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General discussion

Help! My laptop will not upgrade to Windows 10

Jun 17, 2016 4:43PM PDT

I have a Lenovo G555 laptop, circa 2010. It has Windows 7 home premium, 4GB RAM, 160GB HDD (not much on it), etc. Received one of those "Upgrade to Windows 10" reminders and went for it. It wouldn't go! Froze at 99% finished. Called MS Answer Desk and a tech helped me redo it. Still did not go. Next day, another MS tech, same thing. The latest tech guy said it was because my BIOS would not allow me to change my operating system...fancy that. He said I'd have to contact Lenovo. So, I did. What a disaster! They wanted me to pay a premium fee to find out how or if my computer would accept Windows 10. I declined their ridiculous offer! Bottom line from them and from research I attempted on the Net, Win10 is "no can do" on this laptop. So, even though MS says if you have Windows 7, you can upgrade to Windows 10, someone is not telling the whole story. By the way, I also used MS tool to check "is your computer capable of running Windows 10" and it said yes. Maybe some of your followers can help me get to Windows 10. As you know, the freebie for W10 expires July 29. If I can't get it for free, I "ain't" getting it. I'm not about to spend $119 for it, ever! Thanks for your time.

--Submitted by Larry A.

Discussion is locked

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Reserve Partition?
Jun 17, 2016 6:00PM PDT

It could very well be that the Reserve Partition doesn't have enough free space...

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Great advice
Jun 27, 2016 12:11AM PDT

I had the same issue, and this sorted it out. Thanks!

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Reserve Partition?
Jun 27, 2016 4:04PM PDT

And how does one go about changing the reserve partition, one would think as much as Billy's Gang is trying to force feed everyone WIN10 they would have coded that into the program to check and enlarge the partition.Would you not think that if it says it passes all the compatibility tests that would be one of them? or it is not compatible. DUUH!

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Lucky You
Jun 17, 2016 6:38PM PDT

You are very lucky now your machine will stay running and not crap out., Windows 10 is total junk.

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Not everybody hates Windows 10
Jun 18, 2016 3:29AM PDT

You are entitled to your opinion, dakrow1, but not everybody hates Windows 10. I think at least some things are better than in Windows 7. I'm running it on 2 Toshiba laptops in the UK & Spain.

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Not everybody hates Windows 10
Jun 24, 2016 6:48PM PDT

You are correct, not everyONE hates Windows 10. About 95% HATE Windows 10.

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Really ? Where did you get that % rate from ?
Jun 24, 2016 7:30PM PDT

I'd really like you to tell us where you got this 95% Hate info from ?
Lay it on us !
Give us some facts !
I upgraded three computers to Windows 10 without any problems and I'm just a noob.
Everything that was running prior to the upgrade is running fine after the upgrade but, you are scaring me and everyone else so...
Tell Us Why We Should Go Back To An Earlier OS ?
Really, Tell us !

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Waiting to meet someone who likes Windows 10
Jun 25, 2016 4:57AM PDT

I have yet to meet 1 person who likes windows 10. You may be the first!

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Me too
Jun 25, 2016 5:59AM PDT

Add me to the list of people that like it!!

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Second person
Jun 25, 2016 7:58AM PDT

I prefer Linux myself, but Windows 10 is a decent OS and I use it a lot. Things are looking up for MS and their plans for the future.

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Add Me Also
Jun 25, 2016 8:06PM PDT

I've been running Win 7 since the beta testing and 'jumped' to Win 10. I'm impressed with it.

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Really
Jun 25, 2016 7:20AM PDT

I have one laptop that worked after a lot of messing around. My other upgrades failed badly and I've been helping others to recover their computers after bad upgrades. Unless your motherboard bios , specific processor , video , audio and any other cards has been tested and approved for Win 10 then you will have constant troubles. I don't believe in making a computer into a boat anchor when it runs fine on previous vesions of Windows or Linux. If your device is more than 3 years old than the odds are some part of it will fail upon doing a Win 10 upgrade.

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Stay With That Which Works
Jun 25, 2016 10:44AM PDT

I agree! Stay with an operating system that is working. Upgrading to Windows 10 just because it is there is a mistake. If you really want Window 10, buy a new computer with it already loaded. For the few hundred dollars outlaws you will save yourself many weeks of frustration.

