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Adventures in upgrading ( from Vista to Windows 7 on a Laptop by Ed Morrissey at HotAir )
Hot Air ^ | October 23, 2009 8:05 am | Ed Morrissey

Posted on 10/23/2009 12:34:04 PM PDT by Ernest_at_the_Beach

A couple of weeks ago, I asked Hot Air readers if they would immediately upgrade from their current operating system to the newly-released Windows 7.  Only 16% said they would change operating systems immediately, while 37% said that they would keep their XP software until forced to change.  Surprisingly, 10% said they would stick with Vista, which has become a lot more stable, but is still a resource hog.

Because I’m either a tech geek or a fool, I decided to upgrade immediately.  I have a high-powered laptop that consistently underperformed, at least in my opinion, under Vista.  While I wrote that the experience of OS upgrades was as thrilling as “a Barack Obama speech on prime time, or a slow root canal with not quite enough Novocaine to cover the job,” I also got a lot of feedback from beta testers on Win7 that it was worth trying.  I decided to join the 16% that wanted to put Vista in the rear-view mirror immediately.

At the same time, I got contacted by Laplink, which wanted to know if I wanted to test their new PC Mover product.  Normally, this is intended for use when upgrading from an old PC to a new one, to move applications and data files more easily than in the Windows Vista system (and presumably Win7 as well) .  However, Laplink designed their latest version to also handle a Vista-to-7 upgrade process on a single laptop, which they offered to me for free with no commitment to discuss it, which I mention in the service of full disclosure.

The upgrade process is rather straightforward for both programs.  PC Mover only comes into play before and after the upgrade; it does not involve itself in the Windows 7 system upgrade ......

(Excerpt) Read more at hotair.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Computers/Internet
KEYWORDS: windows7
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To: Ernest_at_the_Beach

I haven’t read anything about driver compatibility. I am concerned with installing WIN7 on my older XP machine and none of the XP drivers working. Anybody had any experience with XP drivers not working with WIN7? Thanks!


41 posted on 10/23/2009 11:30:31 PM PDT by Chinito (6990th Security Group, RC-135/Combat Apple, RVN Class of '68)
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To: Chinito

Microsoft has a tool to check the comparability of your machine with Win7.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=1b544e90-7659-4bd9-9e51-2497c146af15


42 posted on 10/24/2009 2:26:07 AM PDT by SeeRushToldU_So ( Go Braves! Braves are gone.)
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To: SeeRushToldU_So

MS compatibility checked out ok. Sony’s website said I had incompatible hardware (VIO VGNCR120E running VISTA w/ service pack)

I did a custom install and have had no problems so far. Make sure backups are done with something other than Live One Care. Cannot be restored with the new program have for 7.

My laptop does run faster, takes some getting used to. NOT complaining!


43 posted on 10/24/2009 1:03:28 PM PDT by Protect the Bill of Rights
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To: SeeRushToldU_So

Thanks. Tried the tool and it basically told me I need to buy a new Laptop with Win7 installed! (Not a bad thing!) Additional reading says Win7 is made to work with Vista drivers but not with XP drivers.


44 posted on 10/25/2009 12:39:18 AM PDT by Chinito (6990th Security Group, RC-135/Combat Apple, RVN Class of '68)
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To: Ernest_at_the_Beach

I had pre-ordered a copy from Best Buy back when they had a $50 deal last July.

Came today and my upgrade went surprisingly smooth. (With one exception).

Though I had removed ZoneAlarm quite some time ago, some untraceable parts remained and Win7 refused to go further until I took it out. It was not in Add/Remove nor on the All Program tree. No trace could I find but Win7 said it was still there nonetheless!

I Googled and found a link to a ZoneAlarm removal tool which did the trick.

I upgraded from Vista and am shocked that my browser links remained (Firefox, no less!), my cookies were intact and I could just click my normal link to here and made this post without even having to log on.

I’m sure I’ve got a lot of jiggering to do, but so far so good.


45 posted on 10/27/2009 8:12:00 PM PDT by eddie willers
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To: eddie willers

That is good.


46 posted on 10/27/2009 8:35:21 PM PDT by Ernest_at_the_Beach (Support Geert Wilders)
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