Should I upgrade to Windows 7

I bought an Acer laptop that allows me to upgrade from vista home premium to 7 when the release is made. I have a Pentium dual core T4200 processor at 2ghz and 4gb of ram. It is the 32 bit os. I am wondering if from any ones experience if the upgrade is something I should consider.

Am also curious how difficult the transition is!

Does the new os (7) simply override the old vista os? Do you simply install 7 and vista is removed or is it a matter of somehow removing vista?

For those of you already using 7 is it superior to the vista home premium os?

Would greatly appreciate any and all information that someone or ones may give. If you have info that I have not asked about but you feel is relevent I would be grateful for any and all imput!

Thank you in advance.

 

Going from XP to 7 is a little tricky.
I think that it will be easier to go to 7 after already being used to vista. From what I hear, most of the interface is similar to vista.

If you watch a video on youtube, it will show you the install process and how easy it can be.
You can do an in place upgrade from Vista to 7. I would have to say that 7 is better than Vista, and will not have many complaints as Vista did. UAC is also fixed.

I bought a laptop in 2006 with XPSP2 which was Vista Compatible. Still to this day, I am using XPSP3 and never upgraded to Vista.

When did you buy the laptop?

I have never used any versions of Windows 7 yet.

 

G'DAy trub,

I strongly recommend a fresh installation of Windows 7 and not an upgrade of the existing OS.

Just make sure that drivers are available for all the hardware and application software you want to install, i.e. the software is compatible with W7. Most is or like in Vista you can run in Compatibility Mode.

Keep in mind that you need to backup (Copy) all your email, documents, downloaded files, and other files you created or want to keep.

The folder structure is much like Vista (a pain) Vista and Windows7 file structure, the logic of which, escapes common thinking and I get the feeling they just changed it to confuse us and making us believe that it's all new, when in fact they yet again just moved the furniture around.

pcbugfixer

 

Thanksi for the info. I bought 2 laptops after the eligibility date and have registered for the upgrade.

If you do a clean install ( which I would need help with) what happens to the preloaded programs in the system? Saving my existing data should be easy as the computers are not that old and therefore not to full of new data.

Although I do not necessarily dislike vista, more and better performance is never a bad thing in my mind.

Ultimately I guess what I am truly wondering is the change worth the effort involved.

Can someone guide me to something that might detail the steps necessary to do the "clean install" and the steps necessary to complete the transition as smoothly as possible.

If as Arie says,7 is just vista 2.0 is just riding out my current systems os going to be an option that is worth considering?

If there is any other info that might be of assistance to me I would greatly appreciate the imput.

Thanks bunches, Trub

 

The link to the vista to 7 video provided by sniper took me to a windows phone site so I did not see the video. Again thanks a million for all of the info, it is truly appreciated.

As for the driver issue am I understanding that upon install of 7 there is some sort of compatibility function? If you need driver updates is this difficult to do?

For anyone who has upgraded already can you give me some idea as to the time involved!!


Thanks

Trub

 

G'Day trub,

Now that I know and understand that you have 2 Laptops with the option to upgrade and or install W7, then obviously the laptop manufacturer will have the required drivers for this Laptop Model, and you can in this instance follow the Manufacturers instructions for the upgrade.

However I still recommend a fresh install of W7 which the DVD from the Laptop Manufacturer will automatically do for you, i.e. Laptop DVD installations are "Recovery" styled installs which load everything that is needed for the Laptop. All you need to do is load the DVD, and boot from it and follow the instructions.

Time is usually 1.5 to 2.5 hours, including running Microsoft Updates after the initial installation is completed, Remember to continue running Microsoft updates until all are completed (no more updates left to perform) as updates are done at different levels (Progression) Also ensure that you do ALL updates, although the On Line Office "I do not recommend !" (you must be kidding me - loading my confidential document on a MS server is nuts and open to abuse irrespective of the suggested security which anyone with a bit of grit can crack or bypass, I carry them on a Password secured USB stick)

pcbugfixer

 

Thanks mate, appreciate the info. Still sort of wondering what happens to the preloaded programs other than the os. All in all good info thanks a bunch.

Trub

 

G'DAy "trub ",

All the preloaded software is part of the Recovery DVD or installation DVD.

There should be a list of what is included.

Anything else you need the installation CD's or DVD's for the Application Software.

pcbugfixer

 

When you do an upgrade I understand that the programs are kept. What happens to the vista os? Is it still there and does this ultimately affect any performance improvement you would expect with the 7 os? IF your system is relatively free of junk (mine should be as it is only 2 months old and I have had some help from Broni fixing a viral problem) then I guess the million dollar question is, is it worth it?

If you only upgrade, is there enough benefit to justify the means?

Is there any chance that the 7 disc will be more like a recovery disc from acer or is it just the os from microsoft?

