[SOLVED] How do I backup my data, where to back it up, and where to install Windows 10?

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FosterKingsley

Mar 17, 2020
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Okay, I apologize in advance if this is not the right place to ask about these specific problems, but I don't know where else to go. Recently I found out my copy of Windows 7 is not genuine. So I'm wanting to upgrade to a new legit version of Windows 10. I have got Windows downloaded on a flash drive right now (Hoping to switch that) and I don't know where to go from there. Here's what I'm looking to do: I have, of course, all my stuff on my main hard drive. I would like to not lose any of that when I switch to 10, so I bought a 500Gb SSD (My main hard drive is 596Gb). I was told I could use that to backup\transfer my data, and also told it would help speed up my PC. However, I was told the only way to get the speedup from it is to make it as my primary boot drive...is that true? Here's what I need help figuring out... I wanna make sure none of my stuff gets lost in the new Windows install, I'm not sure whether I should install on my SSD or main hard drive (Is one better for it?) and if I do use one of those, then where should I put my data backup and what to do with it after? Will the Windows 7 program files in the backup try to restore themselves afterward when I try to restore the backup? (Side note: to install it from the flash drive is it just a simple drag and drop the setup files onto one of the hard drives?) I apologize for any annoying grammar or punctuation mistakes. If someone could try and help explain these steps to me in the simplest layman's terms that would be really appreciated. :) I hope this is all understandable. If I left out any important information or specs you would like to know please notify me and I will try to acquire it for you. 😀
 
Solution
USAFRet
That would be the WiFi device on your actual PC.

Is it built in? That would be from the motherboard manufacturer.
Or a USB dongle, or PCIe card?
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FosterKingsley said:
I apologize for last night. We had a bad storm and it cut the power out and it's been on and off all today. As of now I'm having to write this on my phone. I did however get Windows installed. However, the internet will not connect. It won't detect any networks. I tried the methods windows suggested but nothing happens. I have a wireless Netgear router plugged in that usually works but the computer won't detect and install it now...
Click to expand...

"We had a bad storm and it cut the power out "

Might be related.
Can any other devices connect to that router?
 
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FosterKingsley said:
If that's something I have to get online for then no. If that's something that should be detected on my PC then I don't know... There are some drivers but they all say they've installed. The one for my wireless internet router will not install...
Click to expand...
Windows will usually install drivers for whatever hardware it finds.
WiFi, maybe not.

This is something you'll have to get from the manufacturer and see what happens.
 
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USAFRet said:
Windows will usually install drivers for whatever hardware it finds.
WiFi, maybe not.

This is something you'll have to get from the manufacturer and see what happens.
Click to expand...
Okay, sorry to keep bugging you with these questions, but would that be the Internet service provider manufacturer - Charter

Internet router TP-Link manufacturer...

Or My wireless Netgear internet router manufacturer?...
 
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FosterKingsley said:
Okay, sorry to keep bugging you with these questions, but would that be the Internet service provider manufacturer - Charter

Internet router TP-Link manufacturer...

Or My wireless Netgear internet router manufacturer?...
Click to expand...
USAFRet said:
That would be the WiFi device on your actual PC.

Is it built in? That would be from the motherboard manufacturer.
Or a USB dongle, or PCIe card?
Click to expand...
Okay, apologies for that. I have figured out I needed to plug in another wireless adapter to access the internet and then download the drivers for MY wireless adapter for it to work. Apparently Windows 10 will not detect the Netgear drivers but will detect others. So, now I officially have got everything up and running and setup. I think it is complete...
 
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FosterKingsley said:
Okay, apologies for that. I have figured out I needed to plug in another wireless adapter to access the internet and then download the drivers for MY wireless adapter for it to work. Apparently Windows 10 will not detect the Netgear drivers but will detect others. So, now I officially have got everything up and running and setup. I think it is complete...
Click to expand...
Right.
Sometimes Win 10 gets the WiFi drivers, sometimes not.

Glad to hear it is all up and running!
 
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USAFRet said:
Right.
Sometimes Win 10 gets the WiFi drivers, sometimes not.

Glad to hear it is all up and running!
Click to expand...
Yes! I would like to say thank you for all your help. I REALLY appreciate it! I have been trying to figure out for so long and you're the only one that's been able to help me understand clearly. So thank you again, you do good work.

One more quick question though, I assume it is safe to put my other hard drives back in or will that cause a problem?...
 
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