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(NT) In a word-- WMC
Jun 27, 2016 3:57PM PDT
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I must be that 5%
Jun 24, 2016 7:46PM PDT

Here I like one thing about 10 that made me a believer.

With W10 I no longer have to hunt down install media or CD KEYS.

Good riddance.

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Me too
Jun 24, 2016 8:03PM PDT

But strictly speaking as a guy with my limited knowledge,
I would really like to know where Hey_888 gets this "95% of people Hate Window 10" from ?
I know there was a small learning curve involved but other than that, everyone I know gets along just fine with Win 10.

So Hey_888 give us some facts !

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From a book
Jun 25, 2016 7:34PM PDT

I once read in a book of facts that 98% of all statistics are just made up

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I love Windows 10 so please don't speak for me
Jun 24, 2016 8:32PM PDT

Honestly get a life. I hate when people act like their opinion and the opinions of a few people they may know reflect the majorities opinion. The consensus I've seen across the tech and consumer world is that Win 10 is very good. The only people who seem to have a problem with it are the hardcore tech nerds who can't let go of win7. It's time to move on.

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It's also one of my pet peeves
Jun 24, 2016 8:41PM PDT

I do get very annoyed with people who think that they have a right to decide what other people should do with their machines and who think that they should preach their own opinions even when those opinions have nothing to do with helping some who asked for help.

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Good for you. Windows 7 suits me just fine.
Jun 29, 2016 8:14AM PDT

I'm not a hardcore tech nerd, and I prefer to stay with Windows 7 because it's proven to be a reliable and secure operating system. Having used Linux for several years, it was clear to me that it was more secure, more powerful and more dependable than Windows was, so for a Windows OS to be dependable, secure, and powerful is a big accomplishment for Microsoft. I agree with wwgorman who said above that you should stay with what works. There's no point in upgrading to a complicated new OS just because it offers the latest technology, if it means weeks of frustration trying to get it to work. I have more important work to do than that. If you get a thrill out of having the latest and greatest OS, and don't mind having to spend hours troubleshooting the installation, then go for it and upgrade to Windows 10.

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Win 10
Jun 25, 2016 1:10AM PDT

And just where is your supporting data, or did you pull that number out of thin air?

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50/50 Success Rate
Jun 25, 2016 3:56PM PDT

I am one that does not hate it. It seems almost as good as XP, and I really loved XP. It loaded fine on my Lenovo G572, but really messed up my wife's ASUS. It sort of loaded, but despite the earmark of an install it will NOT load the Start Menu (the four blue squares) etc on the task bar. Worse yet, this means no access to apps, at least via any normal means. Worst of all, Microsoft will not let me try again. Result, Microsoft Windows 10 has actually destroyed the usefulness of my wife's computer. She recently insisted on buying a Mac Air, and loves it. But I cannot even sell her old computer to recover a few bucks, although maybe it can be parted out.

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Hold on!
Jun 25, 2016 4:19PM PDT

Don't give up yet! You need to download the ISO of the Windows 10 version that is on your wife's computer and retrieve the key from the computer.

Look for Belarc Advisor and download it (on your wife's computer). If you cannot download it on her computer, then download it on yours and see if you can install it on hers. The first time it runs, scroll down to the software licenses. Find "Windows 8" (this is what it is called in Belarc Advisor) and look across to the numbers for it. There will be a string of characters and then another string in parenthesis, preceded by the word "key." Get a pen and paper and write that key down.

Next, go through the Belarc Advisor list of programs and write down all of the programs she has installed. For paid programs, locate the installation media or downloaded file to install from and any materials or instructions you need to reinstall those programs.

If your wife has not been keeping backups, now you need to try to perform one. If you have an exterior drive, then put it there. If not, then find either enough DVDs or flash drives to hold everything. You will need to read instructions about how to use any backup program you use.

