[Windows 7 upgrade problems]

Hello to all, I am a senior citizen (Born in 1932) retired, and computer illiterate. I am seeking help on several issues involving Windows XP and getting it in order to update to Windows 7 through the Windows 7 Family Pack. My Wife has Vista. I'm hoping the changeover to Windows 7 will be flawless but I am a born pestimist. The more I work with improving my computer, it seems, the worst it becomes. We have AOL with Broadband and I understand MY computer will be cleared out (XP) which is fine with me. I use my computer primarily to play purchased games and brouse the web for best deals on products. I rarely use E-mail. I recently went from AOL 9.1 VP (or something like that) to AOL 9.5 after several hours of agonizing torture trying to follow a Tech's instructions going back and forth reading instructions and trying to follow them by pressing buttons, clicking tabs, etc.,etc.etc. Usually he was about 3 or more steps ahead of me in the process, but, rather patient with me who was becoming rather paranoid. He finally left me with more sources of information which didn't work. It was then I accidently noticed on my desktop a new entry entitled AOL 9.5 download which amazingly worked without further frustration.

But, in the process of updating, all Hades broke loose on my computer. The mouse refused to cooperate, my safety devices were throwing fits to be recognized AND I lost my Desktop screen and Screen saver which will not activate anymore. That is my current problem. I want my Granddaughter and me back on Desktop and Clock back on Screen saver. I can see them but when I try to activate them nothing happens. I have tried various themes, other Desktop and Screen Saver choices, but nothing works except a blue backgroun screen. What Happened?

If that problem can be resolved, then I will mention later the ongoing problem trying to download Service Packs through either Windows or Microsoft which I understand are critical to the performance of my computer as indicated in my taskbar(?) at the bottom of the Windows screen. Microsoft techs (at least 3) have given up trying to tell me how to press buttons or tabs which I find are simply not there. (Maybe the update to Windows 7 will resolve this latter problem and hopefully the screen problem but I would like to be sure prior to installation.

That is basicly who I am (note the Title) and where I'm going (to a Mental Institution or Utopia via Windows 7). I sincerely hope I have abided by the Posting Rules. (It took me several hours to find out just HOW to POST. Maybe illiterate is too vague in referring to my computer knowhow. Let's just say STUPID and be frank about it.

 

Hog,

When migrating from Windows Vista to Windows 7 you will have the option to select "custom" or "upgrade" install when prompted. By selecting the "upgrade" option, your documents and applications will follow and carry over through the install process. If you select, "custom" however you will be able to perform a clean install and all applications will have to be reinstalled manually -- documents will be moved to a folder entitled "windows.old ".

For additional assistance with the migration of Windows Vista to Windows 7, Microsoft does have an official Windows 7 Support Forum located here http://tinyurl.com/9fhdl5 . It is supported by product specialists as well as engineers and support teams. You are welcome to check the threads there and receive additional assistance and feedback.

When migrating from Windows XP to Windows 7 you will not have an "in place upgrade" option. You will however have the option to select "custom" install when prompted. The Windows 7 install process will then copy all of your data in "My Documents" over to a Windows.old folder within Windows 7 itself. All applications and documents stored in other locations will have to be reinstalled / transferred manually.

For more information on the Windows 7 Upgrade, please go here: http://bit.ly/3DvynK

For additional assistance with the migration of Windows XP to Windows 7, please go here: http://tinyurl.com/mhbep4

Jessica
Microsoft Windows Client Team

 

Let me just say I just had to pleasure of doing an upgrade of Windows Vista to Windows 7 for a friend. It was my first one and it went flawless.

The machine was a Sony Vaio VGN-N250E Laptop.

The machine was painfully slow on Vista even after upgrading the RAM to the max the machine would hold.

Upgraded to Windows 7 and the machine is very fast and responsive now.
But this is the kicker. The upgrade gave this laptop an additional 20GB of free space on the Hard Drive!

Anyone that is considering a Vista to 7 upgrade don't hesitate. It's a win win.