Quick question

[Llamanator]

Hey, i want to install Windows 7 on my computer, im just wondering if I install it would it delete all the data on my harddrive?  or does it not delete my harddrive.  Thx!

[JJ 3000]

it deletes

[Broni]

It depends.
If you upgrade from Vista, your files should be fine.
If you go for clean install (always recommended), everything will be gone.

[bobsmithmoodeyit]

I recommend you backup your harddrive and do a clean install.

[Bromide]

To be clear about what gets deleted, a clean installation will erase the partition that is selected for the OS. Any other partitions [recovery, data, etc.] should be OK unless they are specifically selected to be deleted during installation.
Of course, many hard drives have only one partition.
Backup anything you want to keep.

[Quantos]

I agree with the previous couple of posts.

You should ALWAYS back up anything that is important, especially when you start installing a new OS.

[Geek-9pm]

I agree with the previous couple of posts.
You should ALWAYS back up anything that is important, especially when you start installing a new OS.

Yes.
In VISTA you can move the partition size to create enough free space for Windows 7.
Next boot from Windows 7 DVD and do a a new install in the free space.

[Llamanator]

huh?  Ok cuz my computer caught a virus, so it doesnt even boot up.  It says some stuff about a deleted registry file when i try to boot it up.  So yeah

So how would i install windows 7 without losing my data?  I create another partition?

[JJ 3000]

You could possibly repair the vista installation. Why do you want to install 7?

[Llamanator]

Yeah i dont have a CD of Vista right, so i figured i might as well put 7 on it.  cuz i hear that 7 runs much more smoothly than vista and doesnt have a *censored* load of bugs and problems like vista.

[JJ 3000]

Well in order to save your data you would have to slave your hard drive in another computer and copy all of the files to a flash drive or CDs.

How far do you get in the Vista boot process before it stops?

[Llamanator]

i get to the part where after it asks me if i want to boot Vista in safe mode, or last know configuration, or run it normally.  I tried all of the options, but everytime after that is says the same thing about missing a registry file.

Like really, the only thing that I really wanna back up is my music cuz it takes forever to find all 3000 of my songs again. 

[patio]

Slave Drive Tutorial.

[Llamanator]

yeeeeaah...... Is it possible to fix Vista without deleting my hard drive? 

The problem literally states:

"File: \windows\system32\config\system

Status: 0xc000000f

Info: windows failed to load because the system registry file is missing, or corrupt."

hoooooow??   

[Geek-9pm]

Do like Patio says. 
Before doing anything more, save your data.