Upgrade or Full Retail Version?

[Debi]

Hi Guys,

My daughter has a laptop running Vista Home Premium - It's having all sorts
of problems and at one point had loads of Virus' & Malware (she didn't know
any better). It's now running dreadfully slow and the computer man in the
store said the best way would be to flatten it and start again.

I was thinking about doing this but now that Windows 7 has come along maybe
that's the way forward? I see there's quite a big difference between the
Full Retail & Upgrade versions (someone told me I could buy a OEM version?).
Anyway, my question is will any of the problems that I'm having remain if I
buy the upgrade version? Will the upgrade version allow me to format and
start again?

Any help would be appreciated.

Kindest regards,
Debi

 

[ray]

Hi Guys,

My daughter has a laptop running Vista Home Premium - It's having all
sorts of problems and at one point had loads of Virus' & Malware (she
didn't know any better). It's now running dreadfully slow and the
computer man in the store said the best way would be to flatten it and
start again.

I was thinking about doing this but now that Windows 7 has come along
maybe that's the way forward? I see there's quite a big difference
between the Full Retail & Upgrade versions (someone told me I could buy
a OEM version?). Anyway, my question is will any of the problems that
I'm having remain if I buy the upgrade version? Will the upgrade version
allow me to format and start again?

Any help would be appreciated.

Kindest regards,
Debi

I could be wrong, but I thought I had read that with the upgrade version
you can indeed do a clean install - at some point it will ask for the
'original' disk to verify.

As there seems to be very little real difference between vista and win7,
I think it would be a waste of your money either way.

 

[Agent_C]

Hi Guys,

My daughter has a laptop running Vista Home Premium - It's having all sorts
of problems and at one point had loads of Virus' & Malware (she didn't know
any better). It's now running dreadfully slow and the computer man in the
store said the best way would be to flatten it and start again.

I was thinking about doing this but now that Windows 7 has come along maybe
that's the way forward? I see there's quite a big difference between the
Full Retail & Upgrade versions (someone told me I could buy a OEM version?).
Anyway, my question is will any of the problems that I'm having remain if I
buy the upgrade version? Will the upgrade version allow me to format and
start again?

Any help would be appreciated.

Yes, the upgrade version will allow a fresh install.

You shouldn't have any problems, since it will sense and note an
existing Vista instillation. Just make sure you select the correct
option; 'Clean' not 'Upgrade in place'.

This CNET article lays out the procedure rather succinctly:
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13860_3-10388567-56.html

A_C

 

[R. C. White]

Hi, Debi.

There are just two main distinctions between Upgrade and Full Retail disks.

1. Upgrade costs less.

2. Upgrade will insist on seeing a qualifying version of Windows already
installed. (Ray's suggestion of "just show me the qualifying disk" used to
work, for WinXP and prior, but now Win7 won't be satisfied with that; it
will want to see your Vista already installed.)

Once the Upgrade has satisfied itself as to #2, the actual install procedure
is the same with either disk.

An OEM disk is even cheaper - but there are reasons for that! You don't
want OEM in this situation.

While an Upgrade installation is possible (with either Upgrade or Full
disks), I usually am more comfy with a Clean Install. That is especially
true in a situation like your daughter's where the Vista installation has
been compromised. An Upgrade installation might very well carry over some
of the problems that she is trying to get rid of.

RC
--
R. C. White, CPA
San Marcos, TX
(e-mail address removed)
Microsoft Windows MVP
Windows Live Mail 2009 (14.0.8089.0726) in Win7 Ultimate x64

 

[Andy]

Hi Guys,

My daughter has a laptop running Vista Home Premium - It's having all
sorts of problems and at one point had loads of Virus' & Malware (she
didn't know any better). It's now running dreadfully slow and the
computer man in the store said the best way would be to flatten it and
start again.

I was thinking about doing this but now that Windows 7 has come along
maybe that's the way forward? I see there's quite a big difference
between the Full Retail & Upgrade versions (someone told me I could
buy a OEM version?). Anyway, my question is will any of the problems
that I'm having remain if I buy the upgrade version? Will the upgrade
version allow me to format and start again?

Any help would be appreciated.

