HP and Windows 7 from Microsoft

[jimmy1one]

Actually most MS OS upgrades DO have historically contained the entire program and you CAN do a fresh install you just are called upon to put a copy of the previous OS install disk in at some point to "prove" you are upgrading. I’ve done this numerous times otherwise every time I’ve rebuilt a PC I would have had to start with a Windows 3.11 floppy disk. I don’t tend to build a new PC and get a new OS at the same time. As a matter of fact this is the 1st machine that is not an upgrade of something of a previous machine (the machine I just replaced still had the floppy drive from my 1992 486DX66). I always have done “fresh” installs even though every single install I’ve ever done has been an upgrade .

---

Excellent point there's just one issue, we do not have a Vista disc! HP does not provide a MS OS disc our D drive is a Factury Image. The FI contains Vista and all the HP software. That's what I was saying earlier it seems a weird way to upgrade a system depending on the backup discs you have made. Remember Windows 7 can not read the Vista Factory Image so you'll have to do a manual roll back to Vista if you ever have to reinstall Windows 7 using your discs. It appears you have as much experience as I, have you had to do this before I have not?

Jimmy

[dlawyer98005]

I own a less-than-one-year-old HP Pavilion a6600f.  It came with a 64-bit version of Vista.  I bought and installed Windows 7 and I have a problem with a display adaptor error.  The machine has an nvidia GeForce 7100 video card, and nvidia says my problem is that I need to disable the "onboard video controller" on the motherboard.  Anybody know how to do that? 

[Vis_Viva]

Anyone know if the most recent version of Vista (SP2) is necessary for the upgrade to 7? I have been setting my new HP Pavilion (model m9500y) which came with (taking a deep breath.....) Vista......(it will be okay...it will be okay....). Win 7 was on the way as of the day I got this computer. Anyway After it kept bugging me for NUMEROUS updates I noticed it did not have SP2 on it yet. I figured there would be no harm. I was very very wrong. After all the stuff it does before the first self-reboot, on part 3/3 of what it does when it reboots itself, I am on my 4th try (BSODed on my the other times) and it has just taken 24 minutes to go from 66% done to 81% done (in safe mode).

If I end up with having to go back to my recovery disks (AND if Win7 can install on that very basic form of Vista) I am going to restore to that state, turn this thing off and NOT turn it back on until my Win7 arrives in the mail.

Dear lord I hate Vista, in such a deep and visceral way. I have come to believe NOT hating Vista is a character flaw.

I wish so VERY VERY deeply I had access to the available Win 7 upgrade from on online source the day I got this. It would have saved me SO much trouble. If much goes wrong with the upgrade to 7 and I need to install from scratch again, I might to take some time away from technology, and since I work at a particle accelerator that might be tough.

P.S. in the past ten minutes it's progressed by another 10%...wow..

[Still_Vis_Viva]

So how strict is this "up to date" caveat

I finally got my Win7 upgrade for my new HP Pavilion PC. Noticed one thing that well....upset me. There is a line that states "To upgrade, your computer must have a qualified Windows Vista operating system that is up to date. "

I just got this system a few weeks ago. Of course Vista wanted to install many many many updates. On day three (or four)  of my set-up, having allowed it to perform all the  it wanted to) it wanted to install SP2. That did not go well at all. I counted 3 BSOD's (happening well into the process each time) on the last attempt I booted it in safe mode, and let the update proceed. There were no further BSOD's but dear LORD it took a while (I believe 3 hours) to "finish" the install. After ALL that time, it finally told me it did NOT install and it was reverting to the previous install. It did so poorly and at least two of my drivers (network and graphics) were broken. I reverted to a much earlier save point and complete spend the next couple of days re-doing a few days work.  This SP2 attempt was done on a new-ish machine (only 3-4 evenings of installing software and drivers). I have NOT re-attempted SP2. Now I do let it do MOST of the updates it wants to from now on. I am assuming most of SP2 is making it on in a "piecemeal" fashion.  Again I am allowing it to install MOST of the upgrades it wants to (no not all).

Are there SPECIFIC items that need to be updated?  I can make sure there are on, but I am looking for SPECIFIC bits (not just SP2, the whole kit and kaboodle). Based on the unbearable pain the first SP2 attempt was unless some absolutely GUARANTEES attempts to upgrade to Win7 without the ENTIRETY of it installed as a single package will not only fail but my PC will burst into magical soul scorching flames unless  SP2 is on as a whole I will take my chances. I'll just hope I have enough stuff covered with my "most of" updates and I will NOT put on SP2 as a whole. Ff there are SPECIFIC items I can verify, however, I will.

I am not planning to do this until Saturday morning to leave myself sufficient time (I am already thinking of asking for Monday off too just in case) so I am not in a hurry.

[TJN]

I didn't receive an operating system disc with my new PC.  Is that normal?  If so what would I do if I had to reformat or replace my hard drive?  Thanks

[jim603]

I think it is horrible that manufactures do not give you a restore disk, and when you make the ones from the software on the machine it fails 90% of the time , I would call HP and tell them you want a restore disk or you will return the machine and they can sell it as refurbished and take the hit on it , they will be more than happy to send you the disk it will cost them less then the loss they will take on the machine .I think it is petty that they save maybe $2.00 for the disks and the customer is the real loser here. I have demanded restore disks for every machine I purchased . and if they didn't send them (free of charge) I would of brought the machine back.

[jim603]

Sorry to hear you had so much trouble , when I installed the upgrade for  (Vista II) aka : win 7 it went well I didn't get any updates and the machine was sitting for 3 months , I told it format the drive and install ( this does not format the drive I found out after ?) , it took about an hour and booted up haven't had much trouble other than the driver issues , had to go to HP's site to get all the drivers again because Vista 2  is not smart like XP . I haven't had any trouble with it other than my hardware wont work with it , and the funky menus, I hate the fact they wont let you use it in classic view. they are determined to make you do it their way with no options I think , All in all XP is better Microsoft screwed up by changing to vista , and they are screwing up more by not fixing the hardware problems in w7 so it is still Vista just with another name. If I could of done it all over again I would not of purchased the notebook from HP , I would of purchased one from Dell with XP on it .

[jvr691]

I made the upgrade from Vista Home Premium on mi TouchSmart IQ 506 to Windows 7. My problem is that the screen began flickering...surely because a new Nvidia driver is bothering there. How can I go back or find the previous driver I had with my vista (without re-installing it all over again), or how can I solve the problem or where/who to address my question? Thanks Jorge

[Boss_Hogg_Ky]

I had similar problems with my 64-bit version on an IQ506 machine. I downloaded SP37523.exe (the 64-bit Vista nVida driver) and applied it. That took care of all the video problems I was having and even made Aero start working.

[jvr691]

It didnt work!! The system said it cannot be instaled under my operating system (windows 7).

Is there someone who knows to whom or where to address this problem?

Thanks

Jorge