Which OS to upgrade to

[Bizman]

ok I've decided to go with 7 but have a question. When I get the disk can I format and partition my hard drive with it? I do know that I have to format the drive to get a "clean" install, am I right?

Turns out xp isn't seeing all the memory actually installed.

As TC said, yes, you can format and partition your hard drive with the Win7 disc. If you want to split your hdd into more than one partition, I'd suggest you only create the OS partition with the disc and do the rest from within Windows. Note that the partitioning/installing procedure will also create a small partition for System use, so if you need to redo the partitioning for any reason you'd have to remove the system partition too.

[guncrasher]

Yes, you can create however many partitions you want and format them,, etc... With the Win7 disc

TC

think the max number is 3 partitions.


semp

[MrRiplEy[H]]

think the max number is 3 partitions.


semp

There shouldnt be a limitation. Why would there?

[Skuzzy]

There shouldnt be a limitation. Why would there?

In simple terms.

When using the traditional MBR configuration, there is a limit, for every file system type available.  NTFS limits you to 4 physical partitions, or 3 physical partitions and 1 virtual partition.  These are maximum values.

Now, in the virtual/extended partition, you can have up to 25 logical drives, but those are not partitions.

Mounted drives are, yet again, another beast.

[MrRiplEy[H]]

This is semantics again. Nobody is forced to use the legacy MBR (well, unless you're using legacy hardware with a 32-bit windows that is).

Windows desktop versions have had GPT boot support since Vista and EFI specification lists a minimum of 128 partitions to be supported. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GUID_Partition_Table

[guncrasher]

I have windows 7 installed.  64bit to be exact.   tried using windows to create partitions and it limits me to 3 plus a virtual.

But if you have a better way do tell instead of just playing games.


semp

[MrRiplEy[H]]

I have windows 7 installed.  64bit to be exact.   tried using windows to create partitions and it limits me to 3 plus a virtual.

But if you have a better way do tell instead of just playing games.


semp

This same process should work for Win7 x64: https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dn336946.aspx?f=255&MSPPError=-2147217396

[Bizman]

If you allow, I have a dumb question: What is the reason for wanting more than 4 partitions on one single disk?

I know that by calculating the price per gigabyte a 3 TB hard disk is a tempting choice. Then again, think about a huge basket full of eggs: If the bottom falls off, they're scrambled no matter how many dividers in the basket. In case of a major hard disk failure the data on separate disks than the failed one will be safe.

Raid is yet again another beast.

[ML52]

I got windows 7 up and running today; used 1 partition. I am having some issues with having to give permissions for the pictures, doc, etc that I stored on my external hard drive. Also searching for a free version of microsoft word, had one with xp.

[Bizman]

I got windows 7 up and running today; used 1 partition. I am having some issues with having to give permissions for the pictures, doc, etc that I stored on my external hard drive. Also searching for a free version of microsoft word, had one with xp.

Am I right to suggest that opening any file is prohibited and the system asks if you'd like to get the permission? If so, this might help: https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc753659.aspx. Hint: instead of making you the owner of the files, give full permissions to Everyone. That way you can use the files with any computer you attach the external hdd to.

There's no such thing as a free version of Microsoft Word. Several years ago there was a bundled offer with a preinstalled Office, as well as the Office Starter with certain OEM Win7 computers.

You might like to try the free Office Live: https://office.live.com but if you're concerned about your privacy, Libre Office might be a better alternative.

[MrRiplEy[H]]

Am I right to suggest that opening any file is prohibited and the system asks if you'd like to get the permission? If so, this might help: https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc753659.aspx. Hint: instead of making you the owner of the files, give full permissions to Everyone. That way you can use the files with any computer you attach the external hdd to.

There's no such thing as a free version of Microsoft Word. Several years ago there was a bundled offer with a preinstalled Office, as well as the Office Starter with certain OEM Win7 computers.

You might like to try the free Office Live: https://office.live.com but if you're concerned about your privacy, Libre Office might be a better alternative.

Yeah libreoffice does everything that paid office does practically and it doesn't have the stupid ribbon ui.

[Chalenge]

There's no such thing as a free version of Microsoft Word. Several years ago there was a bundled offer with a preinstalled Office, as well as the Office Starter with certain OEM Win7 computers.

He might be thinking of WordPad.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/products/features/wordpad

[Bizman]

He might be thinking of WordPad.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/products/features/wordpad

If that's the question, then yes, it's a very good alternative for most text creating and editing needs a private person would ever need. But it can't open and save .doc files which are very common as e-mail attachments. At least my version of WordPad in Win7 Home Premium doesn't. IIRC the Win8 version does, but don't rely on me in this.

[ML52]

Thanks guys up and running!