Purchase and install W7

[ah100]

I have a Toshiba Satellite P105 laptop, ca 2006, running XP3. It works, but there are problems. I would like to purchase and install Windows7. Where is a good place to buy (online is good). I looked at NewEgg, but they are offering a supplier's version, and it looks like you need special software to install. I'm not too techy, as you can see. What I want is a CD that I stick in my drive and say go. I assume this machine will handle W7. I'm also assuming it would require the 32-bit version. Right?

 

[linnemeyerhere]

Welcome to SevenForums ah100,
You should run this on your lappy to see if it's a good fit. I can say W7 should but for what you'll pay for the OS you may find it just better to upgrade the whole lappy. I use a Intel i3 HP with W7 64 bit and for something similar discounted pricing starts in the high 300's.

http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=20

 

[SIW2]

You should be able to get win7 retail license for not too much, though you would need to download the iso file, burn it to dvd and install. I assume you can do that, it is very easy.

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi and welcome to SevenForums,
2 gigs of ram is a bare minimum for win-7 64 bit and 1 gig for 32 bit but if you use a windows classic theme just about like x-p I believe you'll be fine,
Aero effect soak up allot of ram so just keep that in mind unless your lappy's ram is upgradeable ?
But looks as though TigerDirect has some 32 bit Home Premium disks available,
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 32BIT Operating System Software - OEM DVD, English at TigerDirect.com

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1649-clean-install-windows-7-a.html

I suppose you can thank Microsoft for not having win-7 disk available in local stores after releasing win-8 they were pulled off shelves

 

[jc836]

Welcome
Run the Microsoft Windows Upgrade Advisor. Get it from the Microsoft site. This will tell you if you can upgrade to Windows 7 and what drivers will be needed (that's the hard part).
To make susre everyone understands - Microsoft no longer sells media or licenses for the retail version of Windows 7. Tiger Direct and NewEgg have the OEM license. for ~$140. The end of October is the current cutoff for all retail/OEM versions except Professional as I understand it.
There are a number of Windows 7 laptops available "new in box" from HP and Lenovo at very attractive pricing. Other vendors may also have them. We just bought a nice one on Amazon. Worth considering and also converting the current machine to Linux if you want.
Just my 2 cents.

 

[whs]

The TigerDirect version has some strings attached. I would spend the extra $10 and get it from Newegg. This is a completely normal OEM version. Installation is straight forward and as usual.

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 32-bit - Operating Systems - Newegg.com

Retail versions are hard to come by and extremely expensive.

And run the Upgrade Advisor first. Linnemeyerhere posted the link.

 

[ThrashZone]

I missed any strings attached for this version :/
But anywhere win-7 is still available is okay by me

 

[ah100]

I'm still a little confused. I think there are some problems with my whole installation. I attempted to reinstall the original XP from scratch (with the Toshiba disc), but it wouldn't work (even though it is only possible to reinstall with reformat). Some programs won't work at all (Adobe 10, Google Earth), so after screwing around with this for awhile, I am entertaining a complete reformat and then installing W7. I have done this beore, using the Toshiba disc, but now that doesn't work. NewEgg offers W7-32 for $99, but says it needs an installation program. Do I have to buy that, too? My hope would be to reformat, insert CD, and hit "GO", with maybe some custom installation to omit programs I don't want. Appreciate your replies.

 

[ThrashZone]

This should walk you through the fresh install process,
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1649-clean-install-windows-7-a.html

 

[whs]

NewEgg offers Windows 7-32 for $99, but says it needs an installation program.

Where does it say that. I have installed OEM versions from Newegg several times and never had a problem. It was a straight forward installation.

 

[ah100]

"This software is intended for pre-installation on the hard drive of the fully assembled computer system, using the OEM pre-installation tools. For information using pre-installation OEM tools, see www.Microsoft.com/oem/opk....."
I looked at the instructions for a clean W7 install (http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1649-clean-install-windows-7-a.html), and that looks like a great tutorial. Thanks to whoever wrote it. I'm now assuming I can buy the OEM version of W7 from NewEgg for $99 and install it easily. Tell me if I am wrong.