Is there some way to save the programs and settings then do a clean install of 7, then reinstall the saved programs and settings?

I can not thank all of you enough for your input, it is appreciated more than you know!!

 

G'Day "trub "

Like I said, due to the Parasite (Virus) infection (which I found by cross referencing your other posts) , I would not upgrade - a clean new install is warranted !!

The Step up to W7 is worth the effort, I say that because we do OS installations all the time, Windows All OS's, Ubuntu, MAC, etc. and comparing the experience with Customer feed back, the vote is in favor of Windows 7.

As to Acer, it's Saturday here now where I am and I cannot phone anyone on week-ends, if you can wait until Monday my time, I will phone our account Mnager and get the exact details for you.

In the mean time you can log a help desk call to Acer and they will (should) respond within 4 hours - www.acer.com.au/helpdesk

If you want me to help you, I will need the Model and Serial Number(s) of the Laptops to ensure we obtain the correct information.

Most of Acer's Laptops have the Original Recovery data in a seperate partition on the HDD, check if you have more than 1 partition on the HDD (you may have 3, one of which is hidden) as they keep changing their methods with different models.

And this time after you have done a clean install of W7, and performed all OS updates, also install a decent Internet Security Suite like BitDefenter Internet Security 2010. After that, re-install any software that you installed after you purchased the Laptop with the original Installation and included software.

pcbugfixer

 

PC, thanks for all the help. I am going to call acer to get what info I can. Will let you know what I find out. In the mean time the laptop I have access to now ( the other is my daughters ) is model #Aspire 4730z, snid # 91309825416.
If you want to double check that would be peachy in my book.

How do I know about the # of partitions? I do know there are at least 2 as there are C: and D: (data) drives listed in "my computer ". There is some software that is currently installed (microsoft works, acer empowering tech and a program called crystal eye (controls the camera) that I would like to take with me to the new os. I did create backups upon purchase but would have no idea how to pick and choose which components to install if it is even an option.
If a clean install is performed, unless the new disk contains acer components as well as the windows os then how would I ever get the software for the camera or the other couple of programs I would want to keep? Most of the acer software that is on the box is of little use to me, so losing it would be no big deal.

Can I use the recovery discs that I created to "pick and choose" my spots or is all or nothing?

Any other software I have installed is easily replaced as I either have it or can take the time to reinstall it.

Again multiple thanks for all your expertise and help.

P.S. Enjoying spring down under I hope!!!!

 

In talking to acer ( this was no easy task what with the thick accent, not something easy like Aussie for instance LOL) they are indicating that 2 discs will be included. One will be the windows os and the other will be an acer application and data disc. If I understood them correctly the app and data disc will correspond to your individual model. This should in my mind mean that you will install the os cleanly then install the app and data disc. I would think this disc will have all of the other preloaded contents added by acer at the time of manufacture. I do not know if you will be able to pick and choose from acers disc and load only the things you want.

I will not bore you with the rest of the info garnered because my translator is currently at lunch!!

If you find something else out and if you concur with my idea as to the contents of disc 2 let me know.

Thanks again brother I am in your debt.

 

G'DAy "trub ",

I have logged a call for you,
Service Request ID: HD-483-171009
Should hear back sometime to-day (AEST)
pcbugfixer

 

When all of this gets started will I or, can you instruct me as to partitioning the hard drive so that I get max performance and max security?

Again thanks and enjoy your weekend!!

 

G'DAy "trub ",

Under Administrative Tools, you have "Computer Management" start it and you will see all the HDD and DVD drive information, which then obviously will give us the partition information of the HDD.

The default and or recovery installation does it's own partitioning. However this can be changed which then requires a different backup and recovery strategy !!

pcbugfixer

 

O.K. PC under computer management I opened Storage then Disk Mamagement, it shows the following:
Volume Layout Type File System Status
(BlanK) Simple Basic (none listed) Healthy(EISA Configuration)
Acer C: Simple Basic Ntfs Healthy(system,boot,pagefile,
active,crash dump, primary partition
Acer D: Simple Basic Ntfs Healthy(primary partition)

The first blank volume is a symbol(looks like a drive) Lists capacity as 12 gb with 12 gb free.

The other 2 list their capacity and free space which is ample.

Hope this makes sense!!

Thanks

Trub

 

Thanks for putting in the call for me that was beyond the call of duty.

Center of computer mgmt page shows 3 segments.

1 unnamed 12 gb 12 gb free, healthy (Eisa Configuration)

2 C: 143.04 gb ntfs (system,boot,page file,active,crash dump Primary Partition.

3 Data D: 143.04 gb ntfs healthy (Primary Partition).

Hopefully that is clearer. I do not know if this means 2 or 3 because the first one is a mystery to me lol.


Thanks again PC, you are the man!!