New W7 pc: Settings, etc. for ?

[Robert11]

Hello,

Am in my 80's now, so please bear with me a bit.

Have a many yr old W7 desktop pc.
Still working fine, but imagine it will konck out on me one of these days.

Will try to buy a new W7 desktop.
Really don't like W10.

Question: If I do manage to get another W7 desktop, I imagine I am going to be faced with all
sorts of problems in getting it going.

Thinking ahead, is there anything I should copy down now from my present pc to make it go easier ?

e.g., a. Passwords or setting for my Comcast connection ?
b. Router passwords or settings ?
c. Other settings the new pc will want ?

If so, where, very specifically, do I find each of these, please ?

As always, thanks for help, much appreciated,
Bob

 

[MoxieMomma]

Hi,

Sale of new OEM ("brand-name") computers with Windows 7 ends on October 31, 2016.
(The deadline for PCs running the "home" versions of Windows 7 was supposed to be in 2014, but was extended somewhat due to the market failure of Windows 8. But there are few, if any, such new OEM Windows 7 systems to be found now, at least from reputable sources.)
See here:
Microsoft gives OEMs a deadline: No more new Windows 7 PCs in one year | ZDNet

That probably means that you will end up with a Windows 10 computer if you buy a new, OEM desktop PC.
That is probably the best way to proceed, for long-term viability, as support for Windows 7 will end eventually. And a new computer with Windows 10 will have both modern hardware and a current version of Windows.

If you do find a used or refurbished Windows 7 system from a REPUTABLE source with a legal copy of Windows 7, the safest way to proceed would be to format and reinstall Windows 7 immediately upon receiving the computer and then to go from there. Otherwise, one can never be sure what problems (ranging from corruption to latent malware) might be carried over on a computer previously owned by someone else. Folks here can assist you with that process, using the many excellent tutorials.

If you opt not to reinstall Windows from scratch on a used/refurbished Windows 7 system, then the steps needed to get the "new" system up and running will depend on many factors (e.g. whether it already has SP1, whether it is reasonably updated with Windows security patches, what Microsoft and 3rd-party software is installed, etc.). The first priority will be to ensure that the Windows OS is fully updated with all critical and important security updates, and then to install a robust antivirus.

My personal suggestion would be to purchase the "new" computer BEFORE the old one dies.
That will make it relatively easier to transfer your data and settings to the new system, by more or less replicating the set-up on the old one to the new computer.

There are many ways to do transfer data. For one example, see here:

Windows Easy Transfer - Transfer To & From Computers

And programs such as CCleaner can generate a printable list of the installed programs on the old computer, so that you will have a guide for what to install on the new one.

Hope this helps for starters,

MM

 

[Megahertz07]

What kind of license you have on your old computer, OEM or retail?
On new computers (Skylake), to install win 7 isn't a simple task. On some are even impossible.
I don't liked Win 10, and till 2020, Win 7 will have updates. After that, I can see a Linux on my desktop.
So, as Moxie said, you should look for a computer with Win Pro (8 or 10) that has downgrade rights.
You can use your old PC as a backup of all your data. Don't trust Easy Transfer for data as I have already seen some fails when transferring. Use it to transfer Windows settings only.
As I mentioned, Easy Transfer only transfer Windows settings. Passwords or setting for the Comcast connection, b. Router passwords or settings and other settings (programs) it won't transfer. Write them on a text file.
As you're buying a desktop, also buy a 128G SSD (I recommend Samsung 850 Pro or PNY - CS1311) for the OS and use the HDD for data.
http://www.sevenforums.com/attachme...34-installing-ssd-dell-xps-8700-a-my_tree.jpg

 

[AddRAM]

You don`t need any passwords for Comcast unless you`re using their mail program, but you should know that in your head.

You don`t need any password for the router unless you use it wirelessly.

I surely hope you have usernames and passwords written down or know them in your head.

 

[bigmck]

Type into Google == Windows 7 PC for Sale == You get quite a few hits. As time goes by, they will become fewer and fewer. It might be wise to start saving for a PC and get one as soon as you can. A refurbished PC is a good deal and are cheaper. You might look for one of those. I have had a couple and they lasted just like new ones I have had.