Prepare for Windows 7 by backing up your data

By BILL HUSTED

Cox Newspapers

October 27, 2009

ATLANTA -- If Windows 7 lives up to advance billing, it'll do everything but wash your dishes at night.

Based on my own tests of early versions of the new Windows and on what I have read, it is faster, does a better job using memory, is less prone to crashes and offers some new features. Here's a link that will go into far more detail about what it has to offer: tinyurl.com/lolvb2.

Now, despite all those virtues, you'd be smart to wait a bit before buying and installing it. It's just common sense to let the dust settle for a month or so. That way, if -- despite all the testing and raves -- there are some ugly bugs, you'll avoid them. Besides, in the early days of a new release, it's very hard to get technical support. Lines are jammed and tech support folks are still a bit inexperienced themselves.

But, if you use a Windows machine, you almost certainly will install it sooner or later. And there are some things you should know that will make the experience easier as well as give you the best shot at having a program that runs with no problems.

We'll start our preparation work for Windows 7 by doing something that I've nagged you about before. You need to make sure you have a working backup of all the data on your machine. And don't just back up. Test that backup by trying to restore a few files. If you can manage two separate backup copies of your precious data, so much the better.

Here's why that backup is so important. I strongly suggest you do what is called a "clean" install of Windows 7. Unlike an over-install, this kind of installation wipes out everything on your hard disk. All your family photos go away, so do your documents, tax records, everything. You'll also be forced to reinstall all your programs -- more about that in a minute -- after the clean install of Windows 7.

Users of Windows XP and earlier won't have any option other than a clean install. However, Vista users can do an over-install. That keeps all your data, all your programs.

It seems like a no-brainer to do that if you're running Vista. But it's the wrong choice. A clean install is best for you, too.

Here's why. Bits and pieces of the older version of Windows remain behind in an over-install. That can create problems down the road that could leave you with a computer with more bugs than a rotten log. So, despite the ease of an over-install, you should go to the extra trouble of a clean installation.

If you want to read about some of the troubles you could face with an over-install, you can check out this site: tinyurl.com/5hc89g. Although some of the explanation may be a bit technical, I think you'll still get the message.

I mentioned earlier that besides losing all your personal information, you'll also lose all the programs you've installed. That's why, after you have made sure you have a working backup of the data on your computer, you need to gather all the CDs and DVDs used to install your programs. Also find any activation codes needed to reinstall them. Your programs will not be part of your backup, so you'll need to install each one of them. Now's the time to find the discs and activation codes.

Another task may face you, whether or not you follow my clean-installation advice. You need to doublecheck that your printers, scanners and the like will work with Windows 7. The good news is that if they work with Vista they should be fine with Windows 7.

However, if you plan to move from Windows XP to Windows 7, or if you're moving from any 32-bit version of Windows to any 64-bit version, you probably will need new drivers. Drivers are the small programs that let your computer communicate with devices connected to it.

The best way to do that is to check the manufacturer's Web site. In most cases there will be a link to an area where drivers can be downloaded. If in doubt, or confused, use the contact information found on the Web site to e-mail the manufacturer's tech support staff.

Look, I know this is a lot of trouble. And sometimes choices with computing are sort of gray -- there's no one clear way to go. But today's choice isn't gray at all. It's the right way.

Since you may have more questions about the installation process, I'm including a Web site that will take you through it step-by-step: tinyurl.com/y8ug48t.

Check out the Web sites I've included and follow my tips, and the installation process won't be too much trouble. Think of it this way: Go to a little trouble now or face the chance of huge trouble later.

Bill Husted writes for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. E-mail: tecbud(at)bellsouth.net.