Advice on getting shop to install Win 7 after xp

[debnova]

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.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

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/download/details.aspx?id=20

 

[SIW2]

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

 

[theog]

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

 

[gregrocker]

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.


http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/219487-clean-reinstall-factory-oem-windows-7-a.html#post1839164

 

[debnova]

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??

 

[gregrocker]

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.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

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.

 

[debnova]

Ok, found how to open advisor

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

 

[debnova]

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.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

What were the results shown by the Upgrade Advisor??

Does your processor support 64-bit??

 

[debnova]

Have 32

I had a LOT of possible upgrades, new drivers, etc I'd need to do for 32, less for 64. There were 16 pages! :shock:

 

[ignatzatsonic]

The drivers will be supplied for the most part by Windows 7.

The more important point, which you haven't answered, is whether your processor supports 64-bit.

If it does NOT, you are forced to go with Windows 7 32-bit.

 

[debnova]

Advisor says

Looks like I can do either 32 or 64. The 32 bit had 16 pages of upgrades, drivers, etc that I'd need.:shock:
The 64 had less to "change". I have 266.5 GB of free space on C drive. Advisor says I have 2.0 GB of Ram. When/if I get 64 bit, should I increase Ram?

 

[ignatzatsonic]

see comments in bold

Looks like I can do either 32 or 64.

What specifically makes you think your processor will support 64-bit Windows?

What processor do you have?




The 32 bit had 16 pages of upgrades, drivers, etc that I'd need.:shock:
The 64 had less to "change". I have 266.5 GB of free space on C drive. Advisor says I have 2.0 GB of Ram. When/if I get 64 bit, should I increase Ram?

2 GB of RAM is about the minimum acceptable for Windows 7, although it will run with less.

There is no point in you even thinking about 64-bit until and unless you specifically know that your hardware supports 64-bit. We don't know yet as you haven't given us any detail about that Upgrade Advisor you ran.

Depending on what you do with your PC, you might benefit from moving up to 4 GB of RAM. But 32-bit Windows will only be able to use up to about 3.5 out of the 4, while 64-bit could use all of the 4 and even more.

 

[debnova]

Igna -

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.

I have to go. I will return to forum later. GOSH, yall have been super and I will continue to use this forum to navigate me thru Win 7. I opted for 7 cause win 8 was just too advanced for my computer and it's not that old. sigh. Love you guys !

 

[debnova]

Igna -

WHen you say "hardware", are you referring to printers, screen, etc.?? The advisor was 16 pages for 32 bit, but I did post that the Advisor said " your hard disk meets the min. requirement for 16 GB free space for 32 bit windows" . Same statement on the 64 bit advisor pages. Is that what you needed?
I have the "specifications" listed for my Dell xp410 cpu. Here are some facts:
512 MB or 1GB Memory capacity
Max memory - 4GB
Intell Pent 4 Intel Pent D Intel Core 2 duo Level 2 (1.2) Cache

Hope that is enough info. Sorry my knowledge isn't better. But the Advisor SEEMED to say I had enough for 32 or 64. And there were only 4 pages of "updates", etc for 64 bit. 32 bit had 16 pages of advisor
needs. ### I have to leave right now, will log in later. THANKS

 

[gregrocker]

You would want 32 bit for 4 gb RAM or less for best performance. Even on 4 gb RAM all of it is used when you include hardware apportionment.

Did you see the steps I outlined for doing it yourself?

 

[gregrocker]

You would want 32 bit for 4 gb RAM or less for best performance. Even on 4 gb RAM all of it is used when you include hardware apportionment.

Did you see the steps I outlined for doing it yourself?

 

[ignatzatsonic]

WHen you say "hardware", are you referring to printers, screen, etc.??


Intell Pent 4 Intel Pent D Intel Core 2 duo Level 2 (1.2) Cache

No, I was referring to the stuff inside the case----CPU and motherboard.

I think that processor is 64-bit capable, but as Greg says, there's no point in you using the 64-bit version of Windows on that motherboard.

Your particular motherboard is limited to 4 GB of RAM, maximum. A primary reason to use 64-bit Windows would be to use more than 4 GB of RAM---which you can't do with that motherboard.

So stick with 32-bit Windows. All of your programs should work fine and you probably wouldn't know the difference even if you did use 64-bit Windows 7.

You may or may not notice any difference if you moved from 2 GB of RAM to 4 GB. It would not be a major improvement and I generally wouldn't encourage anyone to invest money in adding RAM to a PC that old---it's from around 2005-2007. Better to save your money and spend it on an entirely new machine when you get the urge.