upgrading from xp to windows 7?

[Critterbug9934]

I have an old xp computer and I am supposed to backup and restore it with windows 7. I don't want to loose any of the files. I don't know what to do. I also have an old linux computer I am supposed to backup and restore with windows. AND I have a vista computer I need to backup and restore with a new version of vista. I seriously need help. this is urgent and I need it done soon. I have tried using parted magic to make an image on an external hard drive but all I ended up with were a few files I do not know what to do with. I need help I am doing this to help out this IT guy and I really don't know what to do. I have all of the windows disks and keys and he told me to use parted magic but I don't know how. PLEASE HELP ME GUYS I NEED YOU!!!

 

[USAFRet]

There are 3 levels of 'data' that need to be 'saved'.

1. OS. If we're talking about XP and Vista, that is irrelevant. Both of those need to go away. Move to Win 7 or 8.

2. Applications. Whatever OS you move to, they need to be reinstalled. Find the install disks and files. Also any install serial numbers, etc

3. Critical, personal, business data.
Save this elsewhere. Reconstitute it after whatever OS you move to.

I am doing this to help out this IT guy and I really don't know what to do. I have all of the windows disks and keys and he told me to use parted magic

If he said that, he should be doing nothing more complicated than pushing carts in the Walmart parking lot. Seriously.

 

[mbarnes86]

Hi

I presume some of these pc's are on the internet
Are they on a local network so data files can be backed up over the network ?

You need to get the windows 7 upgrade advisor from Microsoft
To see if they are suitable for windows 7
Also do you want 32 bit or 64 bit version of windows ?

The minimum spec for win 7 to install on is no where suitable for use
You need to. Look at amount of ram, disk free space
Whether hardware drivers for network cards , internal components and external things like printers, scanners etc are included in windows or need to be obtained first or you will be off the internet.


Installing win 7 over win XP involves wiping the hard disk so you must backup first

Ask your expert what program on parted magic he expected you to use to backup
There are programs on the disk to backup images of the hard disk, I am not sure what files backup program is available other than one which looks like windows explorer.
It looks as if you a program which makes an image of the whole hard disk as a file but it is difficult to get to individual files

XP pro has a backup program installed by default
The home version has it on the XP cd you need to install it from the XP cd

What are you backing up the files to
A USB hard disk ?
Or over the network to another PC, hard disk
A DVD-r
USB memory stick

Backup twice to different locations in case the backups get lost , stolen or damaged.

Best of luck

Mike Barnes

 

[Critterbug9934]

I have an 8gb usb flash drive and an external hard drive I can use. The system That boots is running XP home. the other vista wont boot at all and one of them is running linux and I can't get into it because I don't have the passcode.

 

[Obnoxious]

If you're going to install Windows 7, during installation it will ask you if you want to perform a clean installation or an upgrade. If you select upgrade, all your data will remain intact whilst upgrading your machine to Windows 7.

A clean installation will wipe everything on your computer, and give you a fresh copy of Windows 7; with none of your existing data present. However it should still make a backup for you in "C:\Windows.old" but it won't backup everything.

If you want to perform a clean installation of Windows 7, then backup your data by copy and pasting then on an external storage (i.e. external HDD, USB mass storage, or a network HDD.) just move over all your files (desktop files, documents, pictures etc.), get a list of all your installed software, and you may also want to export your browser's bookmarks.

If you're doing a upgrade installation, you don't really need to backup but I would never risk it. I'd backup anyway and then upgrade.

All the best.

 

[Critterbug9934]

an upgrade would be a world more convenient but I can't upgrade from windows xp to 7

 

[USAFRet]

an upgrade would be a world more convenient but I can't upgrade from windows xp to 7

Right.

Save your critical files elsewhere
Gather all your install disks and files, along with whatever serial numbers are needed

Install.

 

[Critterbug9934]

what about the linux system and the computers that won't boot?

 

[USAFRet]

what about the linux system and the computers that won't boot?

Linux:
You should be able to attach an external drive, and copy over whatever critical files you need.

Computers that won't boot:
UBCD4Win might work. Boot from that CD, and see if the drives can be read.
Or, remove the drive, connect it to another PC via a USB dock or cable, and copy what is needed.

Why won't it boot? If a bad drive, you need a new drive anyway.

 

[USAFRet]

Bottom line...the only real stuff you need to worry about is that which cannot be replaced. Your personal files.
Anything else...OS and applications...can be easily replaced and reinstalled.

 

[Critterbug9934]

when I plug the hard drive of the computer that does not boot into my laptop with a hard drive case I can't see it in windows.

 

[USAFRet]

when I plug the hard drive of the computer that does not boot into my laptop with a hard drive case I can't see it in windows.

Well...the drive might actually be dead.