 

[DavidE]

Yes, you can use the OEM version.
This one is on sale right now with a Promo code till 10/01/2014.
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit - Operating Systems - Newegg.com

 

[ThrashZone]

Your not wrong
But please do look into all of the Notes warnings... of the tutorial
This one might also be a good read,
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/52291-partition-hard-drive-windows-7-install.html

 

[ah100]

OK, I'm ready to install the new Windows7. Checked out the tutorial Windows 7: Clean Install Windows 7,and it says to back up all the drivers. Sounds like a good idea. So I went to a recommended site--SourceForge DriverBackup! | SourceForge.net, and it looks like what I need. Now, if I get this and do the backup, will these drivers from my XP system be usable for the new W7 system? If not, what do you suggest I do to get the new drivers. Or, better yet, is there a way to replace the XP system with the W7 system without losing all the drivers? Is that option on the W7 disc I will be receiving? Is that a good idea? I wouldn't mind buying a program that would load the drivers automatically, as long as I can get on the internet. I do have another computer hooked up to the net. I do appreciate your help.

 

[gregrocker]

No need to do that. Just proceed with the http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1649-clean-install-windows-7-a.html plugged in by ethernet cable (which increases the chance of it starting up ready to connect), deleting all partitions using the Drive Options pictured in Steps 7/8. If you want a certain partition scheme then create and format your new partitions with those same tools, or just click Next and Win7 will do it for you.

If the install starts up ready to connect, then enable Automatically deliver drivers via Windows Update (Step 3) and Check for Updates, install all rounds of Important and Optional Updates except Bing. After reboots keep checking back for more updates until no more are offered. Then import any missing drivers from Satellite P105-S6024 Support | Toshiba. Make sure the model extension is correct or change it first. Click on the Drivers tab.

If the new install needs a network driver to connect get it from the same location above. Only Vista wireless drivers are available there but they should work, or Win7 will provide a newer one, or we can help you find it if you determine the exact make/model of device you have from the list by looking in Dev Mgr before install, tracing Hardware Identification, or just trying all of them from list until one installs and you can connect to network.

Plugging in by ethernet increases the chance the installer will have your driver to about 75%, while the chance for wireless driver being provided during install is about 50% or better. If only one is provided you can use it to get your Updates which likely will have the other, or import it from Toshiba's web page.

Ask back any questions you have. Also read over these steps which compile how to get and keep a perfect http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/219487-clean-reinstall-factory-oem-windows-7-a.html#post1839164 which also apply here as well.

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
Just know your webcam is likely not going to work if it has one,
Manufactures often switch venders of hardware like this it's unavoidable
Thanks Greg for straightening out the process

 

[ah100]

Me again. I backed up everything (I hope), inserted my W7 OEM CD, fired up the computer, clicked to load from CD drive. Whirr.........Loaded files, whirred some more, then the computer shut down completely. Now what?

 

[gregrocker]

You'll want to see if this repeats. If so is it overheating? Check if the vents need to be cleared of dust. If you can still get into the OS install Core Temp to your System tray to monitor temps while it is under load.

 

[ah100]

Update 10/11--Installed W7 from OEM disc from NewEgg. Installed ok. I had some minor problems with the fact that W7 is a little different from XP, but worked them out. Still have two problems. A couple of my very old DOS programs would not work (we're talking 1994 or so). Simple game programs. I get a message that "This system does not support full screen mode". I selected the box on the compatibility tab to make compatible with Windows 7, and also to run in Window mode. Not the end of the world, but I would like to make them work, as they did in XP.
Second, don't have any sound. I went to Toshiba
(Satellite P105-S6104 Support | Toshiba)
and found driver updates, but not for W7. Maybe somebody could give me a clue on what to look for. Other than those two items, things seem be working ok.
Incidentally, I had a billing problem with NewEgg; called them up and they were extremely helpful in working it out.
Thanks in advance.

 

[ah100]

BTW, I installed CoreTemp as suggested, and it was reading around 86C (before I reloaded). Now it is reading around 54C, which is quite a bit less. I did blow out the laptop as suggested; maybe the vents were clogged. Maybe this was the problem with some of the programs not working well beforehand (GoogleEarth, Adobe). Not sure what the temp should be.