Changing Vista to Windows

daisy dukes


Joined: 06/09/2008
Posts: 3815

Message Posted:
31/08/2011 10:14

How difficult is it to do this and is it expensive? Does it need to be done by a professional?



DD

DutchCrusader



Joined: 19/05/2008
Posts: 11281

Message Posted:
31/08/2011 10:55

Daisy, it's not difficult, but you must read about upgrading Vista to Windows 7 first. If you don't understand what you are going to read here - don't do it yourself:

▶ http://www.google.com/search?q=updating+vista+to+windows+7&hl=en&num=10&lr=&ft=i&cr=&safe=images&tbs=



Tip 1: FIRSTLY spend some money on a back up hard drive. You will keep the existing Operating System (Vista) and all your software and files - in case something goes wrong.

Tip 2: Buy an ORIGINAL copy of Windows 7. You will never have any problem updating an ORIGINAL Windows 7 OS. And you'll have full support by Microsoft. There is NO original Windows 7 OS available for 35 TL.

daisy dukes


Joined: 06/09/2008
Posts: 3815

Message Posted:
31/08/2011 11:01

Cheers Hans...i am assuming you mean that the folk advertising Windows on here is not an original version?



Where would i be able to buy an original version of Windows? (knowing that North Cyprus relies a lot on unoriginal items i'm guessing this may be rather hard to find)



again thank you.



DD

DutchCrusader



Joined: 19/05/2008
Posts: 11281

Message Posted:
31/08/2011 11:37

Daisy, I don't want to damage the local businesses going into details, but if you compare the (lowest) prices for Windows 7 upgrades - I'm sure you can make up your own mind:

▶ [ http://is.gd/voouhE/keywords_cost_of_upgrading_to_windows_7 ].



From my first computer in 1982 I've always paid for my software and I've never been sorry. The problems you > may < encounter with hacked software are numerous, always very annoying and often time consuming to solve. It's a choice.

(I'm sure that many complaints about many things on this board were written on computers with some hacked Windows version... ).



Where to buy (an upgrade of) Windows 7: I've had good service and advice at Comac in Girne (next to Mr. Pound), but heard good reviews of Laconic also. Anyway: good luck and as always with computers and computer software: better safe than sorry...

proger1



Joined: 18/04/2009
Posts: 2919

Message Posted:
31/08/2011 11:40

Daisy, Hans suggestion would be my first preference also but there is easier ways if you are not sure.



Windows has a downloadable program that will check your existing system to see if it can be upgraded to win 7, it will tell you if any hardware on your laptop is not compatible or has no available driver.



As for saving your data, as I said above, Hans's way is the best however if you are upgrading to win 7 the data should not be lost. If you decide to do a full installation of win 7 it will over right all the data in which case everything could be lost. The installation program says it puts the data into a file called windows.old but I have never checked to see what it moves.

It isn't hard as Hans mentioned but there are a couple of points that if done wrong can screw it all up



I would suggest finding a nice person who has done it a few times before that is near to you and asking them to help.

As for the original windows 7 disc, I don't know where you can get them in the N

daisy dukes


Joined: 06/09/2008
Posts: 3815

Message Posted:
31/08/2011 12:14

Many thanks to you both!! Great advice!! All advice noted and observed.





DD

DutchCrusader



Joined: 19/05/2008
Posts: 11281

Message Posted:
31/08/2011 12:37

@ Proger1: (...) As for saving your data, as I said above, Hans's way is the best however if you are upgrading to win 7 the data should not be lost. (...)



▶ I think we agree on the fact that a clone on a cheap external hard drive (of her current hard drive) is the safest way to keep the Vista OS, her software and files?

If her new Windows 7 OS works without problems, Daisy could then use the back up drive for regular back ups of the drive with the new Windows 7 OS.

I underline the importance of backing up regularly having learned the hard way in the past. ONE DAY ANY CHEAP OR EXPENSIVE HARD DRIVE WILL CRASH AND WITHOUT A BACK UP EVERYTHING ON IT WILL USUALLY BE GONE FOR EVER.

spider


Joined: 03/01/2009
Posts: 5527

Message Posted:
31/08/2011 12:49

Thanks Hans < Everything will be gone forever !! > and ever=FEAR !



How much would it cost for the windows 7 Please ? Maybe something on my Christmas list.



God save my PHOTO'S



Thanks.





Spider,X

TopTen


Joined: 15/04/2009
Posts: 1246

Message Posted:
31/08/2011 14:18

We paid £80 to have our's done and had no problems since

DutchCrusader



Joined: 19/05/2008
Posts: 11281

Message Posted:
31/08/2011 14:26

@ msg 8, TopTen: (...) We paid £80 to have our's done and had no problems since (...)



▶ In TRNC?

▶ Did you get a CD/DVD with the Microsoft logo on it?

▶ Did you get the original CD/DVD cover with the serial number(s) on it?

daisy dukes


Joined: 06/09/2008
Posts: 3815

Message Posted:
31/08/2011 14:54

Same question as Hans but for msg 9.....



DD

DutchCrusader



Joined: 19/05/2008
Posts: 11281

Message Posted:
31/08/2011 18:03

@ TopTen: I kindly request a reply to my questions in message 10 - and I'm sure a lot of C44 readers are interested also. Thank you.