[SOLVED] Laptop Installation

I have a laptop with Vista already installed upon it. I would like to install Windows 7, not upgrade, and I would like to know what differences I may encounter between installing on a laptop compared to installing on a desktop. For instance, with a desktop there is no partition for a backup of the OS unlike my laptop. I downloaded the Windows 7 advisor and it shows no issues other than with some of the Toshiba laptop programs already installed. If I do install Windows 7, do I have to wipe the drive clean first? and does the new OS automatically install the backup partition? Not that I need it as I tend to use Acronis True Image as my only backup.

I would be grateful for all advice given

First off the differences i think your talking about would depend on system specs, to run win7 you need at least 2GB Ram to start.

your best bet is to do a clean install of windows 7, and yes it automatically makes a partition 'backup' you should delete your OS drive via install of windows 7

for a more detailed look into installing windows 7 see link;

How to Install Windows 7

You should take a look at this before installing windows 7 anyway;

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/e...1-2497c146af15

Thanks for the very fast response. I am very grateful to both of you. I have bookmarked the links you gave me and will study them later when I have more time on my hands. I'm glad I asked first though because my laptop only has 1 GB of memory.

sorry I should have said both replies

Windows 7 32Bit will run on 1gb of ram. 64bit will need 2 for minimum performance. But ram being so cheap, it is a good idea to install more.
It does not, to my knowledge, automatically create a backup partition. It will, quite soon after installation, create a backup file in a folder which, by default, it calls "recovery" -Perhaps that is what you are meaning? If you install, without removing the Vista installation first, it will save the whole thing in a folder called win.old. This can be used as a reminder of anything you had previously, needed, but overlooked. Up to a certain extent, some of this can be transferred to your new OS. (Private files..etc..) But, if you browse this site, or google, it does seem that installing over a previous (Vista) installation, can cause instability. I have not personally experienced it.
There is a comprehensive install tutorial on this site, if you feel the need.

Install tutorial for Windows 7

Thanks davehc, you worded it much nicer

Thanks, I was not thinking of installing the 64bit but I do think the extra GB of memory might help the laptop run a little faster. Nor am I thinking of keeping the Vista installation. The laptop did not come with an installation disc and I prefer doing a clean install when things go horribly wrong. I will look up the comprehensive install tutorial on this site that you mentioned but I do not imagine too many problems because I have been installing XP on my desktop years without any problems. I have just never installed an OS on a laptop before. Thanks again

Thanks Everyone. I have just purchased 2 GB of memory and Windows 7. Can't wait to install it.

Good deal! You'll find that the extra 2GB of RAM will definitely help out. It will make your Windows 7 installation run much smoother too.

Let us know how it all works out for you.