OS upgrade/partition back-up issue

J

Jaupro

New Member
Hello, first off i would like to introduce myself. I am 25 years old, from canton,Ohio I'm relatively good with computers. I'm not an expert by any means, but I have a pretty good head on my shoulders when it comes to them.

So here is my first question for this forum:

I am currently running on a computer I bought from tiger direct a few years ago. I couldnt pass it up. It had quad core CPU, 4GB ram, 750GB Hard drive, all for about 400 bucks. (was refurbed and discontinued). Anywho this computer is a gateway that runs Vista. I am tired of running Vista. I went to upgrade to windows 7, and the partitioned backup program freaked out, and had me go back to Vista.

Now, I don't want to lose my backup program, just incase something were to go wrong. But I also would like to have windows 7 on this PC, which would mean I'd have to delete the partition and lose the backup-ability. I am sure there is some kind of work around, that'd allow me to upgrade, and still have my backup. what would you guys recommend? be my process in doing so?
 
I would actually forgo saving vista and just do a clean install of windows 7 and then just reinstall all aps and programs then create a image so you can easily recover from a hard drive failure or whatever. Windows 7 is so much better than Vista.
 
1. Recover your system using the partition to vista with all the gateway applications

2. Create your recovery discs, should be called gateway erecovery, these will be a disc copy of your recovery partition

3. Format the unit clean with windows 7, dont keep the recovery partition as the discs will do the same thing.

4. Eat pizza, because its good.
 
1. Im curious why you guys recommend a fresh install of windows 7 instead of just upgrading to windows 7.

2. should I use a program to delete the partition properly?

3. what program do you guys recommend for setting up my windows 7 backup?
 
1. As long as there is a windows installation on your pc, the 'upgrade' version will let you do a clean install by booting off the windows 7 install disc and choosing 'custom' for your setup type. we recommend this because its better for your pc to just start with windows 7 than install vista and upgrade, no leftover messyness

2. You don't really have to. Just delete all partitions during the windows 7 installation and it'll format and partition your drive automatically before it starts the setup

3. You can config windows to do as much as a complete system image (not a system restore, an actual clone of your disc image as it is), or just selected files and folders to any external storage device on a scheduled basis. Personally I'd just stick with that, no need to really go out and buy some $50 program when you can do it straight through windows

If you meant recovery discs/recovery partitions though, I don't think you can really create them, since they're generally made by the manufacturer so that when you reformat you have all their branded bloatware and your device drivers. You will most likely have to pop over to the gateway website and download new drivers for windows 7, which isn't hard.
 
sorry not trying to sound stupid, but are you recommending I do make a copy of my recovery partition on a dsic? or you think I should just say screw that, and make an image?
 
Jaupro said:
sorry not trying to sound stupid, but are you recommending I do make a copy of my recovery partition on a dsic? or you think I should just say screw that, and make an image?
Click to expand...

I'm saying make your recovery discs while the machine is running vista through gateway's erecovery disc creation tool.

once you've done that, do a fresh install of 7 by booting off the windows 7 disc and selecting custom install

for future backups you can use a tool native to windows to set a scheduled backup of whatever files you want to an external drive, or even a complete system image.

the recovery discs are just in case you want to go back to vista for whatever reason, so you dont lose the ORIGINAL software through formatting.

I'm sorry if I'm being confusing :P
 
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