Problems with Vista...trying to upgrade to W7

[9mak9]

I built my computer (specs below) about 2 1/2 years ago with some good help from this forum. I'm also (regrettably) using Vista. The only major problem I've had is I need to disable driver signature enforcement every time I restart my computer, other than that everything had been fine...until recently.

When I turn my computer on (this started about 2/3 weeks ago) the computer is on but the screen is blank. The mouse and keyboard aren't lite up and the monitor button is blinking like the computer is on standby. Nothing I can do help this, sometimes if I leave the computer off for a little bit and turn it back, it'll start working.

(Also now that I think about it, the drive enforcement issue and the blank screen issue happened after I went through a Vista update...)

I decided it's time to upgrade so I bought Windows 7. First time I tried (6 hours of waiting!) it said unable to install and restored my old version. I checked W7 compatibility and everything said it was good (expect it said to update my wireless adapter driver and steam). So I tried it again last night, when I woke up computer was on but again blank screen. So I have no idea if it worked or it restored it back to Vista.

Has anybody had a problem like this, or can think of anything I can do? I at the point to bring it to the geek squad...

thanks!

 

[dguy6789]

Don't do an upgrade install, they tend be full of problems. Back up stuff you need to keep and do a clean install of Windows 7.

 

[Lifted]

Agree with the above, perform a fresh install.

If you have a spare hard drive about, or think you can use an upgrade (1TB going for about $60 - $70 I think), you can install 7 to the new drive and keep your other drive intact just in case. After installation you can attach your Vista drive and copy data over as needed.

If you want your profile to be restored from Vista, you can use the Windows Easy Transfer tool in Windows 7.

 

[9mak9]

I actually like the concept of buying a 2nd hard drive, but that would be another $80 to buy full W7 and another $70 for a new hard drive. I'm not opposed to it but I was hoping to just upgrade my OS.

So I can buy a 1TB hard drive and install W7 on it.

2 questions though: Do I have to deactivate the 1st hard drive or how does the computer recognize with OS should be loaded with?

what's the best way to transfer data from one hard drive to the other?

thanks again

 

[Scotteq]

If your current OS is having issues, you should expect that the upgrade process would only make it worse.

Regarding the original issue: Have you checked for a problem with your graphics card? Though with the attempted install/upgrade, it likely needs to be wiped and clean~installed anyhow.

 

[SimMike2]

Why aren't you considering that you might have hardware problems with your old computer? Trying to install a new OS on flaky hardware is not a good idea.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Why aren't you considering that you might have hardware problems with your old computer? Trying to install a new OS on flaky hardware is not a good idea.

But it is a good form of diagnosis. If he is still having the problems with a fresh install, then he knows the problem is the hardware.

Beware, though, if you activate Win7 OEM on one set of hardware, if it's defective, if you don't replace it with identical hardware, MS states that you have to purchase the OS all over again for the new hardware.

 

[Cogman]

But it is a good form of diagnosis. If he is still having the problems with a fresh install, then he knows the problem is the hardware.

Beware, though, if you activate Win7 OEM on one set of hardware, if it's defective, if you don't replace it with identical hardware, MS states that you have to purchase the OS all over again for the new hardware.

Microsoft really isn't that strict. The worst that will happen is he will have to contact them and tell them what happened. Microsoft is generally pretty good about this stuff.

 

[dguy6789]

Microsoft really isn't that strict. The worst that will happen is he will have to contact them and tell them what happened. Microsoft is generally pretty good about this stuff.

Yep. Upgrading your computer or replacing broken hardware is allowed with OEM software and they will activate it for you if you give them that reason for your new activation.

 

[Scotteq]

But it is a good form of diagnosis. If he is still having the problems with a fresh install, then he knows the problem is the hardware.

Admittedly since the damage is already done, the following is rhetorical anyhow... But: The issue I have with this approach is that there's an excellent chance to Roach an otherwise perfectly good install. Would it not be better to troubleshoot hardware/drivers first?

 

[9mak9]

Why aren't you considering that you might have hardware problems with your old computer? Trying to install a new OS on flaky hardware is not a good idea.

Yeah this is basically on target. I couldn't turn it on at all last night and I had a conversation with the Geek Squad about it. I brought it in this morning we starting playing around with it. Taking out the RAM, unplugging the video card, etc. and nothing we did allowed the computer to come on the screen. (pretty happy the geek squad didn't charge me for anything).

It looks like the PSU (because the fans took an extra few seconds to go on and then they would go off and back on; then we used a different PSU and it worked fine) and the motherboard might be done. I want to go to get a 2nd opinion just to see if that is the end result. I'm going to a computer repair place where hopefully he can replace both parts and test to see if that's actually the problem. Then I'll probably replace both parts and hope that it works.

I did buy both products off newegg and reading the manufacturing warranty on both pages it says that the gigabyte MB has a 3 year warranty and the Antec PSU had a 5 year warranty. Since I built this 2 1/2 years ago maybe then replace it...? Do you think it'll work?

I guess only time will tell now...