Multiple flash drives with Windows Easy Transfer?

[intransition]

Currently running XP and waiting for my copy of Windows 7 Home Premium 32 bit to arrive and in the meantime I went through the Windows Easy Transfer just to see how big the file size would be. It came to about 40GB. I have 3 16GB flash drives and was wondering if they would work. Does the media have to be able to handle the entire file or would it fill one, pause, and then request another? Thanks.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Currently running XP and waiting for my copy of Windows 7 Home Premium 32 bit to arrive and in the meantime I went through the Windows Easy Transfer just to see how big the file size would be. It came to about 40GB. I have 3 16GB flash drives and was wondering if they would work. Does the media have to be able to handle the entire file or would it fill one, pause, and then request another? Thanks.

Windows Easy Transfer is known to have problems. I wouldn't rely on it if at all possible. You shouldn't need to if you are simply upgrading a PC from XP to Windows 7.

I'd try to manually back up my data without using Easy Transfer. And then plan on re-installing all applications after I got Windows 7 installed.

Can you easily locate all of your personal data on your current PC--do you know where all that stuff is?

Don't forget bookmarks/favorites and email.

Are you limited to using USB flash drives or do you have another possible backup method like an external hard drive?

 

[intransition]

I think I know where everything is but I don't have an external hard drive. Maybe it's time I bought one but was trying to do the upgrade as cheaply as possible. If I bought the external drive would I then use XP's backup software or just move items to the external drive? Most of what I want to transfer is photos, videos, and music. Most of my programs are what came with XP or I downloaded. I don't have to worry about moving drivers, do I? Thanks for your help.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

I'd suggest external HD only because they are more reliable than a USB flash drive. It's your choice. Many would just go ahead with USB, but I've had them fail and so would be spooked.

How much data do you have? If it's 10 GB, maybe you back it up to 2 different flash drives so if 1 fails, you still have another.

Back up the uninstalled versions of downloaded programs---or you could instead just make note of what they are and then go online and get fresh downloads of the newest versions after you get Win 7 installed. It may be that some of your current versions won't work on Win 7 anyway.

There's no need to use "XP's backup software", whatever that is. Just drag and drop your stuff to the flash drive or to the external.

Make sure you have the Product Keys needed to install and validate certain software like Office. You'll get a 25 character Product Key with your Windows 7 disk. Keep track of it--that's what you are paying for when you buy Windows.

Drivers: the Windows 7 disk you are getting will contain most drivers. The Windows Update function will provide updates to some of them. The only one I'd try to get beforehand and back up would be the NIC (Ethernet) driver. That is NORMALLY provided by an ordinary installation, but I have heard of cases where it isn't--and in that case you'd be stuck without any way to get on the Internet. Not good. The NIC driver for Windows 7 would be available from your PC manufacturer's web site (HP, Dell, Lenovo, etc) or from your motherboard manufacturer's web site if you have a custom or home-built PC. Get it downloaded and put it onto a USB flash drive.

It would help if you filled out your system specs in greater detail. All it says now is PC desktop and XP.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

If you haven't done so already, you should run the Microsoft Windows Upgrade Advisor to confirm that your hardware is stout enough to run Windows 7:

Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor - Download - Microsoft Windows

 

[intransition]

Thank you very much. I have updated my system specs. I am going to hunt for the ethernet driver on dell's website.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Bookmark this link:

Intel® Driver Update Utility

It's an Intel site. The downloaded application will sniff your PC and tell you if your drivers are recognized and up to date. It ISN'T mandatory, but might be helpful. I'd run the suggested application after I got Win 7 going and fully updated and before I installed applications. I'd probably pay attention to its results about Intel drivers, but might ignore comments it makes about sound or video drivers (for instance)--if sound and video is working OK, don't try to fix it.

Re NIC driver:

I looked at Dell myself regarding Inspiron 530. All I see is a Vista 32 bit driver, nothing for Win 7.

So--I'd download the Vista 32 bit Ethernet driver, BUT I'd try not to use it. I'd hope that the NIC driver supplied by the Windows 7 install disc would in fact be installed and would work. If it didn't, then I'd try the Vista driver.

 

[intransition]

I cannot get the Intel® Driver Update Utility to work on my machine. Have updated Java and disabled antivirus and firewall but always get the following message:

The Intel Driver Update Utility installation failed.

Possible web browser compatiblity, firewall, or installation issue detected.

Select OK to troubleshoot issue.





The Intel® Driver Update Utility supports Internet Explorer*, Firefox*, Google Chrome*, and Safari* browsers.

Use the following tips if you are having trouble running the utility on one of the supported browsers.

Microsoft Internet Explorer*

Download the ActiveX*/Java* installer to install the ActiveX/Java component manually.
Click Run.
Follow the on-screen instructions. When the installation is complete, the progress bar and installation box will disappear.
Click Close to exit this dialog box.
Click Check your system for the latest updates to run the Intel® Driver Update Utility again.

Mozilla Firefox*, Google Chrome*, and Safari*

Make sure you have the latest version of Java* installed.
Click Check your system for the latest updates to run the Intel® Driver Update Utility again.


I went to the Intel Download Center and instead tried the "find by category option", chose ethernet controllers and chose "82562 fast ethernet controller". Not sure if that's the same as 82562V-2 10/100.

It listed one for Win 7 called PROWin32.exe and one for XP called PRO2KXP_32.exe. Downloaded both and tried the XP one and it updated my driver from 9.8.20.0 to 9.16.10.0 and everything seems to work. Is
PROWin32.exe the one maybe i should save to the flash/external drive before upgrading to Win 7?

 

[ignatzatsonic]

I wouldn't worry about the Intel Driver Update Utility on this machine. I might run it periodically after you clean install Win 7.

Did you run the upgrade advisor?

Did you download the Vista NIC driver from Dell?

Yes, I would keep PROWin32.exe on a flash drive, as well as the Dell Vista NIC driver.

Ideal situation is that you don't use either of them and instead rely on the NIC driver supplied by the Win 7 install disc. If that fails, try PROWin32.exe. If that fails, try Dell NIC driver.

 

[gregrocker]

Easiest way to back up is sort all of your files into their User folders, then drag those User folders to flash stick, DVD, external or another HD.

Other tips here to get and keep a perfect install are the same for Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7

 

[intransition]

The upgrade advisor suggests i am basically good to go and I have downloaded the Vista NIC driver from Dell.

Reading the Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 tutorial makes me think i'm in over my head in some respects. I don't understand items 1,2, and 4. Are they needed? This is the product I have ordered:

Amazon.com: Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 32bit (OEM) System Builder DVD 1 Pack (New Packaging): Software

Thanks so much for all your help.

 

[gregrocker]

No, those steps are for Factory OEM reinstalls. The rest of the steps show you what works best for all Win7 reinstalls.

Keep asking back any other questions.

 

[intransition]

Thanks. Can't think of anything else to ask right now. Maybe when I begin the install, I'll be back.