it by adding Win7 to the mix.

The Win7 OS disk should allow you to format the drive, just like the XP OS disk does. I had the SAME problem, I was having numerous crashes in Vista until finally even some of my programs wouldn't load. I figured the OS got corrupted and I tried to format/install Win7 on the drive. I had similar errors and Win7 would not load and generally, the load failed at the same spot each time. I had no clue what was wrong, I even wondered if the Win7 OS disk was scratched. It turns out I had a bad ram stick, removing the one bad stick fixed all of my problems.

You can use the upgrade disk on any system that already has a Microsoft OS already on it. It will not allow you to install Win7 on a blank drive.

[Krusty]

I have a similar issue whenever I reformat/reinstall XP Pro... It won't work unless I remove 1 of my 2 matched pair RAM modules. Won't install with 2 GB. Have to drop it down to 1GB. The ram is perfectly fine. I've checked and rechecked it. I can use either one in the XP install, interchangably, just not both.

[cattb]

Windows 7 will not upgrade XP. Windows 7 will clean install and that is the best way anyway ( I think it will save your XP files in a folder or some of the files..I did a clean install on a seperate drive). You could try a Checkdisk on your C drive or drive your OS is on. An other option is to run memtest for your memory or prime95 and look for errors. Just some trouble shooting ideas for you.

[firbal]

The problem I have is that my system would lock up or look busy. Couldn't get it to work. I tried running spyware and my anti virus programs to find my problem(s). I've only been able to use my computer in safe mode to get anything done. Then I cann't seem to do a repair on xp because it wants an admin password. I never setup a password when I installed xp. I mean, way would I. When I built it, I was the only one using it. Now I have a wife and her daughter the uses both my systems. But there still no reason to use a password.
I'll see if I can do the disk scan on it.

[cattb]

The way I read this is your trying to repair the OS.
The only way I think you can be doing this is with the Windows CD. When you come to the part in repair and the program ask you for a password, push on the enter key. The program will  always ask for a administor password and since you never installed one you should not have to type anything in but just to push on enter key.
If you cannot get into the recovery mode or you do and still cannot get the system to boot and run properly, you should redo the OS. SInce you can't get windows 7 to load try the WIndows XP. If you have any data to save try to save it it before putting new OS on it. Virus scan the old data before migrating it back to a new OS.

[Ghosth]

I would truly hesitate to upgrade a system with a problem as you have described.

Much better if you are convinced you want to move up to Win 7 to backup your data, wipe the drive and start from scratch.

OR, backup your data, and wipe the drive and reinstall XP.

OR Backup your data, partition the drive into 2, and install both so you can dual boot.
Installing XP first.  In some respects this is the best of both worlds.

What I wouldn't do is install a new OS on a system that was unstable, infected, or otherwise had issues.
Your just asking for more issues. If you have a problem, find it and fix it on the OS that you at least already know somewhat.

[Tigger29]

You can use the upgrade disk on any system that already has a Microsoft OS already on it. It will not allow you to install Win7 on a blank drive.

Actually, that's not entirely true.  It is possible to install Win7 upgrade on a blank drive (I've done it twice now)... once I had to change a registry entry upon the first boot (32 bit), and the other I didn't even have to do that (64 bit).. both systems are fully authenticated, activated, and operating flawlessly.

Vista/7 have come a long ways over XP as far as detecting hardware problems.  I believe you do have either hardware issues or malware (possibly virus) issues.. My advice would be to back up whatever you want to keep... wipe the drive... reinstall XP and make sure the issues are fixed.  If they are, then feel free to go with Win7...

[firbal]

Thanks guys. I've already backed up everything. I was actully able to use my system yesterday. I was able to use M$ program tool to save my personal stuff. I've also manually save my stuff. I have it all on another drive.
I want to do a clean install of the OS. But with xp, I cann't find my key to reload it.
When I do install win7, I'm going with the 64 bit. Glad to hear I can use the upgrade instead of having to go out and buy the the full program.
As far as the repair, when I've come to the part where it ask for the admin password, I've hit the enter button and it do brings up the dos prompt.
And how would I get to the part on start up that I can manually format my hard drive?

[TequilaChaser]

"magic jelly bean key finder" ( google it ) is a key finder for most of your installed programs on your HD... I believe it is free download also, and is very small download.......


#1- as far as formatting their are several ways to go about it...but if you are installing a new OS, it should prompt you automatically to create and format a new partition or to format an existing partition before installing the new OS......

#2- or you can go and in the windows Help center, just type in Format  in the search box and read up on it.......

I suggest the #1 option for most users.......

always read up / re-read before following thru with what you are about to do.......

hope this helps

[maus92]

I had XP Pro on my machine when I installed 32bit Win7 RC.  When the OS started nagging me to upgrade to a release version of Win7, I reverted back to my old XP install, then did a clean install of an upgrade version Win7 64bit home premium.  Check to see if there is a windows.old directory on your computer.  If there is, Microsoft has a KB article that guides you through a cmd line procedure to revert back to XP, then do a custom install of Win7. It's actually easier than it sounds, but you will have to reinstall applications.

[firbal]

I findly got it. What I found is that I couldn't upgrade to 64bit. When I put in the 32bit, happy days. I now have win7 loaded and working. Now my problem is that win7 is huge! I loaded it on a 80gig hd and now I have 14gig left, with the couple of programs I loaded. I cann't bring back my saved files with the windows transfer program because it is over 55gigs of files. I need to get a mirror program to copy everything over to a bigger hd. I bought a 320 gig hd last week. Now if I can find something that I can copy it over to the new hd.

[Ghastly]

firbal, long time no see.  The tool I use for that is Clonezilla.  It's Linux based, and available for download free of charge.

<S>

[Irwink!]

Win 7 has imaging built in. You don't need Clonezilla or any other 3rd party app.

[firbal]

Win 7 has imaging built in. You don't need Clonezilla or any other 3rd party app.

Where is that located in the program?