I got a free upgrade for windows 7 for my mom's laptop but it wont install
it gets past the checking step and then restarts and says its reverting back to vista but it doesnt say exactly why
when i got my laptop's free upgrade from hp it took a couple of hours but it installed perfectly and i didnt need to backup my files so wtf is wrong with acer?
Your best bet is a clean install booting from the Windows 7 DVD included, the disk with the official MS license sticker giving the Product Key. Plug in ethernet, Select "Connect to the Internet during Install" to get the latest drivers/Updates during install, then Custom, then Advanced drive tools to format the HD and install.
Of course, you always need to back up files (ask your Mom which) when installing/Upgrading, and gather program installers/disks ahead of time because you will need to reinstall programs.
Afterwards, you can install anything else needed from the apps/drivers CD included, however the Win7 DVD is pretty much driver-complete and newer drivers come in on Windows Updates.
Your problem sounds like a failing In-Place Upgrade, which is not a clean install and carries over corruption from Vista. It may be the machine is doing you a favor by refusing to in-place Upgrade. A clean install is always better.
Try following these directions posted by Kari: A simple guide to a successful in-place upgrade
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