Windows 7 Upgrade questions

I'm thinking about pre-ordering Windows 7 Home Premium to upgrade from my Vista Home Premium (32 bit) on my Studio 15. I've ran Windows Upgrade Advisor and under "Devices" it listed about six items that said "Run Windows Update after installing Windows 7 to make this device compatible" while everything else said "This device is compatible with Windows."

I had four items DigitalPersona Personal 3.1.0, Dell Support Center (Support Software), Dell Dock, and Dell Video Chat (remove only) that said "You might experience minor issues using this program while running Windows 7. For more information, go online to the manufacturer's website."

1. So can I expect the above four items not to work after the upgrade and is there any other surprises I should be aware of?

2. With the Windows 7 Upgrade is there an option to do an upgrade install in addition to a full install?

3. I've never installed Windows before or did an Windows Upgrade how difficult is this going to be, will files in "My Documents" be transferred? Will I have to reinstall all my programs?

 

1. I've never had trouble with Dell Dock, Dell Support Center, or Video Chat in the Windows 7 RC I've been using. I don't have the DigitalPersona fingerprint software, so I can't guarantee that.

2. If you're installing a compatible version, then yes. You won't be able to upgrade if you're getting a 64-bit edition of Windows 7, though, if you're currently on 32-bit Vista.

3. If you do the upgrade option, if it's available to you, then all your documents and installed programs will be saved. That's the point of doing an upgrade rather than clean install.

Of course it's up to you to do what you like, but I would suggest backing up any important documents to an external drive or something, and doing a reformat and clean install. It's always better to start fresh, especially when going from one operating system to another.

 

Thanks for replying Mastershroom this is the special Windows 7 pre-order price (until July 11) I was referring to http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?id=pcmcat185500050009&type=category. I thought I'd read somewhere that this upgrade includes both 32 and 64 bit versions but I maybe be wrong.

This is my play computer so I don't use it for major tasks and it came with 3GB Ram would it still be worthwhile to go to 64 bit if possible?

My laptop runs Vista Home Premium 32 bit so if I understand right the Windows 7 Home Premium upgrade would be what I'd need. Okay but if you did a clean install instead of doing an upgrade from this should you be able to go from 32 to 64 bit if you wanted or did your answer to my question 2 say you couldn't?

 

Yes, I believe the Home Premium Upgrade package includes both 32-bit and 64-bit versions.

There is nothing wrong with using 64-bit on a system with 3GB of memory. It can use more than 4GB unlike 32-bit, but it's not a requirement. Besides, 4GB RAM kits are dirt cheap these days if you ever decide to upgrade.

Yes, the Home Premium Upgrade is what you'll need. If you're doing a clean install, then you will have no problem going from 32-bit to 64-bit. It's only the upgrade option that requires you to have the same version, i.e. 32-bit upgrading to 32-bit or vice versa.

 

Thats pretty lame since I'm probably ordering a Studio 1555 and 32-bit is the only option available.

 

If you start with the middle configuration of the 1555 on the site, it has Vista 64-bit, not 32.

 

Great just placed an order!

 

Does anyone know if Dell will offer a Win7 software upgrade plan for older Vista laptops ... I have a $100 gift coupon and would like to upgrade my Studio 1537

 

As with all Windows Products the same advice continues. Wait till Service Pack 1

I am running Vista SP2 64-bit, and will not be Touching Windows 7 64-bit UNTIL Service Pack 1

 

Have you even tried Windows 7 yet? I've been using it for months and it is a huge improvement over Vista. Everything just works better with Windows 7. It really is what Vista should have been.

Don't let all the problems that came with Vista stop you from enjoying a better OS.

I tried Vista 64 and did not like it at all. Had decided that I just wouldn't upgrade to 64-bit. Then I tried out Windows 7 32-bit and loved it. Figured that since that one was so nice it was worth trying it in 64-bit and haven't looked back. I've got my copy ordered and I'll keep using the RC until it arrives.

 

Unfortunately, you're wrong about Windows 7. It doesn't need a service pack. The Release Candidate is amazing. It's fast, stable and everything just works. I've convinced everybody in my family to change to Windows 7 RC and try it, and I haven't heard a single complaint about slowdowns or programs not working, like there used to be with XP SP3 and Vista SP1.