Upgrading from Windows XP to Windows 7 Using an OEM copy - Reinstalling Avast

General Topics
1

I am in the planning stages for an OS upgrade and some part replacement on my HP Compaq nx7400 Laptop.

I know I need to pre-download the drivers for Windows 7 before starting the upgrade to the OS because the OEM version may not allow me to access the internet to do so afterwards.

What I would like to know, is whether I need to pre-download my installation file for Avast Internet Security and have my key handy in order to reinstall it. And would my fully-updated version I have been using on Windows XP work on Windows 7?

I’m worried I have to pay for a new version - I still have 2 years left on my current xp version of Avast.

What are everyone’s thoughts?

2

you just download a new copy of the avast version you have/had, and install it as trail version.
When you have it up and running, insert the license and thats it…

You did save the mail from avast with the licens in…did you ?

3

Yes! So I can pre-download the exe file for the version of avast I need on windows 7 and use my licence key to activate it with the subscription once its runnnig? Sounds simple. I like it! ;D

4

I would go for a clean install of Windows 7 unless you have lots of hard disk space to spare.

An external USB hard drive is good to store needed files on before starting the Windows 7 migration.

I chose a clean install on a new hard drive I purchased so that all remnants of a previous Vista install was gone:
How To Perform a Clean Installation of Windows 7
http://pcsupport.about.com/od/operatingsystems/ss/windows-7-clean-install-part-1.htm

5

i have xp, not vista. and I’m backing up to a external before I do my oem install (with the custom clean option)

6

See if this makes things easier for you:
http://mysharedfiles.no-ip.org/windows7/How2UpgradeFromXPtoWindows7.html

7

I would recommend running the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/get/upgrade-advisor.aspx

Also I hope the system has at least 2GB RAM.

8

If you had looked at the link I just posted, you would have noticed that running the upgrade advisor is one of the
suggestions in that tutorial. :slight_smile:

9

i used the upgrade advisor. but it doesn’t say anything about drivers :stuck_out_tongue:

10

Meaning that you have no driver conflicts. :slight_smile: Why, where you looking for some ???

11

i didn’t think xp drivers worked for 7.

12

Well it isn’t the XP drivers that it will be looking at as you won’t have windows XP installed. They are looking at things like your printer, graphics driver and other hardware drivers that would be required. Those would either have to be supported natively (incorporated in win7) or the existing driver would still work, etc.

13

the sales rep told me with OEM copies they suggest having the drivers handy on the drive for after install in case the driver that helps windows connect to the internet for its updates decides not to function properly.

14

Interesting, those that sell OEM copies are the people that should provide the support when you purchase an OEM version of the OS. That is why OEM versions are more expensive than Retail versions as you don’t get Microsoft Support with OEM versions.

So it looks the sales rep isn’t doing their job, should you have problems they are your first line of support and it sounds like they haven’t got a clue.

15

I have to pay 105 bucks for their ‘help’ in installing it, and so help me I’m not paying more for the ‘help’ than the OEM version of the OS.

LOL.

16

Yes, that is the problem with OEM or Retail for that matter it is down to you to do the installation. Unless you get it on a new system when most will simply burn a default installation on the system and input the license, etc. and usually not charge for that as you are buying a system.

It is only after installing it that the actual support starts.

They certainly know how to charge.