Before proceeding, try to see if you can reset the computer to factory settings. If she has a windows standard keyboard, there will be a key on the bottom left between the ctrl and alt keys. It will either say win or have a windows logo on it. That key opens the start menu. You can navigate within the start menu using the arrow keys and the enter key. See if you can locate a program that begins a factory recovery. If so, then do that. The key for the old operating system is probably not needed, but if it is then it is located on a sticker somewhere on the computer.

If you cannot do this, then get the model number of the computer and look online (on your computer) for the user manual. These can usually be downloaded. Check the user manual for instruction on how to reset the computer. You might want to download the manual for later use.

Now you can decide if you want a clean install of Windows 10 or if you want to keep the old OS. It's up to you. Either one can legally be installed on the computer. If you want Windows 10, then use the ISO, burned to a DVD or flash drive, to install it.

Reinstall the software and replace any personal data from the backup you made. The computer should work fine.

I know I just skimmed over this. I do not know your level of expertise. If you need more help, ask.

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You may be able to roll back the OS
Jun 25, 2016 6:12PM PDT
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Maybe 90 percent, would you believe 50 percent?
Jun 29, 2016 10:37PM PDT

Since we all came here to help Larry, - remember Larry, - he's the guy having trouble with the upgrade. But first, add my name to the unofficial survey of persons who hate Windows 10. The appearance is the worst thing, the lack of themes etc. I really don't like anything about it but, I've been around long enough to know that things will get better and I think we should all give it a chance.

So Larry, that idea that Microsoft told you that your computer would upgrade to Windows 10 just may be the real problem. Not all computers running Window 7 will upgrade. The bugs seem to be worked out among the many programs that conflicted with the upgrade, especially antivirus programs. One of mine failed the first time but eventually worked after I uninstalled a conflicting antivirus program and tried again. I have finally upgraded every machine with only one ever having a problem. I don't think you need to worry about the upgrade at all. Just enjoy running Windows 7 while other people work the bugs out of 10. Nothing lasts for long and 10 will be on your next computer.

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The Windows Upgrade assistant checked my laptop said Okay.
Jul 28, 2016 11:54PM PDT

Later that evening, the laptop froze and then crashed (google search frozen upgrades), and now I can't recover or even boot my laptop. Can't uninstall something or roll back if you can't access the operating system.

I had one computer that upgraded, and another which is now junk. So I only 50% hate Windows 10, the half of me who lost his laptop he used when traveling for business.

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Me too
Jun 25, 2016 5:58AM PDT

I have it on four (4) machines and "LOVE IT"!

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Not everyone who just lost a working laptop, likes Windows10
Jul 28, 2016 11:44PM PDT

I just lost my laptop, too. I have Windows 10 on my desk top, it's just harder to use, just like every Microsoft Improvement (why I run open office), harder to find things, glad I have the old windows 8.1 HP QuickStart so I can find things as almost easily as in XP when you could access software or a command com line, but that's not why I am angry. The Windows 10 Free up grade just ruined my Windows 7 laptop which the upgrade assistant said should work but after 6 hours of being on stuck 99%, the laptop shut down, and now wants a windows installation disc which never came with the computer. Do I like the fact I no longer have a working laptop and will have to buy a new one, does that make like windows 10? The upgrade caused my lap top to crash and I can't recover it. So although Windows 10 may have it's adherents, it's has won any friends among those who lost computers. Windows 7 was less accessible than XP, Windows 8 and 8.1 lack of start button was a pain until a relative found a third party software to install one. Microsoft owes others and myself a disc to recover my laptop, but I am not holding my breath.

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Honestly...
Jun 24, 2016 7:50PM PDT

What is the point of this post? Most people like Windows 10 (Yes, that is right-- MOST people). Some people have had trouble, but that is not because Windows 10 is "junk." Why post if you don't have anything to say?

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If you computer crashed, you might hold the same opinion.
Jul 29, 2016 12:03AM PDT

I include those people who say they like Windows 10 as not having anything useful to say. Their appreciation hasn't helped the original poster on how to resolve his problem or for that matter mine an unrecoverable laptop which now no longer works. Any recommendations other than "buy a computer with pre-installed Windows 10" or that you like it. If upgrading fails, and you lose a computer then Windows 10 free upgrade isn't junk, it's a virus. I came to his thread to see if anyone had any plausible recommendation to my problem.