Yesterday my disks from Dell came for my Windows 7 upgrade.
In July, regular readers will recall, my Gateway of four years developed a hardware issue. The resolution was as expensive as a new computer. I had a new computer purchased scheduled, but not for another year. I bit the bullet and bought the thing early.
After a horrible experience with an ASUS computer, I ended up with this Dell. It came with Windows Vista, an operating system which received poor reviews all around. However, with the new computer came the promise of a free upgrade to Windows 7, which at the time was touted as being more stable and better and what Vista was supposed to me. Sort of like Windows ME prior to Windows XP, I think.
Anyway, I did not dislike Vista and was using it on my Gateway laptop anyway, but when the upgrade arrived in the mail yesterday, I could scarcely contain myself.
I'd read that an upgrade could take as long as 20 hours. Yikes. But the little two page-manual Dell sent said it would take two hours.
At 2:50 p.m. yesterday, I plugged in the "upgrade assistant" DVD from Dell. By 6:15 p.m. (longer than two hours but certainly not 20), the thing was done and my computer was up and running on the new Windows 7.
The upgrade via Dell was very easy. The "upgrade assistant" took care of removing software, such as audio and video, and then adding the Windows 7 versions back. TThe only software I really had an issue with was my keyboard software. I use a Microsoft Natural Keyboard and the intellipoint software did not jive with Windows 7. This was easily solved with a download, however.
The other issue was my desktop. I like a Windows Classic look most of the time (solid blue screen) and my desktop came up with pretty icons on a black screen. After some fiddling with preferences I managed to get the desktop back to something I like.
I'm pretty happy with it so far. The printer works, my MS Office works, Quicken works, and the virus software works. Those are the main things. And I feel very comfortable knowing that at least for a little while this operating system won't be abandoned by Microsoft.
*Nobody paid me anything to write this.*
That's great! Glad to hear all went smoothly for you. Me no likey when new things do not work and I'm sure you don't either.
ReplyDeleteDi
The Blue Ridge Gal
Good luck!
ReplyDeleteI shudder every time I contemplate an operating system change...glad this went so well for you!
ReplyDeleteI've heard only good things about Win7. I've stayed with XP all this time so am looking semi-looking forward to the upgrade.
ReplyDeleteI have Vista and can't wait to get rid of it! I'm kinda hoping that Santa is willing to fork it over for a new computer with Windows already on it.
ReplyDeleteGood for you being able to change to Windows 7 yourself. I'm completely lost when it comes to computers.