Maybe Linux!

AlwaysHere

David_Aston wrote: »

Bless you, always
appears to be 2.1 as in your example.
Look, I have to rejoin my Missus downstairs, or blood will flow!
I am so grateful for your help. If anything comes to mind for me to try tomorrow I will certainly get stuck in then.
By the way, your Rufus seemed to be an earlier, and in fact more option laden version to the one I have downloaded. I did attempt to follow your instructions with the smaller Kingston flash drive. Same result as it happens.
Cheers for now.
Dave

If it shows 2.1, the job is done.

Now it's just a matter of clean installing Windows 7 to your boot drive.

You can use a genuine DELL re-installation DVD, such as this one to effect the install. That DVD reads the signature now contained in your computer's firmware and shakes hands/auto-activates. Et voila! No need for you to enter a product key.

The media in your Inbox does exactly the same. But if you prefer to have a DVD that has DELL printed on it, buy the one in my link.

AlwaysHere

Once you have installed Windows 7 Professional 64 bit, you can choose to 'upgrade' to Windows 10 Professional for free. Once Windows 10 Pro is activated, you can keep it or simply reinstall Windows 7 Professional from the media in your Inbox or the DELL DVD if you chose to purchase it.
This way you have the option to run both Windows 7 and Windows 10.

David_Aston

Gosh always, if I was not prepared to lash out 7 quid, I would be a real cheapskate.
Additionally, could you name a charity of your choice for me to make a thank you contribution?

Esuhl, thank you also for your ideas.

AlwaysHere

David_Aston wrote: »

Gosh always, if I was not prepared to lash out 7 quid, I would be a real cheapskate.
Additionally, could you name a charity of your choice for me to make a thank you contribution?

Esuhl, thank you also for your ideas.

Actually. I was suggesting that you not bother to buy it, as the media in your PM inbox will do exactly the same job.
As for charity, do something nice for the next person along, Spread the love.

David_Aston

Ah, that inbox, always,
never think to look at it. Anyway, Dell disk purchased, and I will certainly apply myself to your inbox info over the next day or so, prior to it's arrival.
The next person along will be my Missus again. Hopefully I manage to spread the love correctly in that department. I will have to ask her, as she currently sits watching Spurs in the Champions League downstairs.
Beyond that, Shooting Star Hospice for kids will benefit from your kindness.
Goodnight
Dave

AlwaysHere

David_Aston wrote: »

Ah, that inbox, always,
never think to look at it. Anyway, Dell disk purchased, and I will certainly apply myself to your inbox info over the next day or so, prior to it's arrival.
The next person along will be my Missus again. Hopefully I manage to spread the love correctly in that department. I will have to ask her, as she currently sits watching Spurs in the Champions League downstairs.
Beyond that, Shooting Star Hospice for kids will benefit from your kindness.
Goodnight
Dave

If you bought the DVD, you don't need the PM inbox info.
You just need to install the OS from Boot. It of course will erase everything on your boot drive, so make sure there is nothing on there you need to keep.

esuhl

esuhl wrote: »

You want to give Arch Linux a go!

Stoke wrote: »

I do, but I never have the time.

Go on! Try it!

It's the only Linux distro that has ever made any sense to me.

It's not for everyone -- if you want to install Linux and have a fully working system that does everything automatically for you, you'll hate it.

If you don't mind starting with a minimalist blank canvas, and following the step-by-step instructions to build the Linux system of your dreams... and you have a little patience... and you see yourself as more of a "system administrator" of your PC than a mere "user", then it's the best thing ever!

You don't even need to be a Linux guru. So long as you understand the basics, you're walked through everything else as part of the installation process, so you have a pretty good idea how everything works. It's the only Linux distro I haven't repeatedly trashed by doing something stupid.

And it's so flexible. You only install the components you want, so you can customise it as you see fit. As a result, it's lightning fast and incredibly reliable.

I guess you have to be "a perfectionist" or to have some desire to understand how GNU/Linux works "under the bonnet", but... I like it, anyway.

David_Aston

"You just need to install the OS from Boot. It of course will erase everything on your boot drive, so make sure there is nothing on there you need to keep."

Tech thicko that I sadly must remain, I may just be able to perceive that your quoted action would get rid of the Windows.old folder which I have assumed contains all previous Vista content? Hopefully, the back ups to the little HP Simplesave external, I have had connected up for a year or to, cover this anyway?

AlwaysHere

David_Aston wrote: »

"You just need to install the OS from Boot. It of course will erase everything on your boot drive, so make sure there is nothing on there you need to keep."

Tech thicko that I sadly must remain, I may just be able to perceive that your quoted action would get rid of the Windows.old folder which I have assumed contains all previous Vista content? Hopefully, the back ups to the little HP Simplesave external, I have had connected up for a year or to, cover this anyway?

Yes, back up any bookmarks, favourites, documents etc that you wish to keep.
If for some crazy reason you wish to go back to Vista, you can simply reinstall it with the appropriate DVD. You have the Dell XP, Vista & Windows 7 signatures for activation. If you upgrade to Windows 10, you will have the XP, Vista, Windows 7 and Windows 10 signatures and have the ability to install and activate any and even the possibility to dual boot.

David_Aston

This morning, I went to the message box, and downloaded as per your instructions, Always. Coincidentally, the ebay purchase arrived mid morning. However, I assume that for either, I have to replicate your Rufus step? If I put a formatted flash drive in, Rufus shows only that in the device space. Or I can get a blank space with no apparent means to enter a target.
I did hope that by leaving either disc in the reader, they would show as a target, but no. I have also got your download saved in my download folder, in hopes that Rufus would see that, but no.
Obviously I am still not getting something!