Kindest regards,
Debi

Debi,

OS aside, the problem remains that your daughter still won't know any
better. <VBG>

Good luck,

Andy

 

[ray]

Debi,

OS aside, the problem remains that your daughter still won't know any
better. <VBG>

You're probably right. Perhaps it would be better to set her up with
Linux - then she won't NEED to know any better.

 

[Canuck57]

Hi Guys,

My daughter has a laptop running Vista Home Premium - It's having all
sorts of problems and at one point had loads of Virus' & Malware (she
didn't know any better). It's now running dreadfully slow and the
computer man in the store said the best way would be to flatten it and
start again.

Surfing porn and loading malware?

I say this as I do not even run an AV full time. Say once every month
or two I give it one quick scan. Haven't had a virus ever (touch wood).
Kids are not allowed to touch it.

But could be the torrent stuff.

But I practice safe computing. I don't click on every hot program I
find. I don't open email I don't expect. I don't click on adverts and
cute faces with promises of better sex, free rides and hot fads.

I was thinking about doing this but now that Windows 7 has come along
maybe that's the way forward? I see there's quite a big difference
between the Full Retail & Upgrade versions (someone told me I could buy
a OEM version?). Anyway, my question is will any of the problems that
I'm having remain if I buy the upgrade version? Will the upgrade version
allow me to format and start again?

Any help would be appreciated.

I would do a scratch reload the system from the OEM recovery disks.
Start by backing up only the data. Then update it 100%. Then finally
load an AV and Bluecoats K9. Put the data back on the system only once
the AV is running. Once you have K9 setup the way you like, turn her
loose on it. Let her know you will audit the logs even if you don't.

http://www1.k9webprotection.com/

 

[Alex Clayton]

Hi, Debi.

There are just two main distinctions between Upgrade and Full Retail
disks.

1. Upgrade costs less.

2. Upgrade will insist on seeing a qualifying version of Windows
already installed. (Ray's suggestion of "just show me the qualifying
disk" used to work, for WinXP and prior, but now Win7 won't be satisfied
with that; it will want to see your Vista already installed.)

Once the Upgrade has satisfied itself as to #2, the actual install
procedure is the same with either disk.

An OEM disk is even cheaper - but there are reasons for that! You don't
want OEM in this situation.

While an Upgrade installation is possible (with either Upgrade or Full
disks), I usually am more comfy with a Clean Install. That is especially
true in a situation like your daughter's where the Vista installation has
been compromised. An Upgrade installation might very well carry over some
of the problems that she is trying to get rid of.

RC
--
R. C. White, CPA
San Marcos, TX
(e-mail address removed)
Microsoft Windows MVP
Windows Live Mail 2009 (14.0.8089.0726) in Win7 Ultimate x64

This sounds like the answer to the question I asked earlier then. I have a
new Dell Vista, the upgrade disc came the other day. The PC has nothing on
it. I have just played around to make sure it works. I was just waiting to
get a blank disc to make a restore then was going to try to put Win. 7 on
it. If the disc will give me a chance to do a full install I will. I take it
you mean since Vista is already on it, that will be all it needs to qualify
it? After it's Win 7 if I ever have to use the restore discs it will still
work, just put it back to Vista again so I could again then make it Win. 7?
Doing stuff like this always scares hell out of me. I always picture the
damn things going BSOD and never coming back. <G>

 

[Bill]

Hi Guys,

My daughter has a laptop running Vista Home Premium - It's having all
sorts of problems and at one point had loads of Virus' & Malware (she
didn't know any better). It's now running dreadfully slow and the computer
man in the store said the best way would be to flatten it and start again.

I was thinking about doing this but now that Windows 7 has come along
maybe that's the way forward? I see there's quite a big difference
between the Full Retail & Upgrade versions (someone told me I could buy a
OEM version?). Anyway, my question is will any of the problems that I'm
having remain if I buy the upgrade version? Will the upgrade version allow
me to format and start again?

Any help would be appreciated.

Kindest regards,
Debi

I agree with the computer man - do a complete new installation of your Vista
HP and make sure its running OK. In the future you may wish to upgrade to
Windows 7. And then make sure you have a good Anti Virus and Anti Malware
regime in place. Upgrading now will only carry forward any hidden problems
IMO.

