Upgrade to Windows 7 help

Topbike77

Ok so I have Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit and would like to upgrade to windows 7. I want to completely wipe my pc and keep nothing.

(1) How do I do this will my pc automatically wipe if I insert the Windows 7 disk and install it?

(2) Is my computer compatible with Windows 7? I have a Dell Studio One E1909.

(3) How will I get Windows 7 free?

Mod Note: Windows 7 is not free, unless you are a student enrolled in a certain course (With access to EduMSDN) you must buy a license for it. There will be no discussion of piracy on here thanks

chin_grin

Ronan14 wrote: »

Ok so I have Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit and would like to upgrade to windows 7. I want to completely wipe my pc and keep nothing.

(1) How do I do this will my pc automatically wipe if I insert the Windows 7 disk and install it?

(2) Is my computer compatible with Windows 7? I have a Dell Studio One E1909.

(3) How will I get Windows 7 free?

1. Depends on the version of windows you've installed.

2. http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/downloads/upgrade-advisor

3. You can't.

yoyo

Hi Ronan,

Any machine that is Vista compatible should work fine with 7, no issues. Most Vista drivers will work fine on Windows 7, but you'd be best off getting the latest ones for your machine from dell.com.
You can't legally get windows 7 free, ask your course coordinator (if your a student) if you can get Windows 7 pro free through Microsofts education program. Most courses are not eligible I don't think.
You can get a legal version of Windows 7 here and during the install choose custom and when asked where to install Windows 7 delete all the partitions (under advanced>delete) until your left with nothing but "Unallocated space", then install Windows onto "Unallocated space" for a clean install.

Nick

Topbike77

Hi lads thanks for the advice,
-I just remembered I actually have a Windows 7 Ultimate disk which I used for my gaming rig but ill need to buy a new code for this, so thats that sorted.
-I went to the link and confirmed that this pc is compatible with Windows 7 so thats that.
-Now I just need conformation that this will wipe it completely and have a fresh start to this computer.

-Ronan

yoyo

Look HERE for instructions on how to do a clean install, its a visual guide for what I posted above

Nick

Skerries

yes a fresh install will wipe the drive completely, just follow yoyo's advice and you will be sorted

Topbike77

Wow thanks that's great lads hopefully Ill set it up with Windows 7 by the end of the day. Ill let ye know if I have any problems.

Thanks,

Ronan

Topbike77

Hi lads,

Ok when I get to the partions bit (Part 10) theres no "Drive Options (Advanced)" instead it says To "Make changes to partitions, restart Windows from the installation disk."

How do I do this? I tried restarting my pc and I tried taking the disk out then in.

Thanks,

-Ronan

yoyo

Ronan14 wrote: »

Hi lads,

Ok when I get to the partions bit (Part 10) theres no "Drive Options (Advanced)" instead it says To "Make changes to partitions, restart Windows from the installation disk."

How do I do this? I tried restarting my pc and I tried taking the disk out then in.

Thanks,

-Ronan

You don't pick "Upgrade" install, make sure to pick "Custom". Your obviously booting from the Windows disc and not trying to install in Windows here? I've not seen that message before!

Nick

Topbike77

Nope i'm 100% doing custom....... I'm starting my computer normally then launching it from my computer do I have to start it in the BIOS?

bonzodog2

You have to boot from the CD/DVD, and may have to adjust BIOS settings to do this. Don't start normally and try to run installer off the disc.

yoyo

Ronan14 wrote: »

Nope i'm 100% doing custom....... I'm starting my computer normally then launching it from my computer do I have to start it in the BIOS?

Where did you get your disc? Is it one that came with your laptop or a default one? You should be able to:
Boot of Win 7 DVD->Click "Install Now"->"Setup Starting" displays->Pick OS version (only some discs)->Accept License->See partitions->Click on all partitions>Advanced options Delete all partitions in view->Click next and setup commences

Nick

Topbike77

Ok I got it, I booted it from the BIOS. It's not an official Microsoft disk it's one I bought off ebay. That should be good so ill just finish it off and let ye know if anything goes wrong.

Again Thanks a million,

Ronan

yoyo

Ronan14 wrote: »

Ok I got it, I booted it from the BIOS. It's not an official Microsoft disk it's one I bought off ebay. That should be good so ill just finish it off and let ye know if anything goes wrong.

Again Thanks a million,

Ronan

Is it an original disc? Plenty of pirated crap sold on Ebay, mainly MSDN licenses being resold. Did you get a certificate with the disc? With holograms and such? If not report it to Ebay/Paypal as being fake for money back

Nick

Topbike77

Nope it not it was burnt its "Kodkak" I was really disappointed when I received it especially because it had a home taken picture of the package. Ill report them now.

yoyo

Ronan14 wrote: »

Nope it not it was burnt its "Kodkak" I was really disappointed when I received it especially because it had a home taken picture of the package. Ill report them now.

Yep report it, also look here to see the holograms. How much you pay out of interest?, and for what version, home, pro, ultimate etc.

Nick

Topbike77

€20 for Ultimate with Disk and Code

Topbike77

Personally I think Microsoft's software is overpriced when you can buy OSx for €30 and Linux and Ubuntu are free. Then Windows is €100+ (depending on which one) I really think this is way to over priced.
Windows 8 is just around the corner now and I would buy it on launch day if it was under €50 but i'm afraid i'm gona have to give it a miss.
Not to mind this is for 1 pc, in my case I have 1 computer and 2 laptops it would cost me €300 just to change them.

yoyo

Ronan14 wrote: »

€20 for Ultimate with Disk and Code

Ronan14 wrote: »

Personally I think Microsoft's software is overpriced when you can buy OSx for €30 and Linux and Ubuntu are free. Then Windows is €100+ (depending on which one) I really think this is way to over priced.
Windows 8 is just around the corner now and I would buy it on launch day if it was under €50 but i'm afraid i'm gona have to give it a miss.
Not to mind this is for 1 pc, in my case I have 1 computer and 2 laptops it would cost me €300 just to change them.

Well, at that price alarm bells should ring immediately . Ultimate retails at near €200 for the OEM version. The code you received is likely a MSDN one. Basicly anybody can sign up to Microsoft MSDN and generate unlimited codes for OS/Office etc, but they wont work when the MSDN sub expires or when it is likely canceled due to terms violation.
The reason OSX is only €30 is the fact you are paying over the odds for the machine from the beginning, the "Mac tax". As OSX will only run on Apple hardware, Apple can afford to sell OSX at a smaller price, with microsoft they only do the software, and no hardware so the OS price cost reflects this.
Do report the thing to Microsoft as well, with the code you received, they may well give you a free copy of Windows for your trouble, and Ebay/Paypal should refund you the item cost.

Nick