Windows Vista Install without erasing partition.

Hi Everyone,

I've been looking all over the net and on the forums here and I can't find a definitive answer to my question, so here goes:

Can I safely perform a clean install of Windows Vista on my Secondary Hard Drive (D without erasing the folder structure there for a dual-boot with an XP 32bit which is currently on C:? I have program installations, some music etc. stored on D: and I don't have the space on C: to move them there to completely erase or format D:.

I know for a fact that I can do this with an XP installation (because I've done it before) - I just told it to install to the formatted partition and it just created the necessary files in the root directory and the \documents and settings\ and \windows\ subdirs.

I really hope windows vista 32bit can do the same. Can someone who has done this or knows for a fact confirm that if I just tell it to install to a formatted partition it will only create the new folders (windows\ and users\ from what I've seen elsewhere) without erasing anything else?

Also, is it just as safe to launch the clean install over D: from within windows or would you recommend booting from the DVD?

How about 64bit (I'm also thinking of a triple-boot with another hard drive - XP, Vista 32bit, Vista 64bit)? It should be the same with 32bit but has anyone encountered anything different?

I'm using Vista Business btw.

I don't know the answer to your question regarding the install, but here is
something to think about. What happens if you don't update anything and you
just continue on your merry way then your D: drive dies? What happens to
your songs and other data you have stored there? It sounds like you don't
have a backup. It's not IF your hard drive will crash, it's WHEN. You
should assume that each time your PC starts, you could have a disaster.


"HeatSurge" <HeatSurge.2osks8@no-mx.forums.net> wrote in message
news:HeatSurge.2osks8@no-mx.forums.net...
>
> Hi Everyone,
>
> I've been looking all over the net and on the forums here and I can't
> find a definitive answer to my question, so here goes:
>
> Can I safely perform a clean install of Windows Vista on my Secondary
> Hard Drive (D without erasing the folder structure there for a
> dual-boot with an XP 32bit which is currently on C:? I have program
> installations, some music etc. stored on D: and I don't have the space
> on C: to move them there to completely erase or format D:.
>
> I know for a fact that I can do this with an XP installation (because
> I've done it before) - I just told it to install to the formatted
> partition and it just created the necessary files in the root directory
> and the \documents and settings\ and \windows\ subdirs.
>
> I really hope windows vista 32bit can do the same. Can someone who has
> done this or knows for a fact confirm that if I just tell it to install
> to a formatted partition it will only create the new folders (windows\
> and users\ from what I've seen elsewhere) without erasing anything
> else?
>
> Also, is it just as safe to launch the clean install over D: from
> within windows or would you recommend booting from the DVD?
>
> How about 64bit (I'm also thinking of a triple-boot with another hard
> drive - XP, Vista 32bit, Vista 64bit)? It should be the same with 32bit
> but has anyone encountered anything different?
>
> I'm using Vista Business btw.
>
>
> --
> HeatSurge
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> HeatSurge's Profile: http://www.vista64.net/forums/member.php?userid=2384
> View this thread: http://www.vista64.net/forums/showthread.php?t=55272
>

You will need to backup that data on the D: drive. When you launch Vista
setup, you will be given the option to select drive/partition on which you
would like to install Vista on. Vista's setup will delete the contents of
that partition/drive if data is on it. Vista x64 requires a clean
installation.
--
Andre
Blog: http://adacosta.spaces.live.com
My Vista Quickstart Guide:
http://adacosta.spaces.live.com/blog...3DB!9709.entry
"HeatSurge" <HeatSurge.2osks8@no-mx.forums.net> wrote in message
news:HeatSurge.2osks8@no-mx.forums.net...
>
> Hi Everyone,
>
> I've been looking all over the net and on the forums here and I can't
> find a definitive answer to my question, so here goes:
>
> Can I safely perform a clean install of Windows Vista on my Secondary
> Hard Drive (D without erasing the folder structure there for a
> dual-boot with an XP 32bit which is currently on C:? I have program
> installations, some music etc. stored on D: and I don't have the space
> on C: to move them there to completely erase or format D:.
>
> I know for a fact that I can do this with an XP installation (because
> I've done it before) - I just told it to install to the formatted
> partition and it just created the necessary files in the root directory
> and the \documents and settings\ and \windows\ subdirs.
>
> I really hope windows vista 32bit can do the same. Can someone who has
> done this or knows for a fact confirm that if I just tell it to install
> to a formatted partition it will only create the new folders (windows\
> and users\ from what I've seen elsewhere) without erasing anything
> else?
>
> Also, is it just as safe to launch the clean install over D: from
> within windows or would you recommend booting from the DVD?
>
> How about 64bit (I'm also thinking of a triple-boot with another hard
> drive - XP, Vista 32bit, Vista 64bit)? It should be the same with 32bit
> but has anyone encountered anything different?
>
> I'm using Vista Business btw.
>
>
> --
> HeatSurge
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> HeatSurge's Profile: http://www.vista64.net/forums/member.php?userid=2384
> View this thread: http://www.vista64.net/forums/showthread.php?t=55272
>

