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- Nov 22, 2009
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- Little Rock, AR
- Vehicle Year
- 2002
- Make / Model
- Ford
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If you're running a "LEGAL" copy of Windows XP or Windows Vista, you only need to buy the upgrade version of Windows 7 to do a clean install.
I've held off from changing from windows XP forever, my hesitation wasn't helped by a Toshiba Laptop that I bought that had Vista on it and no XP drivers were available for it.
About a year ago, my wife and I upgraded our personal Laptops and they came with Windows 7 on them. I upgraded mine to 4 gig of RAM, but her's still has 2 gig. I have to admit that Windows 7 runs as good as XP with all the neat shit that Vista had. I highly recommend it, but I would consider the age of the computer, the processor and memory before taking the plunge.
Ok, I did the Toshiba Laptop. I booted on the Winderz 7 CD, told it I wanted to install, I chose custom. This allowed me to delete the primary partition and format it for the clean install.
The install went slow, but well. After a reboot it asked for the Product Key. I typed it in and it said it was invalid.
Here is the workaround, and it is acceptable with Micro$oft. Leave the product key blank, it will allow you to finish the install with a 30 day license. Boot to the new Winderz 7 install and cycle the cd in and out so that it autostarts. This time choose "Upgrade" and let it do the installation again, essentially upgrading the upgrade. It will now accept the product code and you can finish the upgrade.
Keep in mind that this is a "CLEAN" install. Meaning if you follow these steps, you will lose EVERYTHING in Winderz, all your files and settings.
I like Winderz 7, I was hesitant, but it didn't take me long to be impressed.
Oh, if you have a Toshiba Laptop, do NOT do the BIOS upgrades on their website, it will set an arbitrary password at boot up and you will have to pay to have it fixed after December 10th, 2010.
SJ
I've held off from changing from windows XP forever, my hesitation wasn't helped by a Toshiba Laptop that I bought that had Vista on it and no XP drivers were available for it.
About a year ago, my wife and I upgraded our personal Laptops and they came with Windows 7 on them. I upgraded mine to 4 gig of RAM, but her's still has 2 gig. I have to admit that Windows 7 runs as good as XP with all the neat shit that Vista had. I highly recommend it, but I would consider the age of the computer, the processor and memory before taking the plunge.
Ok, I did the Toshiba Laptop. I booted on the Winderz 7 CD, told it I wanted to install, I chose custom. This allowed me to delete the primary partition and format it for the clean install.
The install went slow, but well. After a reboot it asked for the Product Key. I typed it in and it said it was invalid.
Here is the workaround, and it is acceptable with Micro$oft. Leave the product key blank, it will allow you to finish the install with a 30 day license. Boot to the new Winderz 7 install and cycle the cd in and out so that it autostarts. This time choose "Upgrade" and let it do the installation again, essentially upgrading the upgrade. It will now accept the product code and you can finish the upgrade.
Keep in mind that this is a "CLEAN" install. Meaning if you follow these steps, you will lose EVERYTHING in Winderz, all your files and settings.
I like Winderz 7, I was hesitant, but it didn't take me long to be impressed.
Oh, if you have a Toshiba Laptop, do NOT do the BIOS upgrades on their website, it will set an arbitrary password at boot up and you will have to pay to have it fixed after December 10th, 2010.
SJ