Windows 7 clean install, a good choice?

I'm buying a new laptop in the next month or so, or as soon as a decent coupon comes out. I really like what I've seen so far in regards to Windows 7, and don't want any of the preinstalled bloatware that'll come with the computer, so I'm wondering if it'd be a good idea to do a clean install of the RC once my computer gets here.

I understand it's not an official version, but I have a desktop that still serves as my main base of operations, an external hard drive, and other sources of backup for anything important. I'm also aware that I'll have to do a clean install once the full version comes out (and as such, won't be keeping my only copy of anything important on my laptop until then, even if I stick with Vista.)

So, is that reasonable/worth a try? Also, how would I go about doing that? Sorry if that's a noob question, I'm still learning!

If it matters, this'll be on an HP dv4t. I can give you the rest of the specs if that's relevant. It'll come with Vista 64-bit Home Premium by default. I don't really have any Vista experience, my desktop is still running XP and has for six years since I got it.

 

Trading a running OS with a RC version on a new comp? I would not.

cheers ...

 

Yup. I don't see why not? Worst case scenario, you do another format and install Vista. Before you do the format, make a backup DVD of your current setup, the HP software will guide you through it...

Here is a great guide to install Windows 7, you can always do a dual boot setup also, this guide tells you how...

Good luck.

 

Under normal circumstances I would wholeheartedly agree but in this case I think it wouldn't be a bad idea. He's got everything backed up and this isn't his primary machine. And the RC this time around seems better (imo) than the running OS.

 

The best is to have a extra drives around with a clone of your setup. This way, you can test different things without having to worry about losing anything.

 

"Runs better" as in running the model with its special features et al better? Drivers are still in development mode for many devices.

I agree about the part of being "not the primary machine", but quite leery about using a brand new machine (and possibly 1st notebook) as such.

But if the OP is still keen about a W7 clean install, my recommendation is to buy a new drive and play on that. Store the original drive somewhere safe.

cheers ...

 

I installed the windows 7 RC on a partition on my dv4t and I have had zero problems. The only reason I'm not getting rid of vista partition is for when the RC expires, but I'll probably have purchased Windows 7 by then anyway.

 

Good point. I didn't think of his notebook's proprietary features (eg. finger print reader, webcam, multi-media controls, touchpad features etc...) that may or may not work properly in 7. Still worth trying though imo.

What I said earlier was because, at least for me on three machines, 7 definitively runs better than Vista and I never had any drivers not work in 7. But of course that's not to say that others will have the same fortunes.

 

Thanks guys! nu_D, that link was super helpful. ATC, what you're saying about the stability and compatibility is what I've been seeing all over the place, which is part of what led me to think this may be a good idea.

I'm curious, though- as long as I burn backup dvd's first, I can just reinstall Vista if something goes wrong with 7, correct? Or does it run any risk of physically damaging my drive?

Also, would you recommend going with a complete clean install or dual booting if I do go through with it? Is there an advantage, or is it just personal preference?

(By the way, I'm a she.)

 

You won't risk any damage to anything and yes, you'll be able to reinstall Vista as long as you first create the recovery disks (if you don't already have them).

As far as dual booting or not, it's purely ones preference I think. I never bothered with that myself but I can see the virtue in doing it if it was a production machine.

Sorry about the "he" reference. I'm getting too lazy to put 'he/she’ in my posts.

 

Thank you! As long as there's no permanent risk with the way I'm going about it, I think I'll go ahead and do that, then.

No problem! It's not like I put anything gender-definitive in my posts, haha.