Windows 7: Windows Vista™ Ultimate cannot be upgraded to Windows 7 Home Premium.

I received this message:
Windows Vista™ Ultimate cannot be upgraded to Windows 7 Home Premium. You can choose to install a new copy of Windows 7 Home Premium instead, but this is different from an upgrade, and does not keep your files, settings, and programs. You’ll need to reinstall any programs using the original installation discs or files. To save your files before installing Windows, back them up to an external location such as a CD, DVD, or external hard drive. To install a new copy of Windows 7 Home Premium, click the Back button in the upper left-hand corner, and select “Custom (advanced)”.

The problem is my laptop is 3 years old - it came with preinstalled programs so I have no discs and no recovery discs either. I tried to create recovery discs and the one shot was already run so it won't let me. This was supposed to be a new computer when I bought it. I did back up my files to an external drive. So what do I do now? And do I need to get a different version of windows 7?

What is the exact problem causing you to want to do this?

You might be able to Run HP Factory Recovery by tapping the F11 key at bootup. This will return the computer to factory condition. http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/d...name=c01895783

You need to backup your files first, or if you cannot boot your computer we can help you copy your files out using the Repair Disk you can download to burn from here: System Repair Disc - Create

If Recovery doesn't work or you prefer to clean reinstall, then you can unlock all versions in the Home Premium DVD to install your licensed version of Windows 7, using the Product Key on the COA sticker on machine. Use ImgBurn to extract the ISO image file from DVD then follow the steps here: Windows 7 Universal Installation Disc - Create
Clean Install Windows 7

Let us know more about what is wrong and exactly what you would like to accomplish and we'll give you more steps.

Thanks for the reply - My computer died 3 weeks ago - fried mother board, wireless and fan. I just got it back and was sold Windows 7 home premium as an OS upgrade. I want to go from Vista to Windows 7 and would like to do a clean install but don't have any of the program files for this laptop, they were pre-installed. If this doesn't work and I loose my operating system I don't have any recovery discs either. I have never done an OS change out before so I'm looking for some assistance.

There is no in-place Upgrade path from Vista Ultimate to Windows 7 Premium. Do you have a Windows 7 Home Premium retail Upgrade version?

If you must in-place upgrade you can try to exchange Premium for Ultimate, or there is a workaround to unlock all versions in your DVD, upgrade from Vista ultimate to Windows 7 Ultimate, then change from Windows 7 Ultimate to Home Premium. You would adapt this method:
http://tech.icrontic.com/articles/up...7-rc-to-retail Set a restore point and back up your files.

If you had the Recovery Disks then you could extract the HP software you want to use after a clean install of Windows 7 using this video tutorial: HP 3rd Party Software After Clean Win 7 Install

What are the exact programs you would need to do a clean install of Windows 7, because they may be available on the web. You can get all of your installed license keys by running Belarc Advisor: Attachment 100390

Then you could wipe the HD and clean install Windows 7 using the Product key on COA sticker.

The installer is mostly driver-complete, with newer arriving quickly via optional Windows Updates. Any drivers then missing in Device Manager can be found on the Support Downloads webpage for your model computer or device.

Install updates and then programs slowly over time to gauge performance after each. Don't let any programs write themselves into msconfig>Startup as they become freeloaders on your RAM/CPU and can spy on you. I only allow AV and gadgets. http://www.sevenforums.com/crashes-d...-msconfig.html

Use a lightweight free AV like MS Security Essentials which works perfectly with Windows 7 Firewall. http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/

When it is finished, clean and order the HD perfectly using state-of-the-art free CCleaner then Auslogics Disk and Registry defraggers monthly.

Then save a Windows 7 Backup image externally so you never have to reinstall again, just reimage the HD or replacement using DVD or Repair CD. Backup Complete Computer - Create an Image Backup

Study this carefully, ask any questions and we will give you further steps if needed.

Thanks once again for all of this information but I'm thinking this is way too much to tackle for an uncertain out come and I can't be without my computer for another month. I'm going to think long an hard about the value of doing this upgrade. I had no idea it would be this complicated. Again THANKS!

You can save a System Image using free Macrium Reflect so that whatever you decide to try you have a path back to where you are now. http://download.cnet.com/Macrium-Ref...=dl&tag=button

We can also help you with the steps and any problems which arise.

Most of what I posted was to clue you to doing the best clean install on a factory rig, for when you are ready.