Upgrading from Windows Vista Pro

emptybox

Just_Passing_Bi wrote: »

Thanks, on this link http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/offer-listing/B008OS5NKW/ref=dp_olp_new?ie=UTF8&condition=new&qid=1395335012&sr=8-3

It's showing prices as low as £34.00, will that disc do for the 2 laptops?

I'm not computer savvy, if that disc will do for both laptops, where can I purchase 2 licence keys from?

The one you linked to is an OEM disc from Germany that will come with one licence key for one computer, so you would need two to upgrade both your computers.
Also it's the 64 bit version, which might not be suitable for your XP machine at least.

In theory you could download the software, and burn your own installation disc for free, but you would still need to buy the licence keys from Microsoft (or someone else), and they wouldn't be any cheaper than buying two discs.

Also, as grumpycrab suggests, it might be worth putting at least one of the machines onto Windows 8.

If you tell us what each of these laptops are - make and model or specifications, then we'll have a better idea of if it would be worth your while upgrading.

ETA: I forgot to say that Microsoft support for Vista continues until April 2017, so if that's your reason for wanting to upgrade, then it's your XP machine that is much more urgent.

NiftyDigits

Just_Passing_Bi wrote: »

Hi

We have 2 laptops, 1 x Vista, 1 x XP, do I need to purchase 2 MS 7 disc's or can I use 1 disc to upgrade on both laptops?

Anyone recommend where to buy from at a reasonable price?

Brand names and full model numbers?

Marty999

Interesting discussion, but just thinking back to my original question I am now wondering if it is worth me restoring the Vista Pro laptop back to factory settings, using the restore partition? That way I could get rid of the existing user accounts and data that are already on the hard disk. Or is there not much point, and is it just as effective to upgrade to W8 as it is?

Just_Passing_Bi

NiftyDigits wrote: »

Brand names and full model numbers?

This is one

Memory: 2 GB
Brand: HP
Processor Type: Intel Centrino Duo T7250
Product Line: Pavilion
Processor Speed: 2.0 GHz
Model: DV9658ea
Hard Drive Capacity: 120 GB
MPN: KA009EA#ABU
Operating System: Windows Vista
Screen Size: 15.6"

This is the other

OS Name Microsoft® Windows Vista™ Home Basic
Version 6.0.6002 Service Pack 2 Build 6002
Other OS Description Not Available
OS Manufacturer Microsoft Corporation
System Manufacturer Hewlett-Packard
System Model HP 530 Notebook PC(KD085AA#ABU)
System Type X86-based PC
Processor Intel(R) Celeron(R) M CPU 440 @ 1.86GHz, 1862 Mhz, 1 Core(s), 1 Logical Processor(s)
BIOS Version/Date Hewlett-Packard 68MVU Ver. F.05, 08/10/2007
SMBIOS Version 2.4
Windows Directory C:\Windows

System Directory C:\Win

emptybox

Marty999 wrote: »

Interesting discussion, but just thinking back to my original question I am now wondering if it is worth me restoring the Vista Pro laptop back to factory settings, using the restore partition? That way I could get rid of the existing user accounts and data that are already on the hard disk. Or is there not much point, and is it just as effective to upgrade to W8 as it is?

Upgrading from Vista to 8 doesn't keep very much anyway.
Not even sure if it'll keep your old user accounts?
After the upgrade, all the old stuff can be found in a folder called "Windows.old", which is usually pretty massive, so most delete it after they've made sure everything works, and they've extracted their personal stuff from it.

emptybox

Just_Passing_Bi wrote: »

This is one

Memory: 2 GB
Brand: HP
Processor Type: Intel Centrino Duo T7250
Product Line: Pavilion
Processor Speed: 2.0 GHz
Model: DV9658ea
Hard Drive Capacity: 120 GB
MPN: KA009EA#ABU
Operating System: Windows Vista
Screen Size: 15.6"

