Upgrading from Vista to Windows 7

Hi all, I'm not great at computers, and have never changed an OS before.

I need to upgrade from Vista to 7 so I can download Autocad for college.

I did the upgrade advisor and below is the report:

Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor Report
Computer Name:
Operating System: Windows Vista Home Premium
CPU: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU P8600 @ 2.40GHz
Memory: 3.0 GB

Devices Status Details
ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3650
ATI Technologies Inc. Not compatible The driver installed for this device is not compatible with Windows 7.
Broadcom NetLink (TM) Gigabit Ethernet
Broadcom Unknown We don't have compatibility information about this device.

Programs Status Details
ATI Catalyst Install Manager
version 3.0.682.0
ATI Technologies, Inc. Reinstall after upgrade Before upgrading to Windows 7, we recommend uninstalling this program. It can be safely reinstalled after the upgrade.
Catalyst Control Centre
version 2.0.0.0
ATI Technologies Inc. Reinstall after upgrade Before upgrading to Windows 7, we recommend uninstalling this program. It can be safely reinstalled after the upgrade.
Intel(R) PROSet/Wireless WiFi Software
version 12.03.0000
Intel(R) Corporation Reinstall after upgrade Before upgrading to Windows 7, we recommend uninstalling this program. It can be safely reinstalled after the upgrade.
JPG to PDF Converter 1.0
version 1.0 Paid update available We don't have compatibility information about this version of the program.
Get a paid update to a compatible version

Macromedia Dreamweaver MX 2004
version 7.0.1
Macromedia Paid update available We don't have compatibility information about this version of the program.
Get a paid update to a compatible version

Macromedia Extension Manager
version 1.5
Macromedia Paid update available We don't have compatibility information about this version of the program.
Get a paid update to a compatible version

Macromedia Flash MX 2004
version 7.0
Macromedia Paid update available We don't have compatibility information about this version of the program.
Get a paid update to a compatible version

MagicDisc 2.7.106 Reinstall after upgrade Before upgrading to Windows 7, we recommend uninstalling this program. It can be safely reinstalled after the upgrade.
Mindjet MindManager 8
version 8.0.235
Mindjet LLC Update available We don't have compatibility information about this version of the program.
Get an update to a compatible version

Nikon Transfer
version 1.1.1
Nikon Free update available We don't have compatibility information about this version of the program.
Get a free update to a compatible version

VLC Streamer 1.50 Update available We don't have compatibility information about this version of the program.
Get an update to a compatible version

Xmarks for IE
version 127.0.160
Xmarks Free update available We don't have compatibility information about this version of the program.
Get a free update to a compatible version

My big concern are the ones in bold. Will I be able to get back online if I do this upgrade?

What should my next step be? Should I back up photo's, docs etc?

mass_debater

It's your graphics driver, Windows update will update that for you after you upgrade. You'll find the display may be the wrong resolution and appear all blocky until it's updated but it will run fine other than that

The other is the wireless card driver, plug in on Ethernet while you're doing the upgrade and Windows update will find it

Thank you! Do I need to back up photo's and docs as well?

And does it matter that there's 3 profiles on this laptop (me, gf and mate)? I take it their profiles will use windows 7 after I do this?

mass_debater

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Thank you! Do I need to back up photo's and docs as well?

And does it matter that there's 3 profiles on this laptop (me, gf and mate)? I take it their profiles will use windows 7 after I do this?

You should use this opportunity to back them up anyway, you have no security depending on a copy on a mechanical drive that could pack in if you had an accident and dropped it

PropJoe10

Deleted User wrote: »

Thank you! Do I need to back up photo's and docs as well?

And does it matter that there's 3 profiles on this laptop (me, gf and mate)? I take it their profiles will use windows 7 after I do this?

ALWAYS back up your stuff when doing anything like an OS upgrade. It saves a lot of tears if something should go wrong!

Fysh

If possible, I'd recommend taking an image of the entire disk before you do the upgrade as this means you can roll back if need be. Personally I've been quite happy with Acronis True Image - if you have a Western Digital or Maxtor drive in your computer you could use the free branded version. If you want more help on this let me know and I'll provide more details.

Once you've got the update installed, you can pop along here and download an updated driver for your graphics card if it doesn't sort itself out automatically.

BarJustas

It is possible to Upgrade from Vista to Windows 10 for free ? If i have original windows vista

Fysh

BarJustas wrote: »

It is possible to Upgrade from Vista to Windows 10 for free ? If i have original windows vista

No, the free Windows 10 upgrade is only available if you are on Windows 7, 8 or 8.1.