Windows 7 Upgrade - Computer Genius Required

[jimbobsimmonds]

hi all...

just tried to upgrade from XP to 7 and the computer froze halfway through... now i have a strange hybrid of 7 to XP, so the computer tries to boot 7 and fails... it is possible to "catch it" during boot up and run xp but...

anyhow, was wondering if it possible to blank the hard drives and install a full version of 7 (or XP if i have to...), start from scratch with a blank piece of hardware essentially...

cheers...

[Stupeo]

Yes - using the Win7 CD, do a "Custom Installation" - not an upgrade.

This should allow you to format the drive first and install a fresh copy.

Matt.

[tank slapper]

The installation of Windows 7 as an upgrade from XP requires a fresh installation but if you start the set up from within XP, it keeps the old XP folders on the disk. You can do a totally fresh installation by by booting directly from the installation disk. When the set up programme is running, then you will get the option to format the disk which will completely remove the old Windows XP installation.

[jimbobsimmonds]

tried both and i get a blue screen claiming something is not Lower or Equal than. will find out in a minute..

how much will PC World charge if i take the upgrade disk to them and get them to do it...

[tank slapper]

They will probably charge you too much and try to flog you a ton of upgrades you don't need.

Having said that, if you are getting error messages when trying to run the installation, then it may be that there is some hardware problem. Can you remember what the exact message was?

[jimbobsimmonds]

tank slapper said:

They will probably charge you too much and try to flog you a ton of upgrades you don't need.

Having said that, if you are getting error messages when trying to run the installation, then it may be that there is some hardware problem. Can you remember what the exact message was?

IRQL not less or equal too...

[Scraggles]

all PC world will do is see if they can save any personal photos that look like they could be porn, maybe tell the plod, then take the OP's win 7 disk, format the boot drive without backing anything up, win7 will install and they will probably charge around £100

or the op can format his boot drive and install win 7 for free

[jimbobsimmonds]

Scraggles said:

all PC world will do is see if they can save any personal photos that look like they could be porn, maybe tell the plod, then take the OP's win 7 disk, format the boot drive without backing anything up, win7 will install and they will probably charge around £100

or the op can format his boot drive and install win 7 for free

much prefer the last sentance...

no dodgy stuff on my comp (bloody hope not anyway!!!)

[Fletch79]

Which version of windows 7 is it??

I can ISO my full disc and you can use your upgrade key with it

This will require a change of one registry line, because your using an upgrade key and not a full version key
http://www.maximumpc.com/article/howtos/how_use_yo...

[Chimune]

Did you run the win7 hardware checker before trying this ?

[lestag]

Chimune said:

Did you run the win7 hardware checker before trying this ?

unlikely

[jimbobsimmonds]

lestag said:

Chimune said:

Did you run the win7 hardware checker before trying this ?

unlikely

yes...

[chris watton]

jimbobsimmonds said:

tank slapper said:

They will probably charge you too much and try to flog you a ton of upgrades you don't need.

Having said that, if you are getting error messages when trying to run the installation, then it may be that there is some hardware problem. Can you remember what the exact message was?

IRQL not less or equal too...

I have had that twice in the past 10 years, both times, it was a memory (RAM) issue.

I would suggest you log onto the Crucial website, type in what mobo you have and let it chose the memory for you - and then buy it, replace what you have, and all should be well. (assuming the PC isn't ancient)

Edited by chris watton on Saturday 30th October 12:21

[lestag]

jimbobsimmonds said:

lestag said:

Chimune said:

Did you run the win7 hardware checker before trying this ?

unlikely

yes...

well bless my cotton socks!!!! well done that man!! most dont and then get into all sorts of issues


post the STOP:0x........(v,w,x,y) and driver it died on

Edited by lestag on Saturday 30th October 12:31

[Viper_Larry]

Assume you are booting from the upgrade CD when the computer starts, by pressing F12 or similar to select boot device then hitting any key to boot from CD?

Rather than buy new RAM memory, if you have another PC that can burn CD's, download the Windows Memory Diagnostic from here, burn to CD and boot from it. This will test your RAM to check it's OK.