Windows 7 upgrade

[douglasb]

I'm currently running Vista (64bit home premium) but want to install a new SSD and windows 7 on it.

I want to buy windows 7 professional upgrade (because being a student I can get that cheaper than an OEM edition of home premium) but am unsure if it will let me upgrade from my previous version of Windows since this one will be on a new SSD rather than the HDD I have Windows vista on. Will the upgrade version let me do this?

(I'v tried finding the answer on Microsoft's website but it's as clear as mud)

Thanks

[jackvdbuk]

you could do two things:

1. clone the vista partition over to the SSD and "upgrade" on the SSD.

2. just do the upgrade trick in which you install a version below your edition without key and upgrade to your version.. (though i believe would likely break the SLA..)

enjoy

[douglasb]

clone the vista partition over to the SSD and "upgrade" on the SSD.

Nice idea but I'm afraid the drive vista is on isn't partitioned so I'd have to clone the whole drive which is more than the SSD can take. Although having said that could I empty the vista drive of everything apart for vista then clone it?

[pp05]

I have not heard positive things about Vista on SSD.

[douglasb]

I have not heard positive things about Vista on SSD.

I'm not planning on putting Vista on an SSD. Vista will either remain on my HDD for dual boot or be removed, I'm undecided yet... 7 will be going on the SSD

[peterb]

I have not heard positive things about Vista. on SSD.

Just correct that for you

[jackvdbuk]

well just do the 2nd option, or just remove all large files/software and use disc management software to resize the partition to the smallest it will go as a partition, surely not 120GB worth of installations on your OS drive? let us know what you do either way

[douglasb]

well just do the 2nd option, or just remove all large files/software and use disc management software to resize the partition to the smallest it will go as a partition, surely not 120GB worth of installations on your OS drive? let us know what you do either way

That's what iv settled on doing although I'm waiting for an email back from Microsoft to hear their views first... Iv more than 120GB on that drive but it's been in need of a clear out for a while now & iv kept putting it off so this will be a good opertunity.

Any software you would recommend in particular for resizing the partition & cloning it?

[douglasb]

Microsoft have been very unhelpful (to be honest I wasn't expecting much) and have given in and said they no longer sell upgrade packages despite me finding one available for purchase.

I may clone Vista across to the SSD, what software would you recommend for this?

although I'm also leaning towards just giving up and buying an OEM copy of 7 and doing a fresh install on the SSD and leaving Vista on my HDD in case the SSD dies

[jackvdbuk]

i have used acronis disk director and had no problems in doing so, not free but i used an older version i purchased years ago but still works perfectly, there are good free alternatives aswell like EaseUS.

just let it finish and be patient.. it can take a LONG time to complete

[Tartanpimpernel]

Vista doesn't support the "TRIM" command that the SSD needs, and your SSD performance will degrade over time.

There are utilities to try and deal with this; they vary between drive manufacturers.

Saying that it might be ok tho for getting vista over and then upgrading.

ADD is a great backup tool, but if you are after a free tool try - Drive Image XML ( http://www.runtime.org/driveimage-xml.htm/ )

For £100ish an OEM copy of Win7 is a cheap price to pay to save you a lot of hassle & stress...?

[douglasb]

I'm probably just going to go for an OEM copy for £80. It's £40 more than the upgrade version (student discounts are brilliant things) but for the reduction in hassle I'm not bothered by the extra cost too much.

Thanks for all the help guys