I have the Windows 7 disk

[Doxielvr3]

I bought a new Compaq computer from Staples in August. I got my Windows 7 home premium 32 bit upgrade in the mail yesterday.

I ran a diagnostic tool that said that my printer which is an HP photosmart 8049 may not be compatible with Windows 7. It works fine in Vista.

Would I be making a mistake to upgrade with this computer seems ok with vista. Should I wait? How much better is this operating system than Vista anyway.

 

[mickey megabyte]

hi Doxielvr3 and welcome to sevenforums,

according to the hp driver downloads webpage, there is a printer driver available for both 32 and 64 bit flavours of windows 7.

happy printing

 

[Doxielvr3]

Ok I have more questions. I read where certain programs should be deleted before installing. Such as Adobe photoshop, Itunes, and so forth. Would you if you were me take this to staples and let them do the install or try it myself by following the instructions.

 

[Tews]

If you have never done a new OS install, I would suggest letting someone more experienced assist you..

 

[Doxielvr3]

Ok I will take it to staples. Is it that much better than vista?

 

[mickey megabyte]

i agree with Tews here, ...if it isn't too much hassle for you to take it to the shop, and if they don't charge you too much.

 

[mickey megabyte]

Ok I will take it to staples. Is it that much better than vista?

the simple answer is 'yes'.

 

[srq2625]

Ok I will take it to staples. Is it that much better than vista?

Opinions differ. I think it's head-and-shoulders above what is/was available in Vista. But, that's just me.

Oh, and as for Photoshop, you might want to consider deactivating and uninstalling it before you go to Staples and then re-installing/activating it when you get back home. Makes life a bit easier that way.

 

[MacGyvr]

Ok I will take it to staples. Is it that much better than vista?

Yes, it is that much better. But, I would have zero confidence in having this done at Staples, Best Buy, etc. One) They are going to charge you a bloody fortune. Two) Most likely it will be done by a 17 year old high-schooler who has no clue what he's doing.

Use the disk, follow the instructions....you should be fine, and use that money for something else.

 

[ken9122]

Ok I will take it to staples. Is it that much better than vista?

Use the disk, follow the instructions....you should be fine, and use that money for something else.

Couldn't agree more. And if you get into trouble we will be here. But.. backup every thing first.
Ken

 

[Doxielvr3]

Ok I will take it to staples. Is it that much better than vista?

Yes, it is that much better. But, I would have zero confidence in having this done at Staples, Best Buy, etc. One) They are going to charge you a bloody fortune. Two) Most likely it will be done by a 17 year old high-schooler who has no clue what he's doing.

Use the disk, follow the instructions....you should be fine, and use that money for something else.

It is free for me because of the maintenance plan I purchased and the fact that I just got this computer in August. I have been looking at the web and the disk that came with my upgrade from Compaq. I am concerned about a program I use often that I wouldn't work till I found a fix for it online. It is a recipe software program called Mastercook. I wish I knew that if a program works on Vista it pretty much will work on Windows 7. I probably can do this but it scares me since my computer is running pretty good. I wonder if I goof it up since I paid for the maintenance from Staples if I could just take it in to them then. I wish I could teleport one of you geeks to my house to do this for me. LOL

 

[harpua]

If it runs in Vista, odds are it will run OK in Win 7. Most Vista compatible apps work OK in Win 7, and, Win 7 has a Vista compatibility mode which helps too. There are relatively few Vista apps that don't work well in 7.

If you are computer illiterate and it won't cost you anything, you might as well let Staples do it, however, they probably won't get everything running perfectly. But the people here can probably help you correct any lingering issues that may remain after Win 7 is installed by Staples.

I think it is well worth doing, especially if it doesn't cost you any money.

 

[bobtran]

Ok I will take it to staples. Is it that much better than vista?

Yes, it is that much better. But, I would have zero confidence in having this done at Staples, Best Buy, etc. One) They are going to charge you a bloody fortune. Two) Most likely it will be done by a 17 year old high-schooler who has no clue what he's doing.

Use the disk, follow the instructions....you should be fine, and use that money for something else.

It is free for me because of the maintenance plan I purchased and the fact that I just got this computer in August. I have been looking at the web and the disk that came with my upgrade from Compaq. I am concerned about a program I use often that I wouldn't work till I found a fix for it online. It is a recipe software program called Mastercook. I wish I knew that if a program works on Vista it pretty much will work on Windows 7. I probably can do this but it scares me since my computer is running pretty good. I wonder if I goof it up since I paid for the maintenance from Staples if I could just take it in to them then. I wish I could teleport one of you geeks to my house to do this for me. LOL

Sounds like a good idea but, Ask questions before you let them re-work your PC. A lot of times they don't reinstall the apps. Also ask if they are going to do an in-place upgrade or a clean upgrade (Clean is highly recommended but requires reinstalling your apps). If they only do an in-place upgrade I would re-think having them do it and maybe do it with the help of the people here on Seven Forums.

If you decide to make a go of installing yourself there is a very good guide to upgrading posted here in the Seven Forums Tutorials thread by our good friend Brink:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/31402-clean-install-upgrade-windows-7-version.html

 

[Doxielvr3]

Ok dumb question. What is this feature I read about called XP mode. Is that in only certain windows 7 programs.

I have home premium upgrade from vista. Does this one have the XP mode thing?

 

[BeechV35Pilot]

Ok dumb question. What is this feature I read about called XP mode. Is that in only certain windows 7 programs.

It is a virtual XP environment that, on the surface, is launched like any other program within Windows7. Once inside that Win XP environment, you can run applications and, perhaps, hardware that is not at all compatible with Win7.

I have home premium upgrade from vista. Does this one have the XP mode thing?

No, only Windows 7 Professional and Ultimate have this feature.

 

[Doxielvr3]

OH well pooh on me not having the Xp thing!


Backed up my computer. Deleted all programs I think might not be compatible. So I am going to follow the instructions you posted. Thanks. Glad i have a laptop for back up

 

[Doxielvr3]

OK big problem. I upgraded it. But I have input signal out of range on the display of my monitor. It is a Hannspree and it is a newer digital monitor that I got in March. Help.

 

[bobkn]

OK big problem. I upgraded it. But I have input signal out of range on the display of my monitor. It is a Hannspree and it is a newer digital monitor that I got in March. Help.

Boot in Safe Mode (F8). Make sure that the display settings are within range for the monitor. Reboot.

Do you ahve the .inf file installed for the monitor?

I've read that there is some sort of glitch with Win7 properly detecting some digital monitors. (I think it's more of a problem with the monitor than with Windows.) Fortunately, I've not seen it myself.

 

[Doxielvr3]

Found that I had to change the refresh rate to 75. Now this is fixed but can't figure out other things. LOL

 

[bobtran]

Keep posting and we will help you get to a stable system that meets your needs.