Question About Installing Windows 7 Over Vista

[Parkergk]

I have a Vista installation that is unfixable. I removed the hard drive and placed it in my main PC as a slave in an attempt to save the files on it, but, it won't show up, not even in Computer Management where I can import it. I can see it in the BIOS, but not once I boot..

Anyway, my question is, if I install windows 7 over the Vista install, will my files be saved in a windows.old folder?

Thanks

[Darkman]

Last time I checked Windows 7 WILL format the HDD even if it was formatted before installing so no.

[,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,]

Hmm, it may be worth a shit if you can't do anything else. I remember installing Windows 7 over top of Windowes 7 created an .old folder.

It should do the same for vista unless the drive is dead.

[Parkergk]

Last time I checked Windows 7 WILL format the HDD even if it was formatted before installing so no.

Hmm, it may be worth a shit if you can't do anything else. I remember installing Windows 7 over top of Windowes 7 created an .old folder.

It should do the same for vista unless the drive is dead.

Does Windows XP create one? Because I'd install whatever I could just to preserve the files.

[,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,]

Does Windows XP create one? Because I'd install whatever I could just to preserve the files.

 

I don't think Windows XP does, at least I don't remember. 

[dragoon20005]

have you try using the Windows Repair option?

 

I have used the Win 7 disc before to get my Vista OS working when it have the boot failure and the update loop issue.

 

worth the shot

 

or get the Ubuntu live CD to access the HDD

[Parkergk]

have you try using the Windows Repair option?

 

I have used the Win 7 disc before to get my Vista OS working when it have the boot failure and the update loop issue.

 

worth the shot

 

or get the Ubuntu live CD to access the HDD

 

Yeah I had tried everything, thankfully, I was able to copy off the important files using a Linux based ROM OS from Hirams Boot CD.

 

The drive showed extremely strange issues once I tried formatting it, repairing it, and installing Windows 7, which led me to believe that the drive either had a serious hardware issue, or the file system had been permanently corrupted..

 

Anyway, the customer and I decided to just save her pictures, etc., and she would just use a different computer she had. Though, I appreciate the help guys. 

 

 

By the way, I learned that Windows saving old files depends on what you choose during installation.

 -If you don't format, and choose Upgrade, your files are kept in place.

 -If you don't format and choose Custom, your files are moved to Windows.old folder.

 -If you do reformat, then obviously, your files are gone forever.

[legoset0]

Does Windows XP create one? Because I'd install whatever I could just to preserve the files.

I think it does, I once installed windows 7 on an xp laptop for someone. They asked where their files are and I told them in windows.old and I never heard anymore.