Upgrade

[craig46]

Just upgraded to Win 7 Ulimate x64 bit and what I now have is a screen that is to dark to even go online with (doing this on another laptop) where can I find the solution/fix to this and what is causing it ?
It's a Gateway laptop that came originally with Vista x 64 bit

 

[Orbital Shark]

Hi, welcome to the forums

Most/all laptops have a [FN] key which when pressed along with another [F] key will produce an built in action. You should have (normally in blue) buttons marked with the standard contrast/brightness icons, try [FN] + [one of those keys]

 

[bobkn]

Hi, welcome to the forums

Most/all laptops have a [FN] key which when pressed along with another [F] key will produce an built in action. You should have (normally in blue) buttons marked with the standard contrast/brightness icons, try [FN] + [one of those keys]

Yes, but the software that controls what some of the function keys do isn't part of Windows.

Gateway may have a utility available for download that gives the desired hotkey functions, but we'd need a model number to point to a download location.

 

[craig46]

Hi, welcome to the forums

Most/all laptops have a [FN] key which when pressed along with another [F] key will produce an built in action. You should have (normally in blue) buttons marked with the standard contrast/brightness icons, try [FN] + [one of those keys]

Yes, but the software that controls what some of the function keys do isn't part of Windows.

Gateway may have a utility available for download that gives the desired hotkey functions, but we'd need a model number to point to a download location.

Hi.
Thanks for the replies, guys all I know is it's an M-Series. The label on the bottoms a bit worn !

 

[DocBrown]

See if this will help you find the info about your Model, etc

SIW - System Information for Windows

SIW | System Information for Windows by Gabriel Topala

 

[craig46]

See if this will help you find the info about your Model, etc

SIW - System Information for Windows

SIW | System Information for Windows by Gabriel Topala

*SIGH* Just got back, switched it on "Operating System Not Found" Guess that's what happens when you buy a used laptop online and try to upgrade over a pirated version!! Thanks anyway, guys

 

[Tews]

Buy a legitimate copy of windows, then do a clean install...

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Hello craig46, welcome to Seven Forums!



If you have a legitimate Windows 7 to install do a complete wipe of the entire Hard Disk Drive to over-write all the old code and do a clean install, have a look through the information below and be sure to post back with any further questions you may have and to keep us informed.


After you have copied out or made back-ups of the data you need to save to external media, then boot the Windows 7 installation media to use Step One of this tutorial at the first link below to do a wipe (secure erase) to the entire Hard Disk Drive / Solid State Drive.

:info: Whether you use diskpart to run either the clean all command to completely wipe a HDD / SSD or just the clean command to remove the format configuration data and don't use diskpart to create at least a single partition to do the installation to, letting the Windows installer do the format you will end up with the new Windows 7 System Reserved partition, if you want to make your own decision whether this partition is added, study these two (2) options below.

• Then if you do not want to create the new Windows 7 "System Reserved" partition use the outline in Step Two #2 to create, format and mark Active a single 100GB partition to do the installation to.
• If you do want to create the "System Reserved" partition use the outline in Step Two #3 to create, format and mark Active the System Reserved partition and then create and format the 100GB partition to do the installation to.

Either way, running the "clean all" then creating and formatting the partition(s) using diskpart will get you the best possible space to do a clean install of Windows 7 to; you can always extend the Windows partition to include the remaining unallocated space on the HDD / SSD or create additional Primary partitions or an Extended partition after the installation completes if you choose.

SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation

DISKPART : At PC Startup

Do a Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version

 

[craig46]

Buy a legitimate copy of windows, then do a clean install...

That's my point I HAVE a legitimate copy of win 7...I think the version I was trying to upgrade from was pirated...I ain't an techie y'know. The guy sold me the laptop with a "legitimate" win 7 Pro" and I thought I would buy a legitimate upgrade to ultimate. That's when I asked my original question about screen brightness.
Now how the hell do I format a laptop that tells me Operating system not found ?

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

I explained that to you in my post #8 above;


We are all volunteers here and do not help rude people.

 

[craig46]

Sorry...did not mean to be rude, far from it. If I've offended you, I apologise. I s'pose I just feel the seller has ripped me off somehow. I know how to format a PC in Win 98/2000 etc., but I'm new to laptops. With my original problem I'm just wary of screwing it up DOH!

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Hello again Craig, no offense mate.



Just take your time and study the information I posted earlier and doing a wipe to the HDD should do the trick for you; boot the Windows 7 upgrade media and start at Step One of this tutorial at the link below.


SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation

 

[craig46]

Hi Guys...I'm back

Hi Guys I'm back with more noobie questions regarding my problem. I checked what the size of windows premium is and I was told 4.37 gigs. OK great I'll buy a new USB stick transfer the contents of the installation disc onto that with a friends laptop, then use the USB stick to get win 7 back in to mine. When it was almost done I got a message that the wim. files was too large at 4. gigs !! How come if the whole win 7 disc is 4.37 gigs it won't fit on a new, formatted (twice) 8 gig USB stick. don't make sense to me...what is a win. file anyway?

 

[DocBrown]

4.37gb still sounds incorrect to all my win7 installs, even with SP1

 

[gregrocker]

Do you not have a DVD drive, or just want to try a USB flash stick install? Either way you need to boot the installer. How to Boot your Computer from a Bootable CD or DVD -

The installer is under 3gb so 4gb stick is fine.

Easiest method is to install UltraISO: on File tab Open ISO or DVD, on Bootable Tab "Write Disk Image," FOrmat stick, Write button.

Boot under USB or HD's on BIOS one-time Boot Menu.

Here are tips for getting a perfect install - use the ones which apply: