Datasheet

14 Chapter 1
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Installing Windows 7
If you are not sure if your machine meets the minimum requirements, Microsoft includes
some tools that can help you determine if a machine is Windows 7-compatible, which we
will look at in the following sections.
The Hardware Compatibility List
Along with meeting the minimum requirements, whenever possible your hardware should
appear on the Hardware Compatibility List (HCL). The HCL is an extensive list of
computers and peripheral hardware that have been tested with the Windows 7 operating
system. To determine if your computer and peripherals are on the HCL, check the most
up-to-date list at
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/compatibility/windows-7/en-us/
default.aspx
.
The Windows 7 operating system requires control of the hardware for stability,
effi ciency, and security. The hardware and supported drivers on the HCL have been put
through rigorous tests to ensure their compatibility with Windows 7. Microsoft guarantees
that the items on the list meet the requirements for Windows 7 and do not have any
incompatibilities that could affect the stability of the operating system.
If you call Microsoft for support, the fi rst thing a Microsoft support engineer will ask
about is your confi guration. If you have any hardware that is not on the HCL, you may not
be able to get support from Microsoft.
BIOS Compatibility
Before you install Windows 7, you should verify that your computer has the most current
BIOS. This is especially important if your current BIOS does not include support for
Advanced Confi guration and Power Interface (ACPI) functionality. ACPI functionality is
required for Windows 7 to function properly. Check the computer vendor’s website 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 come with an
extensive list of drivers. If your computer’s device drivers are not on the Windows 7
installation media, you should check the device manufacturer’s website. If you can’t fi nd
the device driver on the manufacturer’s website and no other compatible driver exists,
you may be out of luck, because Windows 7 will not recognize devices that don’t have
Windows 7 drivers.
New Install or Upgrade?
Once you’ve determined that your hardware meets the minimum requirements, you need
to decide whether you want to do an upgrade or a clean install. An upgrade allows you to
retain your existing operating system’s applications, settings, and fi les. If you currently have
a computer with Windows Vista, you are eligible to use an upgrade copy of Windows 7.
The bad news is that if you are moving from Windows XP or earlier versions of Windows
to Windows 7, you generally must perform a clean install. (You can, however, use the
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