Need english speaker for Windows 10 upgrade, Kanchanaburi

[Tosca]

I live in Kanchanaburi & being severely disabled, I am housebound.  My Dell has Windows 7 Ultimate so needs to upgrade to Windows 10 Pro.  I am not computer literate.  Previously my son sorted any problems, but he died last year.  Ideally, I would like an english speaking techie to come to my home so we could discuss the process (especially as to whether my PC is capable of upgrading to W10).  I feel completely helpless.  I desperately need Internet access to keep me sane!  I would greatly appreciate any info or suggestions.  Sincere thanks.

[Eindhoven]

If it is running Windows 7, it can run Windows 10 Pro. Does it have a model number?

 

Nowhere near Kanchanaburi, so cannot help in that regard.

 

Easiest way for you is to simply upgrade over the top, though of course we don't know if you have a legitimate Windows 7 licence in the first place.

 

I usually suggest that people upgrade to a new SSD, especially when doing it themselves. That way they can always reattach the old HDD if there are any problems.

 

But not know how bad the disability, cannot suggest much.

 

But you can likely run the upgrade yourself since you can actually use a PC.

[sandyf]

First thing is not to panic, there is no urgency to upgrade. The reality is that you would probably find using Win 10 more difficult than the upgrade itself.

They are only withdrawing support this month, your computer is not going to stop working. I had Windows updates switched off on my Win 7 machine for long enough without any problem.

If you post a bit more info on the machine spec and the upgrade format I am sure there will be some assistance forthcoming. 

[Tosca]

Eindhoven......the disability is my knees.  My W7 is legit.  My PC is a Dell Optiplex 755 series,  BIOS Revision A10.  It is 32-bit.  What is an SSD and an HDD please?

[Tosca]

sandyf,,,,,,,have posted some details in my reply above.  What is the "upgrade format" please.

[dave s]

Microsoft used to have a program that you could download and run, that would tell you about any installed software that would likely stop working, and about any hardware that didn't have new drivers to make it work. This program seems to have vanished. E.g.,

    https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_other-windows_install/windows-7-81-10-compatibility-testing-for-windows/310e06a4-b181-45ec-ae6d-ee93a1632932

in section 2.1 says to "use the  Windows 10 upgrade checker [GWX]", and the hyperlink "http://download.microsoft.com/download/C/8/0/C8007C4E-D1DD-4922-A966-3A927E86A033/GWXWebWindows.exe" seems to point to an executable program, but if you download and run that link, it opens the same web page, all in Thai.

 

How mobile are you? Can you go to a nearby computer store like PowerBuy? Or do you trust Lazada?

 

Do you have a limited budget? Of how much money?

 

Do you have a desktop, or is it a laptop? If it is a desktop, open the back and look for the hard drive. Is there another slot above or below it, where you could insert another hard drive? If so, I would follow the suggestion above to buy and install an SSD (Solid State Drive: no magnets inside, just densely packed transistors). For example,

    https://www.lazada.co.th/products/240-gb-ssd-wd-green-sata-3-synnex-nava-it-group-i257631715-s396934434.html?spm=a2o4m.pdp.recommendation_2.3.57cd3227O6lxhf&mp=1&scm=1007.16389.126158.0&clickTrackInfo=c6452098-e6a3-4b72-aa1f-d264a8a2ce74__257631715__14385__trigger2i__124582__0.306__0.3228504__0.0__0.64300835__0.425365__0.5653869__2__1__PDPV2V__244__null__1__0__

I'm not recommending this one drive, just giving you an example, but note that the seller has a 96% rating, and buyers have rated the drive 4.9 of of 5. If you're going to buy a new drive, an SSD is best. Then you can leave your existing drive untouched, and if you do anything wrong, your can just go back to your old Hard Disk Drive (HDD). Cheap insurance, if you ask me.

 

Buy a Windows 10 license key. Example from a quick search:

    https://www.lazada.co.th/products/windows-10-pro-64-bit-32-bit-key-1pc-i378456491-s736866349.html?spm=a2o4m.searchlist.list.1.fc4c6cf1aYVDL7&search=1

Seller rated 93%, product 4.8 out of 5. You will probably get an e-mail with the magic number, and a snail mail sheet of paper a couple days later.

 

So get Windows off the net. Buy a USB 3.0 drive of at least 8GB. Example from a quick search:

    https://www.lazada.co.th/products/kingston-usb-flash-drives-32-gb-usb-30-8gb-16gb-pendrives-64gb-128gb-datatraveller-g4-plastic-warranty-cap-pen-drives-memory-disk-i638000928-s1222430766.html?spm=a2o4m.searchlist.list.35.2ea21818wjMvDF&search=1

Follow the directions on the web page above to wipe it clear and put the Windows 10 installer onto it. Be sure you ask for 32 bit Win10. during the install.

