Archive for the ‘Windows 7’ Category:
Yahoo Email and Upgrading from Vista to Windows 7
I read this question online recently:
I am upgrading from Windows Vista to Windows 7. How do I back up my Yahoo! emails and do I need to do it?
If you have a free Yahoo! email account then there is no need to back up your emails because the emails are stored on Yahoo!’s servers and not your computer.
If you have a paid Yahoo! email account, called Yahoo! Mail Plus, which costs $19.99 per year, then it is possible that you could be downloading email messages to your computer with a program such as Outlook, Outlook Express, Windows Mail, Eudora, or some other program or email client.
Generally, when you are upgrading from Windows Vista to Windows 7 there is no need to erase your hard drive. When the hard drive is erased it is usually referred to as a “clean install”. While it’s always good idea to do a backup before an upgrade, it isn’t necessary. When upgrading from XP to Windows 7 the hard drive must be erased, so this is a case where it would be a good idea to have a backup of some sort.
Still, if you want to take the precaution of doing a backup, go to a computer store and get yourself an external USB drive such as a MyPassport from Western Digital and use the Windows Easy Transfer wizard to copy important files to the external drive. For more info on Windows Easy Transfer go here: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-vista/features/easy-transfer.aspx
For more info on upgrading from Vista to Windows 7 go here: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/help/upgrading-from-windows-vista-to-windows-7
Subscribe to the comments for this post$450 Computer with a Future
Thanks to everyone who contacted me yesterday by email and on the Skylarking Facebook page to wish me well amid all my respiratory problems and woes. It only takes 4 or 5 kind words to really lift the spirits. Thanks everyone!
One of the things I had been doing when I was able to breathe and function was building a new computer for a friend with a tight budget. They were actually a business client, but I like to call them friends, too. That’s just what I do.
So they had a tight budget of around $400, and I wanted to see to it that they got quality parts that weren’t going to give them any problems. I also wanted to get them setup with Windows 7 as an operating system. They had a Sony DVD burner in their old Windows XP computer, so I was able to transfer that to the new system. So I am not counting the cost of that DVD burner in the price of this system. I also reused their old monitor, but they could get a new flat panel for about $90 — 100.
As for the rest of the parts, I managed to spend about $60 on each component:
- ASUS P5KPL-AM Motherboard: This is the base of the system. Everything attaches to the motherboard (mainboard). Asus makes a lot of fine computer components, and they also make the Asus Eee PC netbook I often talk about.
- Intel Pentium Dual Core E5200 Processor: This processor operates on the motherboard’s low end, but I let my friend know they could always get a better processor in a year or two when they had another $120 or so to spend. After their old Windows XP machine, the current processor is plenty fast for them.
- Crucial Ballistix, 2 GB RAM: Again, they could spend more money here later to double or even quadruple their total memory. Using the 64 bit version of Windows 7 allows them to add up to 8GB of RAM.
- Hitachi Deskstar 500 GB SATA Hard Drive
- PowerSpec TX366 mATX Case with power supply: $35
- Windows 7 Professional, 64 Bit Edition (OEM): $90. OEM means “Original Equipment Manufacturer”, which means it is meant to be installed by a computer builder. It also means if they have trouble with Windows, I am supposed to help them, and not Microsoft. Another $30 or $40 might have got them a standard retail copy, but I stand behind the parts I’ve added to this machine. I don’t anticipate them having any problems.
I am a little short on time this morning, so I’ll be back later or tomorrow to talk a little bit more about this system, the parts, etc. Have a great day!
Windows 7 Home Premium 3 Pack – Install Anywhere
Back on October 23 in my post I’ve Upgraded to Windows 7, No Static At All, I discussed installing WINDOWS 7 FAMILY PACK on three different computers, and a reader calling himself Ballpeen asked:
Have you installed on your family members’ pcs yet?
I am wondering if the pcs need to be installed from the same physical location? (does it check IP?)Example, my brother & father live in different cities, can all 3 of us use the key that comes with the family pack?
TIA!!
I have made that installation — and one other — and there were no problems whatsoever activating Windows 7 Home Premium Family 3 Pack on three different machines in three different locations.
I installed Windows 7 in my computer first (as you know), then a few days later I installed it again from the same 3 pack DVD on a friend’s computer. They live in another town, and they use a different Internet service than I do. I activated Windows 7 on their computer with no problem. Then, a few days later, I installed the last of the 3 installs allowed with the WINDOWS 7 FAMILY PACK on my dad’s computer. He, too, lives in another town, and uses a different Internet service, and there were no problems activating Windows 7 on his computer either.
So there you go. Three installs from the same DVD on three different computers, in three different locations, on three different ISPs. No problems.
So if you and you’re friends are interested in upgrading to Windows 7, why not consider chipping in together on a Windows 7 Home Premium Family 3 Pack.
I upgraded from Windows Vista, and I’m very happy with the results. My friend and my dad were both running Windows XP previously, and they, too, are very pleased with Windows 7. My friend claims his computer even starts up faster now than it did before.
By the way, I’ll be keeping the original DVD. If they ever need it, they’ll have to call me for it. But I’ve never needed to access the original disc unless I was reinstalling the operating system.
