Jamesy Posted March 18, 2015 Share Posted March 18, 2015 Hi I recently bought a computer and it came with XP installed - this is absolute s***house and I cannot bear to live with it any longer. I wanted to upgrade to windows 7.... I wondered - can I just buy something like this - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Microsoft-Windows-7-Home-Premium-64BIT-SP1-OEM-Full-Version-DVD-Product-Key-/141443344445?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item20eeae283d and then stick it into the pc and upload it? Will I lose all my current files and folders or will they still be there? Will I have to re-load office 2003 disc I have? Muchos Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike2JZ Posted March 18, 2015 Share Posted March 18, 2015 I'm not 100% sure if you can upgrade directly from XP to Windows 7 using an upgrade disk (my gut feeling says no). I would backup any files you need to an external drive, then install W7 clean. This means you would also need to reload office once the new operating system has been installed. If you need any help with any of the above, then I'm sure plenty of members on here can advise Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JordanC Posted March 18, 2015 Share Posted March 18, 2015 Sorry to be that guy, this just explains it better than I could! http://windows.microsoft.com/en-GB/windows7/help/upgrading-from-windows-xp-to-windows-7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike2JZ Posted March 18, 2015 Share Posted March 18, 2015 Sorry to be that guy, this just explains it better than I could! http://windows.microsoft.com/en-GB/windows7/help/upgrading-from-windows-xp-to-windows-7 Looks like you can't do a direct upgrade from XP with that (means you still have to backup your files as they won't be carried over), but yeah follow that guide, has everything you need in it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamesy Posted March 18, 2015 Author Share Posted March 18, 2015 Thanks - I read a 1/4 of that link and it hurt my head So I cant just do the upgrade and keep all my files and folders and office 2003 on there? I literally I have to save everything on a memory stick, wipe it all out, re-install windows 7 and then office 2003 from scratch? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike2JZ Posted March 18, 2015 Share Posted March 18, 2015 Thanks - I read a 1/4 of that link and it hurt my head So I cant just do the upgrade and keep all my files and folders and office 2003 on there? I literally I have to save everything on a memory stick, wipe it all out, re-install windows 7 and then office 2003 from scratch? Correct. This statement sums up the situation Unfortunately, WinXP to Win7 is not among the direct upgrade paths for Windows XP. It can be done by going to Vista first, but that only works with certain systems, takes more time than other methods, and supports only 32-bit versions of the source and destination. In other words, if any 64-bit Windows is involved, a clean installation is required. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamesy Posted March 18, 2015 Author Share Posted March 18, 2015 Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamesy Posted March 20, 2015 Author Share Posted March 20, 2015 Would this one be better as its the 32-bit version?? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Microsoft-Windows-7-Professional-32BIT-SP1-OEM-Full-Version-DVD-Product-Key-/131369787442?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item1e963fe032 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ATB Posted March 20, 2015 Share Posted March 20, 2015 Simply put. 32-bit is for computers with up to 4GB of ram. while 64-bit is for computers with more then 4GB of ram. As the 32-bit version can't utilize more then 4GB. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevie_b Posted March 20, 2015 Share Posted March 20, 2015 Go 64-bit if your computer hardware supports it. Being an XP-era PC, it's quite possible that your computer doesn't fully support 64-bit. 32-bit is like the failsafe option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamesy Posted March 20, 2015 Author Share Posted March 20, 2015 Thanks - so if I bought the 64 bit version and my pc doesn't support it, it wont just download it in 32 bit format? am I safer just to get the 32 bit one so I know it works?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevie_b Posted March 20, 2015 Share Posted March 20, 2015 What's the exact make/model of the PC? Be as specific as you can. If it's a Dell, what's the service tag (all Dells have one)? http://www.dell.com/support/contents/us/en/04/article/Product-Support/Self-support-Knowledgebase/locate-service-tag/Desktops I could google it for you when I have a bit of time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamesy Posted March 20, 2015 Author Share Posted March 20, 2015 Thanks mate i'll check later tonight.... is there something I can click in my computer to see the memory etc too? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stonkin Posted March 20, 2015 Share Posted March 20, 2015 Thanks mate i'll check later tonight.... is there something I can click in my computer to see the memory etc too? Click on start, right click computer and go to properties Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamesy Posted March 20, 2015 Author Share Posted March 20, 2015 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stonkin Posted March 20, 2015 Share Posted March 20, 2015 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ATB Posted March 20, 2015 Share Posted March 20, 2015 If you are on XP. Go on start menu -> Run -> Type in "dxdiag" and all system information will pop up :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott-tt Posted March 20, 2015 Share Posted March 20, 2015 If you're doing a clean install remember and download your drivers first too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevie_b Posted March 20, 2015 Share Posted March 20, 2015 I think Windows 7 already comes with generic drivers to run the majority of common hardware. Jamesy, it sounds like you don't have a recent backup of the data on your PC. It's a pain to begin with, but this is a good opportunity to fix that and then get into the habit of taking a regular backup going forward. http://michaelsuess.net/it/yesterday-backup-song/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamesy Posted March 20, 2015 Author Share Posted March 20, 2015 http://michaelsuess.net/it/yesterday-backup-song/ :d Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamesy Posted March 25, 2015 Author Share Posted March 25, 2015 Ok i have on my system: Memory: 3318 ram 6600 @ 2.4ghz Does that mean i can go for the 32 bit or 64 bit please? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hitbox Junkie Posted March 25, 2015 Share Posted March 25, 2015 go 64bit and if theirs something that you need ran in 32bit it will be able too also gives you more room to upgrade and add more ram Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamesy Posted March 25, 2015 Author Share Posted March 25, 2015 Cool thanks so it will still run on my machine fine? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevie_b Posted March 25, 2015 Share Posted March 25, 2015 Ok i have on my system: Memory: 3318 ram 6600 @ 2.4ghz Does that mean i can go for the 32 bit or 64 bit please? Sounds like your CPU is an Intel E6600 Dual Core. A quick google showed that it is 64-bit compatible. You can't deduce anything from the memory: you've probably got 4GB installed but your system only recognises a maximum of about 3.5GB: not surprising because you're currently running a 32-bit OS. I'd need the exact computer model to look up if it'll definitely support 64-bit. The CPU is only a part of it. The motherboard (chipset etc) also needs to be considered. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
creative Posted March 26, 2015 Share Posted March 26, 2015 always, always, always download your LAN drivers before an re installation. Whilst W7 usually has the generic ones I am finding more and more boards that need the correct lan drivers before you can connect to the net. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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