Solved vista laptop to 7??

[keithktam]

Hi, my laptop have vista preinstalled. thinking about switching to 7, may i ask if the vista drivers for my laptop would work on the 7??

thank you.

 

[patio]

You will need Win7 drivers...
Especially for a laptop....check the manuf. site.

 

[severedsolo]

Hi keithktam, welcome to Seven Forums.

Generally, the rule with 7 is "If it worked on Vista, it works on 7". Windows Vista drivers normally work fine on 7, although you may need to install them in compatibility mode. Here's a tutorial: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/98073-drivers-install-vista-drivers-windows-7-a.html

I personally am running at least 3 device's with Vista driver's because there are no 7 drivers available.

You may find that there are updated driver's for 7 for your device's anyway, it's always a good idea to check.

Finally, if you want to double check to make sure everything will work, run the "Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor" available here: Download details: Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor with all your device's plugged in. It will normally alert you to any problem's you may have.

 

[derekimo]

Welcome to the forum,

You can run this Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor - Download - Microsoft Windows to see if windows 7 will work on your laptop.

As for drivers, if there aren't windows 7 drivers available, you can use http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/316-compatibility-mode.html for your vista drivers.

 

[gregrocker]

The Win7 installer is mostly driver-complete, with newer arriving quickly via optional Windows Updates.

Enable hardware driver auto-updating soon after install, then check optional Updates: Automatically get recommended drivers and updates for your hardware

Any drivers missing in Device Manager thereafter can be found on the Support Downloads webpage for your model computer or device, if necessary follow Derek's link above to Compatibility mode.

 

[keithktam]

thank you for all the answer and insight!! especially for the head up. the 7 compatibility sure gonna help. thank you guys!!

 

[butterbescotch]

I have tried mine, it seems no problem at all.

 

[DeaconFrost]

Hi, my laptop have vista preinstalled. thinking about switching to 7, may i ask if the vista drivers for my laptop would work on the 7??

thank you.

You'd be better off downloading the Windows 7 drivers. Aside from running the Upgrade Advisor, go find the drivers you need and store them on a flash drive. Then you'll have them handy when you install Windows 7. If your laptop's manufacturer doesn't show them, go to the part manufacturer's website for them, like Intel, Nvidia, etc.

 

[gregrocker]

Here are some other tips for getting a purrfect install:

Back up your files externally, make your Recovery DIsks or save a backup image of the entire HD first so you have a path back to factory condition. Then wipe the HD of all code to get cleanest install: SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation

If you install to wiped HD, the installer will issue a 100mb System Reserved boot partition which conveniently places the Repair Console (normally only on the DVD or Repair CD) on the F8 Advanced Boot Tools menu. So boot the installer, choose Custom Install and then Drive Options to partition as you wish and format: Clean Install Windows 7

If you install to wiped HD then leave the Product Key blank during install. Afterwards do the quick registry edit here (set a restore point first) to allow use of Upgrade version on clean HD: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/31402-clean-install-upgrade-windows-7-version.html

The installer is mostly driver-complete, with newer arriving quickly via optional Windows Updates. Just in case, have your Ethernet/Wireless driver on flash stick or CD so you can get online to Update quickly. Then enable hardware driver auto-updating: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/w...-your-hardware and check optional Updates.

Any drivers then missing in Device Manager can be found on the Support Downloads webpage for your model computer or device. Driver Install - Device Manager

Install updates and then programs slowly over time to gauge performance after each. Don't let any programs write themselves into msconfig>Startup as they slow startup, become freeloaders on your RAM/CPU and can spy on you. I only allow AV and gadgets. Startup Programs - Change

Use a lightweight free AV like MS Security Essentials which works perfectly with Windows 7 Firewall. http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/

When it is finished, clean and order the HD perfectly using state-of-the-art free CCleaner then Auslogics Disk Defragger monthly.
CCleaner - Free software downloads and software reviews - CNET Download.com
http://download.cnet.com/Auslogics-D...-10567503.html

Then save a Windows 7 Backup image externally so you never have to reinstall again, just reimage the HD or replacement using DVD or Repair CD. Backup Complete Computer - Create an Image Backup