Bill: Yes, I know... and it's happened in the past (partially). I'm just too lazy I guess, but I'll back everything up eventually. Backups are good I know, but we digress.

Andre: Sad to hear. Can someone else please confirm that windows vista will wipe the partition clean if you just select an already formatted NTFS physical partition with stuff on it and do NOT format it in the setup (I don't know if this is an option as I haven't installed yet, but I assume it is)?

WTF did they have to do this when XP installs fine on FAT32 and NTFS space without any adverse effects?! Gah.

"HeatSurge" <HeatSurge.2osks8@no-mx.forums.net> wrote in message
news:HeatSurge.2osks8@no-mx.forums.net...
>
> Hi Everyone,
>
> I've been looking all over the net and on the forums here and I can't
> find a definitive answer to my question, so here goes:
>
> Can I safely perform a clean install of Windows Vista on my Secondary
> Hard Drive (D without erasing the folder structure there for a
> dual-boot with an XP 32bit which is currently on C:? I have program
> installations, some music etc. stored on D: and I don't have the space
> on C: to move them there to completely erase or format D:.

Is D: a 2nd physical hard drive? If so why no just change the bios to boot
this disk first?

If I hit F8 whilst my PC is running the POST I can choose what device to
boot from, which is useful if I don't want to boot from my normal 'C:'
drive.


--
Michael Chare

Umm... yeah, I can do that, but that's not the issue.

The issue is "Can I safely perform a clean install (i.e. not upgrade from XP)... without erasing the folder structure/files on D:"?

Hello Andre
While a backup is always recommended when running setup as safety
precaution, setup should not delete the files and folder on a drive unless
the user selects to do so.
If we find an existing copy of Windows, we backup that folder into
Windows.old.
If you do not format or partition the drive, the data should remain intact.
There are certain folders that should not exist that may be renamed or
block setup such as:
\windows
\winnt
\program files
\Users
\Documents and Settings
Thanks,
Darrell Gorter[MSFT]

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights
--------------------
|>From: "Andre Da Costa[ActiveWin]" <andred25@hotmail.com>
|>References: <HeatSurge.2osks8@no-mx.forums.net>
|>Subject: Re: Windows Vista Install without erasing partition.
|>Date: Mon, 9 Apr 2007 17:27:11 -0500
|>Lines: 53
|>X-Priority: 3
|>X-MSMail-Priority: Normal
|>X-Newsreader: Microsoft Outlook Express 6.00.3790.2826
|>X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.00.3790.2826
|>X-RFC2646: Format=Flowed; Original
|>Message-ID: <#mW7UZveHHA.5052@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl>
|>Newsgroups: microsoft.public.windows.vista.general
|>NNTP-Posting-Host: 208.131.186.18
|>Path: TK2MSFTNGHUB02.phx.gbl!TK2MSFTNGP01.phx.gbl!TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl
|>Xref: TK2MSFTNGHUB02.phx.gbl microsoft.public.windows.vista.general:80497
|>X-Tomcat-NG: microsoft.public.windows.vista.general
|>
|>You will need to backup that data on the D: drive. When you launch Vista
|>setup, you will be given the option to select drive/partition on which
you
|>would like to install Vista on. Vista's setup will delete the contents of
|>that partition/drive if data is on it. Vista x64 requires a clean
|>installation.
|>--
|> Andre
|>Blog: http://adacosta.spaces.live.com
|>My Vista Quickstart Guide:
|>http://adacosta.spaces.live.com/blog...3DB!9709.entry
|>"HeatSurge" <HeatSurge.2osks8@no-mx.forums.net> wrote in message
|>news:HeatSurge.2osks8@no-mx.forums.net...
|>>
|>> Hi Everyone,
|>>
|>> I've been looking all over the net and on the forums here and I can't
|>> find a definitive answer to my question, so here goes:
|>>
|>> Can I safely perform a clean install of Windows Vista on my Secondary
|>> Hard Drive (D without erasing the folder structure there for a
|>> dual-boot with an XP 32bit which is currently on C:? I have program
|>> installations, some music etc. stored on D: and I don't have the space
|>> on C: to move them there to completely erase or format D:.
|>>
|>> I know for a fact that I can do this with an XP installation (because
|>> I've done it before) - I just told it to install to the formatted
|>> partition and it just created the necessary files in the root directory
|>> and the \documents and settings\ and \windows\ subdirs.
|>>
|>> I really hope windows vista 32bit can do the same. Can someone who has
|>> done this or knows for a fact confirm that if I just tell it to install
|>> to a formatted partition it will only create the new folders (windows\
|>> and users\ from what I've seen elsewhere) without erasing anything
|>> else?
|>>
|>> Also, is it just as safe to launch the clean install over D: from
|>> within windows or would you recommend booting from the DVD?
|>>
|>> How about 64bit (I'm also thinking of a triple-boot with another hard
|>> drive - XP, Vista 32bit, Vista 64bit)? It should be the same with 32bit
|>> but has anyone encountered anything different?
|>>
|>> I'm using Vista Business btw.
|>>
|>>
|>> --
|>> HeatSurge
|>> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
|>> HeatSurge's Profile:
http://www.vista64.net/forums/member.php?userid=2384
|>> View this thread: http://www.vista64.net/forums/showthread.php?t=55272
|>>
|>
|>
|>

