On October 22nd, 2009 Microsoft formally released and made available the full version of their newest operating system - Windows 7.  While Microsoft has never released into the marketplace a major operating system upgrade that was truly ready for general consumer use from the moment of its release, Windows 7 appears to be their first exception.  Word on the street is that Windows 7 is installing nicely without major glitches to your computing experience in its first public release form.  My experience upgrading folks so far is that it is going well.  I'll be keeping a very close watch on it for all of my clients.  Generally I recommend waiting at least 6 months for Microsoft to add several repair patches.  We'll see if this is necessary.

Here's another Windows 7 site that will help you decide which version of Windows 7 is best for you and what it will be able to do - just click New Features.  And, Newegg has a nice series of web pages that describe many of the features and reasons for upgrading to Windows 7.  Click the following "Reasons to Upgrade."  

Here are some systems requirements we know of for sure:

1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) CPU processor speed 
1 gigabyte (GB) RAM Memory ( for 32-bit systems) or 2 GB RAM (for 64-bit systems) (I personally suggest having nothing less than 2 GB, if you want to utilize the many add-on programs Microsoft offers to enhance the Windows 7 experience, such as Windows Live, etc..)
16 GB available hard disk space (for 32-bit systems) or 20 GB (for 64-bit systems)
DirectX 9 graphics program

To determine the above system requirements go to your computer's desktop, click on "Start," then right click "My Computer," scroll down and left click "Properties."  This will take you to a menu that will describe your CPU speed and current RAM memory.

You will need to decide which version of Windows 7 is correct for you.  I recommend you visit Newegg's website for pricing, by clicking NewEgg, and do a search on their site for "Windows 7" software, for the various editions offered.  Purchase the version right for you, and when you've received it give me a call and I will see to it that it is installed correctly and works beautifully for you. 

Now, what will it cost you to have me come out and upgrade your system?

As you will see from the Advisor website, if you have Vista the upgrade process might potentially be less difficult than if you have XP, but either way I believe you will appreciate having a technician walk you through it and make certain that the transition goes smoothly.  I've had clients try the simple upgrade approach and found it was not quite so simple as it was portrayed to be.  I look forward to assisting you in this!

Let me say this first off.  I'm going to recommend, that whether you have a Vista system currently or an XP system, I believe your experience with Windows 7 will be best experienced by having me come out and backup your personal data from your computer on to one of my external hard drives, delete the current partition on your hard drive, format the drive, and then load a fresh installation of Windows 7.  This will insure the cleanest and most certain transition, since nothing of the old system will remain (including hidden viruses...) to hinder or corrupt the new installation.  Then I will reload your personal data, install a set of special programs to protect your computer from viruses, and optimize your entire system for the best possible performance, along with several enjoyable programs I put on most of my client's computers.  But, if you currently have a Vista system and just want a quicker upgrade to Windows 7 then I can accomplish that for you too.  Either way...I'll get you up and going with the new!

Windows XP or Vista to Windows 7 - $100 (plus the cost of the Windows 7 software) 

If you are upgrading from Windows XP and your system passes the Microsoft Upgrade Advisor analysis it will tell you a "Custom Installation" will be necessary for your upgrade.  This means a Windows XP to Windows 7 upgrade will require removing all of your personal data, a removal of your current operating system, deleting the old partitions, formatting the hard drive, the installation of the new operating system, install any Windows updates, re-upload your personal data, and a considerable amount of time to accomplish this (I estimate 3 hours). The cost to upgrade your system, optimize your settings, and install several helpful programs and virus protections, will be the reasonable price of $100.

If you are upgrading from Windows Vista, because we have noted many instances where simply putting in the upgrade disk and telling your computer to go through with the automated upgrade process causes many errors or time delays, I am recommending we use the same process as would be used for upgrading from Windows XP.

Either way...I look forward to helping you make this exciting transition.  I believe it is the best operating system Microsoft has ever produced.  I've used it already myself and have found it very stable and far easier to get used to than Vista.  I've installed it on many of my clients computers already and they are reporting back to me that it is stable, enjoyable, easy to learn, and full of excellent new resources. 

I look forward to hearing from you to set up a time to help you with this transition.

I can be reached at 503-577-4201.