This is the other

OS Name Microsoft® Windows Vista™ Home Basic
Version 6.0.6002 Service Pack 2 Build 6002
Other OS Description Not Available
OS Manufacturer Microsoft Corporation
System Manufacturer Hewlett-Packard
System Model HP 530 Notebook PC(KD085AA#ABU)
System Type X86-based PC
Processor Intel(R) Celeron(R) M CPU 440 @ 1.86GHz, 1862 Mhz, 1 Core(s), 1 Logical Processor(s)
BIOS Version/Date Hewlett-Packard 68MVU Ver. F.05, 08/10/2007
SMBIOS Version 2.4
Windows Directory C:\Windows

System Directory C:\Win

OK well the first one is the better specced machine, The T7250.
That would take 32 or 64 bit versions of either Windows 7 or 8.

The second one is (I think) restricted to 32 bit operating systems, but as long as there is 2 GB RAM, it might still be worth upgrading it.
I think it would take Windows 8 as well as 7, if you wished.

Here's the specs, if anyone wants to check.

core-2-duo T7250

Celeron M 440

Just_Passing_Bi

Thanks for the reply, I'll now wait for further advice

NiftyDigits

I'm in Brazil at the mo...Internet is almost unusable. If you can hold on until I'm back at the end of the month, remind me again.

grumpycrab

Just_Passing_Bi wrote: »

Thanks for the reply, I'll now wait for further advice

What do you want to know?
You have 2 Vista laptops. Vista is supported until 2017 and if you have a fully patched Vista it is probably working fine. My other half has a Vista laptop which we bought a Win8Pro key for a couple of years ago and she hasn't let me use it yet.

I've done a handful of Vista to Win8Pro upgrades and all went surprisingly well AND quickly. It keeps accounts and data but NOT programs.(**)

I'd persoanly upgrade the best machine to Win8Pro because its quite cheap and DOESN'T blast all the data like an upgrade to 7 or 8.1 would (not that that may bother you).

Make 100% sure you have a backups (image using Macrium free) and nothing wrong with having a separate copy of all your docs/pics too. Make sure your Vista key/sticker is still readable (use Belarc Advisor if you cannot find your Vista key).

Best place for win8pro upgrade is http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/390759069888
(make an offer for say £40). You get the retail box.

Notes:- 1. once installed either stick with Win8pro or upgrade to 8.1 (free) via the Microssoft Store (this is a big update).
2. EMAIL. The main issue when changing computers/OS is email. If you use a webbrowser then this is a none issue (but if you have downloaded any mail attachments make sure these are backed up). If you use a client like Outlook, Outlook Express, Thunderbird you will need to back these up separately and have a migration plan.
3. Windows8 doesn't have a DVD player (progam). VLC is a recommended freebie.

(**) I lied. Data and accouts are kept if you have a minimum of Windows Vista with SP1, otherwise data files only are kept.
The exact version of Vista that you have is give by looking at Properties of "Computer".

NiftyDigits

Just_Passing_Bi wrote: »

This is one

Memory: 2 GB
Brand: HP
Processor Type: Intel Centrino Duo T7250
Product Line: Pavilion
Processor Speed: 2.0 GHz
Model: DV9658ea
Hard Drive Capacity: 120 GB
MPN: KA009EA#ABU
Operating System: Windows Vista
Screen Size: 15.6"

This is the other

OS Name Microsoft® Windows Vista™ Home Basic
Version 6.0.6002 Service Pack 2 Build 6002
Other OS Description Not Available
OS Manufacturer Microsoft Corporation
System Manufacturer Hewlett-Packard
System Model HP 530 Notebook PC(KD085AA#ABU)
System Type X86-based PC
Processor Intel(R) Celeron(R) M CPU 440 @ 1.86GHz, 1862 Mhz, 1 Core(s), 1 Logical Processor(s)
BIOS Version/Date Hewlett-Packard 68MVU Ver. F.05, 08/10/2007
SMBIOS Version 2.4
Windows Directory C:\Windows

System Directory C:\Win

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