SOS for OS upgrade

freefall · 27 Sep 2016

Greetings...
I would like to try and do something I have never done before, and could sure use some support and guidance. I would like to upgrade my factory installed Vista to Windows Seven. I plan to purchase a new, complete, retail copy of a 32 bit W7 program on Ebay with the product key, to install in my Dell Dimension E521.
My plans are to save all important files onto a CD Rom prior to doing anything else.
Here is what I am unsure of:
Do I remove all Vista programs from my computer before I install, or will the new program do that for me?
Do I need any addition software or drivers to install W7?
Is there anything I need to know/do before I try this, other than what I have already mentioned?
I will greatly appreciate any and all input.
Dan

ThrashZone · 27 Sep 2016

Hi and welcome to SevenForums,
Good luck with ebay :)
Best to just get a tried and true system builder from Newegg.com
Microsoft Windows 7 Professional SP1 64-bit - Operating Systems - Newegg.com

AddRAM · 27 Sep 2016

You will never find a legitimate Retail copy of Windows 7 on Ebay, no matter what anyone tells you. You will get ripped off

I would not use Ebay, buy it from Newegg, as Mike has already suggested.

You shouldn`t need any drivers during the install, but get the network drivers now, so you can install them and get online.

Just go to Dell and punch in your model. See if the have drivers for Windows 7. Dells are a PITA.

You don`t have to remove anything, just delete all partitions when you install W7, then just click next.

Or if you want you can create a partition to install windows on.

What is the size of the drive you intend to use ?

Clean Install Windows 7

In my opinion a Partition Wizard Boot CD is the best tool you can use to setup your drive.

https://www.partitionwizard.com/part...otable-cd.html

freefall · 27 Sep 2016

TrashZone, thanks for the quick reply.

I'm sensing Ebay is not the place to shop for programs.

As you can probably tell I'm new to upgrades, having blissfully used my Vista for many years. I've been shopping around and find I'm more than a bit confused as to what to buy and why. Having been recently disabled I'm currently on tight budget and hoping to save as much as I can on this.

This system builder you speak of, is it everything I might need to do an install and upgrade?

No sarcasm intended, I'm really starting out on this clueless.

AddRAM · 27 Sep 2016

You are not gonna do an upgrade, you are gonna do a clean install.

You want to get rid of every trace of Vista.

Clean Install Windows 7

freefall · 27 Sep 2016

AddRAM, thank you for the warning. Any thoughts I had about Ebay are now gone.

I'm not sure what a partition is. Would New Egg offer a Partition Wizard Boot CD?

ThrashZone · 27 Sep 2016

Hi,
yes Newegg will mail you a dvd and a activation key and is about all you need to install win-7.

You will need to transfer your personal files = not programs.. to another hard drive before installing win-7
Or you can buy a new hard drive or solid state drive and install 7 on it and keep the old hard drive and transfer the files to it after.

freefall · 27 Sep 2016

Thank you TrashZone and AddRam for the links, tips and valuable guidance.

I will follow your generous advice and update you on how it goes.

ThrashZone · 27 Sep 2016

Hi,
If you buy a new hard drive or solid state drive there is no reason to not keep your current Vista intact and dual boot both installs :)
Albeit Vista is a bit out of date security wise it is still an option to dual boot since win-7 has a totally separate activation key

I use one of these to swap out 2.5" hard drives or solid state drives after shutting down my system :)
It's great to have
Amazon.com: Vantec 2.5-Inch Dual Bay Trayless SATA III - 6G Mobile Rack (MRK-225S6-BK): Computers & Accessories

ThrashZone · 27 Sep 2016

Hi,
Here it is installed