HTH

Bill

 

[John E. Carty]

This sounds like the answer to the question I asked earlier then. I have a
new Dell Vista, the upgrade disc came the other day. The PC has nothing on
it. I have just played around to make sure it works. I was just waiting to
get a blank disc to make a restore then was going to try to put Win. 7 on
it. If the disc will give me a chance to do a full install I will. I take
it you mean since Vista is already on it, that will be all it needs to
qualify it? After it's Win 7 if I ever have to use the restore discs it
will still work, just put it back to Vista again so I could again then
make it Win. 7?

You can do a clean install with Windows 7 upgrade media without first
loading Vista and it will Activate:

 

[Alex Clayton]

You can do a clean install with Windows 7 upgrade media without first
loading Vista and it will Activate:
<http://www.winsupersite.com/win7/clean_install_upgrade_media.asp>

Thanks I bookmarked the site. Kind of scary (for me) but I will try it.

 

[Debi]

Thanks to all those who have taken time to respond - I really appreciate it!

I think I'll go for the Windows 7 upgrade, per the link below.

Kindest regards,
Debi

 

[Alex Clayton]

Thanks I bookmarked the site. Kind of scary (for me) but I will try it.

Well I tried this today. The disc Dell sent gave me the option to do upgrade
or clean, I did clean. Things worked great. I went to the Dell site and
loaded the stuff I wanted back in, loaded my Office 07 and such. One small
glitch. The PC is a slot load DVD drive and the button on the keyboard would
no longer eject. I had to do it from my computer.
After I got everything else I called Dell Support to see why. Things went
to hell from there. I guess I should have seen it coming. The "tech" could
not understand what a slot load was. After multiple tries to get the live
connect to work and an hour on the phone I told him I give up. He had
screwed around until the keyboard had gone dead. Could not type anything.
Even after a re start. I am restoring the damn thing to Vista now. If that
works I will try going to W7 again, and if it all goes well again I will not
bother calling Dell support again. What a PITA!!

 

[Sharon F]

Well I tried this today. The disc Dell sent gave me the option to do upgrade
or clean, I did clean. Things worked great. I went to the Dell site and
loaded the stuff I wanted back in, loaded my Office 07 and such. One small
glitch. The PC is a slot load DVD drive and the button on the keyboard would
no longer eject. I had to do it from my computer.
After I got everything else I called Dell Support to see why. Things went
to hell from there. I guess I should have seen it coming. The "tech" could
not understand what a slot load was. After multiple tries to get the live
connect to work and an hour on the phone I told him I give up. He had
screwed around until the keyboard had gone dead. Could not type anything.
Even after a re start. I am restoring the damn thing to Vista now. If that
works I will try going to W7 again, and if it all goes well again I will not
bother calling Dell support again. What a PITA!!

The Eject key is probably managed by additional software for the Dell
keyboard. You would think that something like eject would be hardwired
at this point (common key on many modern keyboards) or at least covered
in the basic drivers included with Windows. Apparently that's not the
case - at least not with this keyboard.

So my guess is repeat the clean install and when all is nice and tidy,
add the Dell keyboard software (check the Dell site for a download). It
should add the needed bits for the extra and special keys. Sometimes
these options are added right into Control Panel's keyboard screens.
Other times they show as individual control panel applets (Dell Keyboard
or some such) or as free standing applications run separate from control
panel. Not familiar with Dell's implication so can't say for sure how
the final result will manifest itself.

 

[Alex Clayton]

The Eject key is probably managed by additional software for the Dell
keyboard. You would think that something like eject would be hardwired
at this point (common key on many modern keyboards) or at least covered
in the basic drivers included with Windows. Apparently that's not the
case - at least not with this keyboard.

So my guess is repeat the clean install and when all is nice and tidy,
add the Dell keyboard software (check the Dell site for a download). It
should add the needed bits for the extra and special keys. Sometimes
these options are added right into Control Panel's keyboard screens.
Other times they show as individual control panel applets (Dell Keyboard
or some such) or as free standing applications run separate from control
panel. Not familiar with Dell's implication so can't say for sure how
the final result will manifest itself.

I got Vista back on it, then again did a clean install of Win.7. One good
thing to come out of it is I am getting a lot more comfortable doing stuff
like this. <G>
I figured today I will see if I can get a news reader set up on it, then
will E-mail the support people and see if they have a solution that does not
include them having remote access again. if they don't I can live with
having to do it from the drive. They had me so damn mad yesterday I wanted
to toss the thing out the door. <G>
The one nice thing about the clean install was it wipes out all the crap
they load on the thing from the factory. It does boot up very fast now, and
I like the OS. Seems to be easy to use so far. It has an HD wide screen
which at first seemed odd, but after hours of working on it, this one looks
odd to me now.

