Windows 7: New Hard drive, same prod. key, no system image, no install disk?!

You may have to do a couple of updates before it gets all the correct drivers, unless you look for them individually.

Make an image backup before you transfer all yor data & files, etc.

I'm installing all 43 important/recommended updates now, and I'll do a Backup and Image before and after trasferring my data from the external to the new hard drive.

Windows 7 "n" edition explained

Windows 7 N: The 'N' editions explained | Crave | CNET UK

Thanks Doc. Very Informative.

Although, I simply do understand the entire competiveness/fairness aspect.

Its bundled, but you still have the freedom to choose any 3rd party software you choose.

Without it, you have no choice & are "forced" to find an alternative?


I do not get it.

The drivers will be cued in Optional Windows Updates. You likely have a Display Driver waiting there which after install will give you better screen resolution by rightclicking desktop.

Do yourself a favor and use a lightweight free AV solution which won't bog Windows 7 like MS Security Essentials or Avast 5.

Install programs slowly over time to gauge performance changes. Don't let any programs write themselves into msconfig>Startup list except AV and gadgets as they become freeloaders on your CPU/RAM and can spy on you.

When it is all set up as you like, clean and order the HD perfectly using state-of-the-art free CCleaner and Auslogics Disk and Registry defraggers. Then save a Windows 7 backup image so you never have to reinstall again.

UPDATE:

I finally completed all the Windows 7 Updates, and did a backup/system image of just the updated Windows 7 hard drive. Then, I added all my data and programs (including Symantec Endpoint for my antivirus) and did a backup/system image of that.

So, thanks to you guys, everything seems to be back to normal or better (faster).

A few questions:

1.) Haven't done disk cleanup/defrag/whatever yet. gregrocker suggested "CCleaner and Auslogics Disk and Registry defraggers." Should I NOT use the regular Windows disk de-fragger? What about the error-checker?

2.) Windows recognizes my touchpad as a regular mouse, and while the blue keyboard stick thing works, I can't find the settings to turn it off - how do I turn it off?

3.) Should I create a new system repair disk, or should the one I made before on the old hard drive work fine? I have plenty of disks, but I don't to waste one if I don't have to.

4.) When doing Backup and Restore, is "letting Windows decide" what to backup what I should choose, or does it not choose enough?

5.) What should my User Account Control settings be?

EDIT: The following has been solved, (I needed to install the Windows Media Pack for Windows N, which doesn't show up on Windows Update. Arrrrgh...)

HOWEVER, if anyone can help answer my questions in the post right above this one, I'd really appreciate it!

OK, now I have more problems:

I've tried to install my camera (Canon PowerShot SD1100 IS) on the new hard drive. I successfully installed it on the old harddrive and worked fine once I updated the software.

I've installed the CD software, downloaded the software updater, and restarted my pc. HOWEVER, the pc STILL can't find the driver.

I've called the people at CANON, and did the following "fixes":
1.) plugged it into another usb port
2.) gone into SERVICES.MSC and turned on SSDP Discovery
3.) turned WIA on and changed it from MANUAL to AUTOMATIC

NONE OF THAT WORKED.

Then, we tried to open windows live photo gallery (which I downloaded and installed as a Win7N update) and it wouldn't open.

Just to check, I tried opening Windows Live Movie Maker and got AN ERROR MESSAGE saying that WMVCORE.dll is missing.

HELP!!!!!!!!!!