 

Open all the programs you use regularly and select the "About" or "Help" menu. Is there a current 32 bit version? Then download that to install on your new Win10 system on the SSD. If the program has a lot of settings, you will need to punch them in again, but you can still look at the old version by booting your old HDD to Win7. No 32 bit version any more? Well, in desperation, you could still boot Win7 long enough to run that program.

[dave s]

Note that your Win7Pro will not stop booting next week. But from then on, any time a hacker thinks up a new kind of evil, Microsoft will no longer send you patches to fix these problems, and so any "script kiddie" who reads hacker discussions can trash your machine. Oh, wait, if you inidivually pay them a huge subscription fee, they will still send you personally the patches for their mistakes, for a few more months. But, you won't get updates for any new features that make pigs dance across your screen. Oh, bummer! How could you live without that?

[dave s]

Do you own and use Microsoft Office? Not Office365. Office2019 only works in Win10. On Win7 I use Office2016. You can buy an Office key number, download the Office installer to your USB 3.0 drive, install Office to the SSD to use with your new Win10 system. Works fine on my laptop and old Acer desktop.

[dave s]

If no one is nearby in your province to do the work for you, you could always arrange to be on LINE or Skype or some chat app to an expert while you work yourself, and send photos of the computer screen back and forth. After all, we do live in the 14th century! Oh, wait, no, that's Monty Python. "Bill Gates is a witch! And he turned me into Windows 3.1!"

 

(If you haven't seen the movie, get a new perspective on Microsoft: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yp_l5ntikaU)

[Eindhoven]

1 hour ago, Tosca said:

Eindhoven......the disability is my knees.  My W7 is legit.  My PC is a Dell Optiplex 755 series,  BIOS Revision A10.  It is 32-bit.  What is an SSD and an HDD please?

 

Considering the latest BIOS revision is A22, that is somewhat behind the times.

 

I would suggest that you obtain a USB 2.0 Flash drive of at least 8 GB in capacity, not USB 3.0. Will come back to this thread after dinner.

 

 

[sandyf]

22 hours ago, Tosca said:

sandyf,,,,,,,have posted some details in my reply above.  What is the "upgrade format" please.

How do you intend to do the upgrade, as a download from Microsoft or have you bought a Win 10 installation disk.

[sandyf]

22 hours ago, Tosca said:

sandyf,,,,,,,have posted some details in my reply above.  What is the "upgrade format" please.

Fairly good summary on the process here.

https://pureinfotech.com/upgrade-to-windows-10-from-windows-7/

[Tosca]

21 hours ago, Eindhoven said:

 

Considering the latest BIOS revision is A22, that is somewhat behind the times.

 

I would suggest that you obtain a USB 2.0 Flash drive of at least 8 GB in capacity, not USB 3.0. Will come back to this thread after dinner.

 

 

Thank you everyone, for all the advice.  Sadly, it is all way beyond my level. My most sophisticated move is cut & paste!  I wish I understood it all though.  So.....still looking for an english speaking computer technician in Kanchanaburi!

[dave s]

On 1/6/2020 at 7:13 PM, Eindhoven said:

 

Considering the latest BIOS revision is A22, that is somewhat behind the times. I would suggest that you obtain a USB 2.0 Flash drive of at least 8 GB in capacity, not USB 3.0.

I'm sorry: my concern was that transferring a lot of data at USB 2 rather than USB 3 speed might take forever. But Eindhoven wisely notes that my suggestion is useless if your older hardware only supports USB 2

[EricTh]

On 1/6/2020 at 5:14 PM, Tosca said:

sandyf,,,,,,,have posted some details in my reply above.  What is the "upgrade format" please.

You don't need to upgrade to Windows 10 to access the internet.

 

Why do you need to upgrade? Windows 7 can do the job well enough.

 

 

[Tosca]

EricTh:    Because Microsoft is ending support for Windows 7 on 14th Jan.  There will be no further patches etc, allowing hackers to cause bedlam.  So W7 will gradually grind to a halt!  (See dave s's post above)

[Isaanbiker]

On 1/6/2020 at 5:11 PM, Tosca said:

Eindhoven......the disability is my knees.  My W7 is legit.  My PC is a Dell Optiplex 755 series,  BIOS Revision A10.  It is 32-bit.  What is an SSD and an HDD please?

SSD = Solid State Drive a hard drive without moving parts like a memory stick. HDD =Hard Disk Drive.

 

   I can walk you though if you want an upgrade. perhaps on the weekend? 

 

Perhaps you can do it alone?

[ToYoungToRetire]

For people who are tech challenged and rarely do anything processor intensive I highly recommend a "Chrome Book". 

 

Its a small computer that runs on a modified Google Android OS, the same OS as the phone. That being said it can use almost all of the apps a Andoid phone can with convience of a large screen, full keyboard usb ports. Mine even has a HDMI output for connecting to a real monitor or TV. 

 

WIth the USB ports and HDMI you could use it as a full computer. 