 

[Sharon F]

I got Vista back on it, then again did a clean install of Win.7. One good
thing to come out of it is I am getting a lot more comfortable doing stuff
like this. <G>
I figured today I will see if I can get a news reader set up on it, then
will E-mail the support people and see if they have a solution that does not
include them having remote access again. if they don't I can live with
having to do it from the drive. They had me so damn mad yesterday I wanted
to toss the thing out the door. <G>
The one nice thing about the clean install was it wipes out all the crap
they load on the thing from the factory. It does boot up very fast now, and
I like the OS. Seems to be easy to use so far. It has an HD wide screen
which at first seemed odd, but after hours of working on it, this one looks
odd to me now.

Enjoy, Alex! It is a nice bonus to get all the factory extras off. While
some things add functionality (keyboard options for example :wink most
are doodads that you hardly ever use that come with a cost in overhead,
bother or both.

 

[R. C. White]

Hi, Alex.

There are many variations in hardware, drivers and software, of course. As
Sharon said:
On MY Win7, I can just right-click on the DVD drive letter and see Eject on
the context menu. ;<)

RC
--
R. C. White, CPA
San Marcos, TX
(e-mail address removed)
Microsoft Windows MVP
Windows Live Mail 2009 (14.0.8089.0726) in Win7 Ultimate x64

 

[Alex Clayton]

Hi, Alex.

There are many variations in hardware, drivers and software, of course.
As Sharon said:

On MY Win7, I can just right-click on the DVD drive letter and see Eject
on the context menu. ;<)

RC
--
R. C. White, CPA
San Marcos, TX
(e-mail address removed)
Microsoft Windows MVP
Windows Live Mail 2009 (14.0.8089.0726) in Win7 Ultimate x64

This is what I have to do now.
I had never seen a "slot drive". All I hade ever seen was the tray of some
kind. This one just sucks the disc in, and on top of the keyboard to the
right of the F keys is an eject. When it first died I was wondering how the
hell I was going to get the W7 disc out when I remembered seeing the eject
on the drop down menu and did that. Like I said it's nothing I can't live
with, and had I known what was going to happen when I called for help I
would never have called.
I loaded the Cyberlink Blu-Ray player back and when I tested it to make
sure it worked I noticed it also has an eject button built into it that
works. If Dell tells me there is no fix, that's fine. They really should
tell their workers in India what's going on though. I can't be the only one
who will call about this, and the guy had absolutely no clue what he was
even trying to fix.

 

[R. C. White]

Hi, Alex.

I haven't reviewed this whole thread, but has the paperclip fix been
mentioned? Most CD/DVD drives have a small hole in the front of the case.
When a disk gets stuck in the drive, a straightened-out paperclip inserted
into this hole should cause the disk to pop out.

Of course, this is not the way you want to do it regularly, but it usually
works when necessary.

RC
--
R. C. White, CPA
San Marcos, TX
(e-mail address removed)
Microsoft Windows MVP
Windows Live Mail 2009 (14.0.8089.0726) in Win7 Ultimate x64

 

[Alex Clayton]

Hi, Alex.

I haven't reviewed this whole thread, but has the paperclip fix been
mentioned? Most CD/DVD drives have a small hole in the front of the case.
When a disk gets stuck in the drive, a straightened-out paperclip inserted
into this hole should cause the disk to pop out.

Of course, this is not the way you want to do it regularly, but it usually
works when necessary.

RC
--
R. C. White, CPA
San Marcos, TX
(e-mail address removed)
Microsoft Windows MVP
Windows Live Mail 2009 (14.0.8089.0726) in Win7 Ultimate x64

It ejects by going to the drive and clicking eject from the drop down menu,
so that's fine with me. I just called because the button on the keyboard
quit working. Like I said if I had known what the "help" was going to do I
would have never called them.
The one up side to this is I am getting a lot more comfortable doing
things like a clean install of a new OS and such. Stuff still is scary to
me, but I'm getting a lot more comfortable with it. Could come in handy
later I guess.