An elderly neighb comes to me every now and then with problems with his pooter. The latest issue is that he has 7 important Vista updates that won't update. I tried all the obvious stuff - CCleaning everything including thingy cache, trying one update at a time etc, but nope - it just doesn't update. It looks as tho' it's going to work, and the blue horizontal scrolling bar does scroll, but it stays at 0% however long you leave it. A quick surf suggests it's not chust his computer. I also tried downloading Microsoft's 'standalone' updater, but exactly the same thing happens - ie nothing. Anyhoo, he uses Chrome and this is now saying that they won't support Vista any more. Bottom line, I suggested he upgrade to Win7 (possibly 10). Thoughts? His is an old machine - I don't know the spec, I forgot to look. Anyhoo, I told him I'd also look out for a 'new' machine and get Win 7 on to it for him, and this should be doable for not much more than £50 from what I can see - a core-2-duo with 4GB and stuff. What if, instead, I were to download Win7 on to his current machine - should this be doable without him losing his existing files? And does Win 7 overwrite Vista or will Vista need removing afterwards? I still favour the new machine approach as I'll be able to do all the setting up at my own place first, including downloading 7 (his 'net runs as chust over 2Mbps...) Also, I see legitimate peeps selling Win 7 CAOs for around a £enner - they have been taken from defunct machines and all that needs doing is for the actual software to be downloaded and installed - then the CAO activates it. Does that sound legit? Thanks for thoughts on this.
Hmmm I don't see that downloading the CAO off another computer (defunct or not) being legal.(dunno enough about the legalities of this) As you said though, a newer machine is more likely to run WIn7 than his old machine running Vista. You could always go the Linux route (yeah different operating system and a slight learning curve depending what he uses the computer for) But many Linux OS's work "straight out of the box" and come bundled with an internet browser , email client and Win compatible office software. Linux can bring many older machines "back to life" .. Perhaps something to think about ?
It used to be the case that Windows licences can't be resold. Haven't followed this for a few year but I doubt it has changed. Although, naughty, I can't see you being put in a back of a car in cuffs
Cheers, JJ. Linux would make a lot of sense as pretty much all he really does is go on to the 'net and use Gmail and play Bridge. He doesn't do anything remotely complex or mess around with files or stuff. If I were familiar with Linux myself I'd be tempted to go that route - it makes total sense. But I fear the learning curve for myself . Since I'm more familiar with Windows, I'm more inclined to keep going this route, Sos. Here's a typical link to Win 7: http://softwaregeeks.co.uk/product/...y-label-coa/?gclid=CPnRtZrr_dACFY8y0wodGtgLgQ (I've seen it cheaper too...) And an example of the type of machine I'm looking at as a replacement: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/311760573077?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT That's chust an example. That should be pretty perky enough, shouldn't it?
Why not?!: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/mini-ITX-...441367?hash=item28254c2e17:g:hCYAAOSwNRdYBVd- I'd rather a couple more GBs in there, but the cove would love summat as compact as this
Assuming there is nothing odd about the machine - graphics card/ keyboard etc. A fresh instal would be best on his current machine
For what you're saying he wants to do with it, a WiFi router and a half decent tablet would do, its all I use now, my desktop still runs XP and just sits in the corner doing nowt.
A fresh install of Vista?! I did that for mum-in-law before, when SP2 was messing up - and the HOURS it took to download all the updates. Not going through that again. Coupled with Vista not being supported any longer. I'd certainly consider an new install of Win7, tho' - that will 'blend in' with the Vista that's there? Or should I wipe the HDD and start anew?
Good point. He's an elderly cove, tho', and can manage to use what he has as he's been used to it for years, and I'm not sure a new beginning like this would help him. I know they are simpler, but there's the whole 'touch' think, coupled with an even smaller screen than he currently has (a 17" 4:5...) I was also hoping to get him a 19" widescreen monitor as then can be picked up for peanuts - possibly even a slightly larger jobbie. He currently has to horizontally scroll to see the whole screen . I don't think a 10"-ish screen will be ideal for bridge-playing, coupled with him having to lay cards using his fingers. Perhaps I should check the spec of his current machine to see if it's a Core 2 Duo of any speed, and just look at Win 7ening that. Along with a new larger screen. But the cost of new, perfectly usable PCs is so low, that to buy a new one - for £50 or so - would allow me to set it all up at home and then take it over to him, rather than me having to spend numerous hours over there. He is a family friend and a lovely cove and is great company, but he feels guilty when I'm sorting things for him that takes an age. (I don't tell him it's due to my level of incompetence...) Now't wrong with the wee PC in post #5, is there? Or a better spec item I'd been watching: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/311760573077?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT - that will do pretty much anything except play powerfullish games?
I have some experience with these things (Windows 7, 10 etc, built my own PC, triple monitor setup ). A fresh install is always the best way if you can, of course you need to make sure everything is backed up. I will always do 2 backups (a) of the files themselves in every possible folder that might contain something important (b) a disk image (via free Macrium reflect). The Windows 7 license is now done kinda automatically, I would NOT buy discs without knowing they are legit and fresh - if its been installed already then the license won't trigger. Windows 10 won't run on older PCs, even Ms Bod's Lenovo laptop which isn't that old, wouldn't run Windows 10 so she has kept with Windows 7. My home built PC which must be around 7 years old now, had no issues with Windows 10 and it runs like a dream (the 24GB memory helps).
DA, my first experience of Linux was some years ago, when a computer I had suffered a power failure during an update (yep Windows doesn't do power failures at all) After installing Ubuntu, I was able to surf the net almost instantly. To be honest the learning curve isn't steep (at least with Ubuntu) Installing programs on it is actually a doddle as it comes complete with a program installer , so you don't have to use the command line. It's not as geeky an OS as some would have you believe.
No, no, a fresh install of the £15 copy of Window 7. May be easier for you and cheaper for the neighbour and you should get some support as well
Download a ISO version of Windows 7. https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/software-download/windows7 Copy ISO file on a USB flash drive or a DVD. To create a bootable DVD or USB flash drive, download the ISO file and then run the Windows 7 USB/DVD Download tool. Once this is done, you can install Windows 7 directly from the USB flash drive or DVD.
Not true that Win10 wont run on older PC's. I have installed it on old vista PC's and an XP one! All running fine. I would go the win 10 route as all software, browsers etc are being developed for Win 10. Win 7 will be obsolete soon. I have lost count of the number of PC's i have built over the years. So many.
Windows 10 will not run on some older PCs, fact. Windows 10 will run on some older PCs, fact. I demand that Windows 10 may, or may not, run on some older PCs.
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