 

I've had one for years, I use it as my travel laptop. Its slightly smaller than a regular laptop and much lighter make it great for travel. You can get full laptop sized Chrome Books, I didnt want that. 

 

The best part is you can a decent one for $300, and unlike a computer they are very hard to break things on or get a virus. 

 

For example

 

https://www.dell.com/en-us/work/shop/cty/pdp/spd/chromebook-11-3180-laptop/bts003c318011us?

[dave s]

Technically, if you are totally desperate, and you satisfy certain conditions, you can buy (only) security patches for Windows 7 for the next 3 years.

    https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/blog/2019/10/01/windows-small-midsize-businesses-stay-secure-current/

    https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4527878

 

OK, but there's no pricing on those web pages.

    "How much does a yacht cost?"

    "If you have to ask, you can't afford one."

Rumored to be US$50 per 1 year for 1 machine, $100 the second year, $200 the third.

[ravip]

On 1/6/2020 at 3:41 PM, Tosca said:

Eindhoven......the disability is my knees.  My W7 is legit.  My PC is a Dell Optiplex 755 series,  BIOS Revision A10.  It is 32-bit.  What is an SSD and an HDD please?

Dell Optiplex 755 Compact Computer
Optiplex 755
Celeron Processor
2 GB DDR2 Dell Optiplex 755 RAM
160 GB HDD Hard Drive
Windows XP Pro SP2 or Vista Business
USB, Ethernet, serial, parallel, VGA ports

 

If this is the configuration, it could be tricky with Windows 10 - especially with 2GB RAM?

[Tosca]

Isaanbiker:  thank you for the offer.  But if I strike a problem I'll be doomed!  I just don't have the confidence to try the free download.  What if my PC just can't handle it?  

 

And thanks to all who have contributed. 

[worgeordie]

I installed Win 10 Pro on my daughters old laptop,it was slow as ****,

had to revert to Win 7 Ultimate, i would not worry about patches,updates

for Windows 7,  her computer has had neither for years,and never had

a virus,just has good Anti Malware  Emsisoft installed.

 

Recommend you just stick to your old laptop if its working OK now,

get another couple of years out of it, then buy something new. installing

Win 10 could be disappointing for you.

 

regards worgeordie

[Eindhoven]

23 minutes ago, worgeordie said:

I installed Win 10 Pro on my daughters old laptop,it was slow as ****,

had to revert to Win 7 Ultimate, i would not worry about patches,updates

for Windows 7,  her computer has had neither for years,and never had

a virus,just has good Anti Malware  Emsisoft installed.

 

Recommend you just stick to your old laptop if its working OK now,

get another couple of years out of it, then buy something new. installing

Win 10 could be disappointing for you.

 

regards worgeordie

 

 

I have Windows 10 Pro running normally on a laptop from 2007. I suggest that you didn't do a good job with your daughter's laptop. If you need some help with it, I'd be happy to do so.

 

Model number, specification etc.

[worgeordie]

1 minute ago, Eindhoven said:

 

 

I have Windows 10 Pro running normally on a laptop from 2007. I suggest that you didn't do a good job with your daughter's laptop. If you need some help with it, I'd be happy to do so.

 

Model number, specification etc.

No installed with genuine installation disc, which I have also

used to install Win 10 Pro on the other mini pc's i have ,they

are all working good, so i think i know what i am doing.

 

It's just that on her old laptop very slow ,unusable, win 7 working

good.

regards Worgeordie

[Eindhoven]

53 minutes ago, Tosca said:

Isaanbiker:  thank you for the offer.  But if I strike a problem I'll be doomed!  I just don't have the confidence to try the free download.  What if my PC just can't handle it?  

 

And thanks to all who have contributed. 

 

What's the Service Tag/Express code of your PC?

 

https://www.dell.com/support/home/th/en/thbsd1/

 

https://www.dell.com/support/contents/th/en/thbsd1/article/product-support/self-support-knowledgebase/locate-service-tag/Desktops

 

The fact is, your PC is from 2007. It needs updating or replacing. But you can continue to run it on Windows 7. Nothing bad will happen.

 

Upgrading to Windows 10 will likely just continue a possibly painful experience. I would recommend an inexpensive SSD for it. They start from 500 baht.

 

I actually have a friend in Kanchanaburi right now, but she doesn't know anything about computers. So i'd have to talk her through it in much the same way that I would you.

 

Sorry cannot be more help.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Eindhoven]

14 minutes ago, worgeordie said:

No installed with genuine installation disc, which I have also

used to install Win 10 Pro on the other mini pc's i have ,they

are all working good, so i think i know what i am doing.

 

It's just that on her old laptop very slow ,unusable, win 7 working

good.

regards Worgeordie

 

There must be a reason for that and it's not Windows 10. The laptop that I am currently using is thirteen years old. So age might not be a factor either.

But I upgraded to 4 GB of RAM and a cheap SSD.

But if you don't want to troubleshoot it, we'll leave it at that.