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    Safe to upgrade if I have a backup?

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by bstarr3, May 20, 2009.

  1. bstarr3

    bstarr3 Newbie

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    I have a brand new lenovo y550. Running vista from the factory. I removed bloatware and backed up to recovery partition. Also backed up the whole thing to ext hd. Am I safe to upgrade to win7 (vs dual boot) now? It's my first foray back into windows after 7 years with a Mac. I'm rusty, and a lot has changed since xp sp1. Anything else I should know/consider?
     
    bstarr3, May 20, 2009
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  2. Stella

    Stella Notebook Deity NBR Reviewer

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    As long as you're backed up, why not? The worst thing that will happen is you can't find the correct drivers for your system or you need a program that isn't yet compatible, in which case you can completely restore. No big deal.
     
    Stella, May 20, 2009
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  3. newsposter

    newsposter Notebook Virtuoso

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    find a way to 'test' your backup. No sense depending on a backup that may not work......
     
    newsposter, May 20, 2009
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  4. dbam987

    dbam987 wicked-poster

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    You could perform a 'Complete PC Backup' using Vista's Backup Utility. That creates a complete disk image that can be used by the Windows Recovery to restore the machine to the point of the backup in it's entirety.

    Only things to worry about is that the location of the backup should be large enough to store everything you have (files, applications, etc.). Also, I think it's only available on Vista Business and Ultimate. I'll have to check on whether it's available under Vista Home Premium.
     
    dbam987, May 20, 2009
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  5. McGrady

    McGrady Notebook Virtuoso

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    Only in Business/Ultimate. Home Premium doesn't have it.
     
    McGrady, May 20, 2009
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  6. dbam987

    dbam987 wicked-poster

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    Thats what I figured. There are free-ware tools that can do it though, such as the following: http://www.macrium.com/reflectfree.asp

    I haven't tried that software yet, so I'm unsure on how well it works for cloning/restoring drives.
     
    dbam987, May 20, 2009
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  7. k9hydr4

    k9hydr4 Notebook Deity

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    I found it's better to clone your hd and install the upgrade on that, which is why I keep spares around..
     
    k9hydr4, May 22, 2009
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