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Windows 7 installation disc - Printable Version

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Windows 7 installation disc - John Red - 10-31-2016

Hi Guys,

I have a very reliable Dell Inspiron 530 which has Vista installed. Since Vista will no longer be supported after April 2007 and because I can no longer get updates because it just hangs on the search, I've decided I want to upgrade to an official Windows 7 OS. I know 7 will be obsolete come 2020 but the machine will probably be dead by then anyway.

I've searched for installation discs and have seen some on eBay for as little as £1.99. This seems ridiculously cheap and I feel can't be trusted. Where can I obtain an official Microsoft disc that would be Genuine and allow me to register and get subsequent updates etc.

Also, would it just be a case of running the disc in the machine and everything will virtually install automatically or do I need to prepare the machine beforehand. I have limited knowledge of the process but could do it if it's reasonable simple. I did learn that a clean install would be best and probably be more trouble free. Is that right?

I had a look at some of the Vista to 7 threads on here but couldn't find anything that was pertinent. I also looked through Britecs videos and couldn't work out whether they would help.

Maybe you can think of other ways to keep the machine alive for a while longer that I haven't considered that would be within the capabilities of a keen amateur with limited experience?

Many thanks for any help and suggestions.


RE: Windows 7 installation disc - RichTech - 10-31-2016

Hi Jon,

I would recommend you buy a Windows 7 Product key only and then download an iso using Windows 7 ISO Download Page and then burn it to a cd/dvd. Alternatively, you could create a bootable USB Flash Drive and  burn the iso onto that. I would suggest you use Rufus to create the bootable usb.

Answering your questions!

You will need to download your drivers first from manufacturer, save them to a usb or another device (not the hard drive you are going to perform the clean install on) and after the installation, install them!
Dell UK Drivers and Downloads Page
Dell US Drivers and Downloads Page

Then you will need to download your windows updates using WSUS Offline Update , save them to a external device and install them after the installation:
Here is a video created by eli the computer guy to support you:




You are right, a clean installation will remove any previous versions of windows and install a fresh one, so yes there will less trouble.

Finally before performing a clean installation, please a system image backup of your windows drive using macrium reflect: https://www.macrium.com/reflectfree.aspx

Hope this helps

RECdevicehelper


RE: Windows 7 installation disc - LarryTheComputerGuy - 10-31-2016

Here you can get Windows 7 Professional/Home Premium, 32bit/64bit (software and COA KEY)

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_c_2_9?url=search-alias%3Dsoftware&field-keywords=windows+7&sprefix=Windows+7%2Caps%2C141&crid=1I70LUATN4OV5

A fresh install is always best, backup your files first.

"I like using FABS Autobackup Pro for backing up files...A trial version is available here:

https://www.fpnet.fr/?page=ab6protrial&lang=en

This is another option to add to what REC just Posted...


RE: Windows 7 installation disc - RichTech - 10-31-2016

(10-31-2016, 11:45 PM)LarryTheComputerGuy Wrote:  Here you can get Windows 7 Professional/Home Premium, 32bit/64bit

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_c_2_9?url=search-alias%3Dsoftware&field-keywords=windows+7&sprefix=Windows+7%2Caps%2C141&crid=1I70LUATN4OV5

A fresh install is always best, backup your files first.

"I like using FABS Autobackup Pro for backing up files...A trial version is available here:

https://www.fpnet.fr/?page=ab6protrial&lang=en

This is another option to add to what REC Posted...
Yes, you are referring to slipstream drivers and update, aren't you?


RE: Windows 7 installation disc - LarryTheComputerGuy - 10-31-2016

(10-31-2016, 11:47 PM)RECdevicehelper Wrote:  
(10-31-2016, 11:45 PM)LarryTheComputerGuy Wrote:  Here you can get Windows 7 Professional/Home Premium, 32bit/64bit

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_c_2_9?url=search-alias%3Dsoftware&field-keywords=windows+7&sprefix=Windows+7%2Caps%2C141&crid=1I70LUATN4OV5

A fresh install is always best, backup your files first.

"I like using FABS Autobackup Pro for backing up files...A trial version is available here:

https://www.fpnet.fr/?page=ab6protrial&lang=en

This is another option to add to what REC Posted...
Yes, you are referring to slipstream drivers and update, aren't you?

No....He can backup all profile information and personal files with FABS and it would be put back into the new Windows 7 installation. It doesn't save drivers though. It's not really a slipstream, just a backup.

(edit): "You can opt to save the driver folder, however in this case, the Vista drivers are different and would have to be downloaded like REC suggested"


RE: Windows 7 installation disc - RichTech - 11-01-2016

(10-31-2016, 11:55 PM)LarryTheComputerGuy Wrote:  
(10-31-2016, 11:47 PM)RECdevicehelper Wrote:  
(10-31-2016, 11:45 PM)LarryTheComputerGuy Wrote:  Here you can get Windows 7 Professional/Home Premium, 32bit/64bit

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_c_2_9?url=search-alias%3Dsoftware&field-keywords=windows+7&sprefix=Windows+7%2Caps%2C141&crid=1I70LUATN4OV5

A fresh install is always best, backup your files first.

"I like using FABS Autobackup Pro for backing up files...A trial version is available here:

https://www.fpnet.fr/?page=ab6protrial&lang=en

This is another option to add to what REC Posted...
Yes, you are referring to slipstream drivers and update, aren't you?

No....He can backup all profile information and personal files with FABS and it would be put back into the new Windows 7 installation. It doesn't save drivers though. It's not really a slipstream,  just a backup.

(edit): "You can opt to save the driver folder, however in this case, the Vista drivers are different and would have to be downloaded like REC suggested"
Ok thanks, I will update post!


RE: Windows 7 installation disc - Compton - 11-01-2016






RE: Windows 7 installation disc - John Red - 11-01-2016

Thank you for your suggestions guys but I feel this would be way out of my comfort zone so have decided not to upgrade to 7 after all. I know the tutorials are quite clear but it would only need one little thing to go wrong to completely throw me off course. I think I'll nurse my system along as it stands and just let it slowly die but if I feel I want to keep it going longer I'll get it done professionally. Thanks for your input.


RE: Windows 7 installation disc - RichTech - 11-01-2016

(11-01-2016, 03:07 PM)John Red Wrote:  Thank you for your suggestions guys but I feel this would be way out of my comfort zone so have decided not to upgrade to 7 after all. I know the tutorials are quite clear but it would only need one little thing to go wrong to completely throw me off course. I think I'll nurse my system along as it stands and just let it slowly die but if I feel I want to keep it going longer I'll get it done professionally. Thanks for your input.
Ok then, thread closed