Win7 RC installation and Partitions

[action]

I would like to be able to install the Windows 7 Ultimate RC Edition on my Vista Basic laptop. But I have my complete music library on another partition of my harddrive, and it would be a pain to back it up.
Is there a way to install the RC without wiping my DATA partition?

Please help,
-abreaction

 

[Tdata]

As far as I know, you don't need to repartition your HDD when you install W7. At least I didn't. The only reason I can see it being needed is if the partition you are installing to is too small... Or are you talking a Virtual Partition, IE a software partition...

 

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No, just a normal NTFS drive. It came with my laptop when bought it. So I didn't make it myself.

I'm now looking to buy Win7, and upgrade. I'm guessing the effect won't differ. But is there a way to in-place install using a DVD and my current OS drive, without losing ANY data? On either drives?

Thanks in advance,
-abreaction

 

[Tdata]

Oh, you should be able to Upgrade your version of Windows. There should be an option to do that when you install it.

 

[action]

Not in Vista Basic. That's not an option.
There is the way of upgrading to Home Premium, paying $200 and then getting a $100 os for free.
But, no, I don't want to do that.

I'm not sure about the in-place install anymore, though...