Datasheet

Chapter 1
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Installing Windows 7
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The HCL will let you know if your hardware is compatible with
Windows 7. Besides the basic RAM, video, hard drive, and CPU
requirements, there are some other areas of the computer that you
should examine for compatibility.
BIOS Compatibility
Before you install Windows 7, verify that your computer has the
most current BIOS (Basic Input/Output System). This is especially
important if your current BIOS doesn’t include support for Advanced
Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) functionality. ACPI function-
ality is required for Windows 7 to function properly. Check the com-
puter’s vendor for the latest BIOS version information.
Driver Requirements
To successfully install Windows 7, you must have the critical device
drivers for your computer, such as the hard drive device driver. The
Windows 7 media comes with an extensive list of drivers. If your com-
puter’s device drivers are not on the Windows 7 installation media,
check the device manufacturer’s website. If you can’t find the device
driver on the manufacturer’s website and no other compatible driver
exists, you are out of luck. Windows 7 won’t recognize devices that
don’t have Windows 7 drivers.
If your hardware does not have drivers for Windows 7, be sure to
check the hardware manufacturers’ websites often because new drivers
for Windows 7 are released frequently.
After you have made sure that the hardware for your machine is
compatible for Windows 7, the next decision to make is how you’re
going to install the operating system.
New Install or Upgrade?
When installing Windows 7, you have two choices: you can install a
fresh copy of Windows 7 or you can upgrade from Windows Vista.
An upgrade allows you to retain your existing operating system’s
applications, settings, and files. If you currently have a computer with
Windows Vista, you are eligible to use an upgrade copy of Windows 7.
However, the bad news is you must always perform a clean install
with Windows XP or earlier editions of Windows. You can, however,
use the Windows Easy Transfer utility to migrate files and settings from
Windows XP to Windows 7 on the same computer.
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