How to switch to VISTA already installed after using XP Pro for 5 years

Natakuc4,

Kind thanks once again for your information, and encouragement.   I appreciate the thoroughness of your guides and will likely try that.

I don't need convincing to give up XP, but if I go through the work and uncertainty of a clean install, was simply thinking it might be time to move to freeware so that I'm not dependent on Microsoft for the next $140 just to keep what is already working.   All approaches have their good points and bad.  

But if I succeed on the clean install to Vista, I would still have to pay--for Win7 Pro, since I have Vista Businesss--to get where I really want to be.   I see nothing encouraging about Vista.

Thank you!!

K

In general it would make it even worse. I recommend direct Clean Install of Windows 7.

Thank you again!    k

Natakuc4, I hope you are still reading this.  I was trying to find how to switch to Vista on my XP and your posts let me know I don't really have Vista. :)

I don't "get" computers and it takes me forever to figure stuff out. Below are the specs of my computer. Can I put Windows 7 on it? It's from 2008 and I do bookkeeping for a couple of companies in Quickbooks, lots of spreadsheets and some Lightroom and Photoshop CS6.  I do have a newer Dell with Windows 7 but kind of want to use this one until it dies.

And you said "thousands have followed my guides on clean installs and report success". Are your guides available to everyone?  How do I install Windows 7 and keep all of my documents etc - do I have to copy all of the files somewhere else and then import them back in? And will I have to reload the software (QB, LR, PSCS6)? I'm really clueless about this kind of stuff.

Thanks

~Cindy

Hi Cindy

You have not stated the model of the Dell it should say on the case of the system.

It also seems that the system should have a Windows Vista Ultimate COA with downgrade rights to XP Professional.

From the specifications however I am guessing XPS 420?

The system will run Windows 7 64 Bit without problem here are some system drivers which should be compatible:

http://dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com/driver-sets/xps-desktops/xps-420-windows-7-64-bit/

My guides are freely available here, see the Windows Reinstallation Guide/A Clean Install of Windows 7:

http://dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com/

About keeping your files. The clean install of Windows 7 will give you the option to format the drive (my guide also explains how to securely wipe the drive); if you want to keep the documents don't carry out either of these steps. All old files should be in the Windows.old folder and my guide explains how to access files from this. However if opt down this route I still recommend to backup all your files to an external hard drive prior to the Windows installation. Its also advisable to periodically back up your files to an external hard drive. This will prepare you for any possible future hard drive failure. I prefer to format or securely wipe the drives when I clean install.

Regarding the software, make sure you have the MPI card with the product key and download the installer for Microsoft Office 2007:

http://dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com/download-microsoft-windows-and-office/download-microsoft-office/

If you have lost the MPI card for Office 2007 use Belarc Advisor to get the key for Office 2007 before installing Windows 7:

http://dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com/gathering-information-about-your-pc/belarc-advisor/

The Adobe Photoshop software you will need installation media and the product key for it aswell as the QuickBooks. I have never used the latter software but it looks like it can be redownloaded from here:

http://www.intuit.co.uk/quickbooks-accounting-software.jsp

The model is : XPS 630, Intel Core2 processorQ6600 (2.40Ghz,1066FSB) w/Quad Core Technology

and 8MB cache.  Can you tell I saved the original purchase email in a folder? :)

Thanks so much for this information, Natakuc4. I will read your guides and print this out to hopefully avoid any complications.