Hello,
Setup doesn't delete files and folders from a drive unless the user selects
to delete those files and folders.
If it finds a prior OS on that drive it will create a \windows.old and move
those that operating system files to that folder
Of course if as a user you choose to format or repartition during setup,
that would remove files or folders.
Of course anytime you run setup as a best practice it's usually good to
have a backup of your data files.
Thanks,
Darrell Gorter[MSFT]

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights
--------------------
|>From: HeatSurge <HeatSurge.2osrqh@no-mx.forums.net>
|>Subject: Re: Windows Vista Install without erasing partition.
|>Date: Mon, 9 Apr 2007 18:52:25 -0500
|>Message-ID: <HeatSurge.2osrqh@no-mx.forums.net>
|>Organization: Forums
|>User-Agent: vBulletin USENET gateway
|>X-Newsreader: vBulletin USENET gateway
|>X-Originating-IP: 67.169.252.253
|>References: <HeatSurge.2osks8@no-mx.forums.net>
<#mW7UZveHHA.5052@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl>
|>Newsgroups: microsoft.public.windows.vista.general
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|>Path: TK2MSFTNGHUB02.phx.gbl!TK2MSFTNGP01.phx.gbl!TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl
|>Xref: TK2MSFTNGHUB02.phx.gbl microsoft.public.windows.vista.general:80564
|>X-Tomcat-NG: microsoft.public.windows.vista.general
|>
|>
Bill: Yes, I know... and it's happened in the past (partially). I'm
just too lazy I guess, but I'll back everything up eventually. Backups
are good I know, but we digress.

Andre: Sad to hear. Can someone else please confirm that windows vista
will wipe the partition clean if you just select an already formatted
NTFS physical partition with stuff on it and do NOT format it in the
setup (I don't know if this is an option as I haven't installed yet,
but I assume it is)?

WTF did they have to do this when XP installs fine on FAT32 and NTFS
space without any adverse effects?! Gah.


--
HeatSurge
------------------------------------------------------------------------
HeatSurge's Profile: http://www.vista64.net/forums/member.php?userid=2384
View this thread: http://www.vista64.net/forums/showthread.php?t=55272

