I bought Windows 7 back in November, but after reviewing the procedure for the clean install, I decided to wait until I could afford any possible computer downtime, so, I upgraded to Windows 7 a couple of days ago on my Dell Inspiron 1720. The Windows upgrade adviser recommended the upgrade, although the Dell support site does not have it on their list of models ready for Windows 7 upgrade.
I have been annoyed somewhat by the instability of Windows Vista for a while, especially because I decided not to renew Dell PC Tuneup last year, which is $39.99 per year. My computer worked well while using the software, but Vista should maintain itself without the aid of such applications. Vista seemed to do so before I ever used Dell PC Tuneup.
So, two nights ago, I decided to upgrade from Vista and selected the clean install during the upgrade process. It was an impulsive move, and I backed up my important files to my Seagate Freeagent GO 350GB external hard drive. However, I forgot that last November, I had learned about the Windows Easy Transfer method to move files and settings between operating systems.
I research and consider myself an informed consumer, but the only idea I have come up with to save my data, without any guarantee, is to use my Windows VISTA reinstallation DVD that came with my computer in 2008 and downgrade from Windows 7. Perhaps then I will be able to restore these files (from the external drive), but to Vista, and then initiate the Windows Easy Transfer process in Vista in order to secure the functionality of transferring my files into Windows 7 also via the Windows Easy Transfer tool.
Plugging in the external drive is not like my 4GB USB jump drive on my key chain. I have not located the individual files on the external hard drive. For example, such as when I use Word 2007 to see if there are word files on the external hard drive. I don't see any, but maybe the folder path is unusual.
During the upgrade, I remember reading a message that all of my old Windows Vista files would be stored in a folder (in case of a future downgrade). This seems to be more of a Microsoft issue than a Seagate issue. The Seagate website referred to Microsoft's. I am hopeful I won't lose all of my photo, music and document files. At this point, I would value any advice to help me restore these files to Windows 7 from my external hard drive without downgrading to Vista? Is downgrading to Vista the only option?