Advice on getting shop to install Win 7 after xp

Hi, I am technically challened, lol, and to save time and aggravation I'd like to take my PC in and get it installed by a pro. Same time I'm going to get some ques answered and perhaps more work done, but primarily I want Wind 7 now that XP is unsupported. Win 8 would require a new pc and that's too early for me. I have a recommended shop I'm going to use, not a big box store type.

Are there ques I should ask, advice on best win 7 version, etc. ?
Also, going to get them to back up my pc files and not sure what that will entail.geez

Well, please help a non-techie and reap my undying love. Thanks ahead of time.

Windows 7 Home Premium should be just fine. It's all 90 plus percent of people would ever want.

If you have old hardware and no more than 4 GB of RAM, you'd probably want the 32-bit version, but your hardware may possibly support 64-bit. Your system specifications don't give enough detail to know.

I'd be sure to find out what type of Windows license I was buying--OEM or retail. Either would work. OEM would probably be cheaper, but could not later be transferred to another PC if you were to buy another PC. On the other hand, any new PC you buy would probably already have Windows on it.

I'd certainly try to walk out of the store with a Windows installation disc as well as the Product Key for it.

Your existing data needs to be backed up before the upgrading process begins. Be sure to mention that to the shop, but I'd also probably back it up myself before I ever went to the shop if possible.

To see whether a computer running Windows XP is capable of running a 64-bit version of Windows, do the following:

Click Start.

Right-click My Computer, and then click Properties.

If "x64 Edition" is listed under System, your processor is capable of running a 64-bit version of Windows.

If you don't see "x64 Edition" listed, your processor still might be capable of running a 64-bit version of Windows. To find out for sure, download and run the free Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor from the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor webpage, here:

http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/downl...ils.aspx?id=20

I'd certainly try to walk out of the store with a Windows installation disc as well as the Product Key for it.

SIW2 said:

I'd certainly try to walk out of the store with a Windows installation disc as well as the Product Key for it.

If you don't want to pay the ridiculous prices for installing the OS, we can help you do a perfect Clean Install Windows 7.

You can pick up an $89 Home Premium OEM copy from Tiger Direct store or online.

Back up your files to external drive or DVD, boot the disk: How to Boot A Computer from CD or DVD - YouTube

During Steps 7 and 8 of Clean Install Windows 7 use the Drive Options to delete all partitions except the small OEM Tools partition which contains the bootable Diagnostics which can be run by tapping the F12 key at boot. If they run now, then they should still run after the install, and are handy to have in case you suspect hardware is failing and need to test it.

Create and Format New partition for install using the same Drive Options shown. Click Next to install.

Have your Dell wireless or ethernet (wired) driver in your backup so if Win7 installer doesn't provide it you can install it to connect to your network, enable Automatically deliver drivers via Windows Update (Step 3), then Check for Updates, install all Important and Optional Updates, with requested reboots, until there are no more offered when you Check for Updates.

Type Device Manager in the Start button Search box, look for any missing drivers signified by a yellow ! mark on the device. You can import these from the Dell Support Downloads webpage for your Service Tag number. We can help you find them if in doubt.

In addition read over these steps while compile everything that works best for Win7 installs: Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7. Ask back any questions in advance and as you go along. We will help you achieve a perfect install, just as we have for millions of others.

OOOPS. WHen I go to Properties, it's not listed, at least it doesn't say 64 or 32 anywhere. Then when I downloaded the Upgrade advisor, it won't let me open/run it. The file is in my Documents, when I rt/left click, it will not open. When I am shown the "my downloads" , I clicked the "open" box on right and a box comes up with only two choices:
"repair" or "remove". I'm trying, not as lame at this as it seems, but can't get his to run. Is it because xp is not supported??

With only 3gb RAM I would install 32 bit for best performance. If you plan to upgrade your RAM above 4gb then use 64 bit.

Download again the Download Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor from Official Microsoft Download Center.
Double click on its .exe to run it.

debnova said:

OOOPS. WHen I go to Properties, it's not listed, at least it doesn't say 64 or 32 anywhere. Then when I downloaded the Upgrade advisor, it won't let me open/run it. The file is in my Documents, when I rt/left click, it will not open. When I am shown the "my downloads" , I clicked the "open" box on right and a box comes up with only two choices:
"repair" or "remove". I'm trying, not as lame at this as it seems, but can't get his to run. Is it because xp is not supported??

Is this the file you downloaded:

Windows7UpgradeAdvisorSetup.exe

??

I just downloaded it and ran it. You should see a "checking compatibility" window, followed by an on-screen report telling you the results. Might take a couple of minutes to complete.

Posted to quick. I found the icon on my desk top and got it to run there.

There ought to be a new term for "technically challenged", or newbie. It should be "dumber than dirt" or DTD. lol
Going to take the advice, mull it over and see what I'm going to do. I will return when I've made some progress, but
THANKS TO ALL WHO HAVE and WILL post - yall are a great help and I do eventually learn something. :)