|>

Thanks for the information Darrell.
--
Andre
Blog: http://adacosta.spaces.live.com
My Vista Quickstart Guide:
http://adacosta.spaces.live.com/blog...3DB!9709.entry
""Darrell Gorter[MSFT]"" <Darrellg@online.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:17z8DUweHHA.4368@TK2MSFTNGHUB02.phx.gbl...
> Hello Andre
> While a backup is always recommended when running setup as safety
> precaution, setup should not delete the files and folder on a drive unless
> the user selects to do so.
> If we find an existing copy of Windows, we backup that folder into
> Windows.old.
> If you do not format or partition the drive, the data should remain
> intact.
> There are certain folders that should not exist that may be renamed or
> block setup such as:
> \windows
> \winnt
> \program files
> \Users
> \Documents and Settings
> Thanks,
> Darrell Gorter[MSFT]
>
> This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights
> --------------------
> |>From: "Andre Da Costa[ActiveWin]" <andred25@hotmail.com>
> |>References: <HeatSurge.2osks8@no-mx.forums.net>
> |>Subject: Re: Windows Vista Install without erasing partition.
> |>Date: Mon, 9 Apr 2007 17:27:11 -0500
> |>Lines: 53
> |>X-Priority: 3
> |>X-MSMail-Priority: Normal
> |>X-Newsreader: Microsoft Outlook Express 6.00.3790.2826
> |>X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.00.3790.2826
> |>X-RFC2646: Format=Flowed; Original
> |>Message-ID: <#mW7UZveHHA.5052@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl>
> |>Newsgroups: microsoft.public.windows.vista.general
> |>NNTP-Posting-Host: 208.131.186.18
> |>Path: TK2MSFTNGHUB02.phx.gbl!TK2MSFTNGP01.phx.gbl!TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl
> |>Xref: TK2MSFTNGHUB02.phx.gbl
> microsoft.public.windows.vista.general:80497
> |>X-Tomcat-NG: microsoft.public.windows.vista.general
> |>
> |>You will need to backup that data on the D: drive. When you launch Vista
> |>setup, you will be given the option to select drive/partition on which
> you
> |>would like to install Vista on. Vista's setup will delete the contents
> of
> |>that partition/drive if data is on it. Vista x64 requires a clean
> |>installation.
> |>--
> |> Andre
> |>Blog: http://adacosta.spaces.live.com
> |>My Vista Quickstart Guide:
> |>http://adacosta.spaces.live.com/blog...3DB!9709.entry
> |>"HeatSurge" <HeatSurge.2osks8@no-mx.forums.net> wrote in message
> |>news:HeatSurge.2osks8@no-mx.forums.net...
> |>>
> |>> Hi Everyone,
> |>>
> |>> I've been looking all over the net and on the forums here and I can't
> |>> find a definitive answer to my question, so here goes:
> |>>
> |>> Can I safely perform a clean install of Windows Vista on my Secondary
> |>> Hard Drive (D without erasing the folder structure there for a
> |>> dual-boot with an XP 32bit which is currently on C:? I have program
> |>> installations, some music etc. stored on D: and I don't have the space
> |>> on C: to move them there to completely erase or format D:.
> |>>
> |>> I know for a fact that I can do this with an XP installation (because
> |>> I've done it before) - I just told it to install to the formatted
> |>> partition and it just created the necessary files in the root
> directory
> |>> and the \documents and settings\ and \windows\ subdirs.
> |>>
> |>> I really hope windows vista 32bit can do the same. Can someone who has
> |>> done this or knows for a fact confirm that if I just tell it to
> install
> |>> to a formatted partition it will only create the new folders (windows\
> |>> and users\ from what I've seen elsewhere) without erasing anything
> |>> else?
> |>>
> |>> Also, is it just as safe to launch the clean install over D: from
> |>> within windows or would you recommend booting from the DVD?
> |>>
> |>> How about 64bit (I'm also thinking of a triple-boot with another hard
> |>> drive - XP, Vista 32bit, Vista 64bit)? It should be the same with
> 32bit
> |>> but has anyone encountered anything different?
> |>>
> |>> I'm using Vista Business btw.
> |>>
> |>>
> |>> --
> |>> HeatSurge
> |>> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> |>> HeatSurge's Profile:
> http://www.vista64.net/forums/member.php?userid=2384
> |>> View this thread: http://www.vista64.net/forums/showthread.php?t=55272
> |>>
> |>
> |>
> |>
>

According Darrell yes, since it moves your files and folders to a location
called Windows.old. So no residue is left on the drive mixed up with Windows
Vista's files.
--
Andre
Blog: http://adacosta.spaces.live.com
My Vista Quickstart Guide:
http://adacosta.spaces.live.com/blog...3DB!9709.entry
"HeatSurge" <HeatSurge.2ossfj@no-mx.forums.net> wrote in message
news:HeatSurge.2ossfj@no-mx.forums.net...
>
> Umm... yeah, I can do that, but that's not the issue.
>
> The issue is "Can I safely perform a clean install (i.e. not upgrade
> from XP)... without erasing the folder structure/files on D:"?
>
>
> --
> HeatSurge
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> HeatSurge's Profile: http://www.vista64.net/forums/member.php?userid=2384
> View this thread: http://www.vista64.net/forums/showthread.php?t=55272
>