step by step fresh install of windows?

[crabcakes]

Not sure if this has already been done on Tekzilla for a fresh install of Vista or 7beta, but it would be nice if there was a step by step walk-through for people like me who have never done this when Windows 7 comes out. It may be too simple for Systm, so it seems like it would work well on Tekzilla.

[computoman]

A lot will depend on where you want to install it from such as cdrom, a network share, files copied locally to the usb or a hard drive, or pxeboot install. Where do you want to install it to? Fixed drive (usb, ssd, or hard), network share (standard, iscsi, or aoe), or dual boot (primary or secondary) drive.

[subwayfox]

First step > Back up everything.

[computoman]

Yes, backup first!!!!!!! I have fudged my set of machines when I was in a hurry installing an os and forfot to back up my data. I am ususally more careful with user machines.

I usually wait till sp1 before installing an ms os except for just playing with it. The initial install is not that bad. It is all the tweaking and adding software that makes things a chore somethimes. Sometimes you install an os twice with a new version because you may not be sure of what to expect. The second time, you get a little more exacting on the settings.... With the latest msos, you should be able to boot from cd and go right into the install.

Good luck.

[soccy]

First step > Back up everything.

An alternative to that is to have another main hard drive.
while the computer is shutoff, just swap the drive....
Okay before everyone jumps in ...

its a little expensive, and probably only works for Laptop users who have HDDs that are easy to swap out.