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.
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.