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Question

XP to 7 migration headbang

Apr 13, 2014 1:38AM PDT

I am trying to migrate from XP to Windows 7 for the well known reasons. I've spent several days on this unwelcome resented task imposed by force. If I don't hear a way to do it by tomorrow I will give up and go out get a Mac or something (though I don't suppose my troubles will be instantly over). I resent this change for the same reason as other people, and doubly because I have two XP devices, a main computer and a Acer netbook.

Start with backups. I had never used the Windows Backup programme because I don't understand the concept, as will become evident. However I have often enough made copies of all my documents, photos and even music on an external disk and I have two on two disks up to date of everything.

It is given out that that is not enough and you have to have a copy of the soul of your computer which you do with a proper back up programme. So I did that with the computer Windows backup prog. and the result is a file .bkp and I can't see what is in it so I wonder what use that can be? If I click it it just takes me to doing the backup again. Also when doing it it tells me that at the end it will need to register information about my computer on a floppy. I didn't think they still existed but I got the last one my computer shop had, and it is far too small. Nor could I register anything on a CD and before I could try a pen drive I ran into other problems. Maybe this thing is unnecessary, two people told me 'don't bother'.

I started with my netbook. I went through the Windows 7 Upgrade Advosor thing. The only thing it told me I needed was an Atheros Ethernet Controller which I downloaded. Then I went to Windows Easy Transfer, have tried it 10 times, did disable antivirus, and each time it tells me failed because my computer is working in a different language than the transfer program. Headbang.

I think this means my computer language is Italian*, not some programming language. I was unable to find in Microsoft anything in Italian. I change the computer language into English (more hours wasted + it easily slips back). It still tells me same thing. Headbang.

There are some screwy things about downloading this. The panel for Run is in Italian whichever language I imposed on the computer and which displays in a bar and anyway it never seems to install and I have to download it each time I use it.

Any suggestions? Any migration programs THAT WORK?

*(My main computer speaks Italian because it is in Italy and my netbook too because I bought it there though I use it mostly outside Italy. I could have bought it UK, but I preferred an Italian version because because I preferred its keyboard which gives me accents etc. convenient for writing in Italian, French etc. as I have to do sometimes. The downside is it really means I have to deal with four languages, English, Italian, English computerese, and Italian computerese; knowing the first two and a smattering of the third is no guarantee of always understanding the fourth. I'd be glad of switching.the computer to English entirely, but not if the keyboard characters no longer correspond. )

Discussion is locked

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Answer
1. Don't use Microsoft backup software.
Apr 13, 2014 1:47AM PDT

Please ignore what they offer. It was barely usable back then and fails in so many ways that rather than discuss why we don't use it, let's move forward to what can save our files.

2. No. We can't move/save most applications.
Well done area again so let's move past this hot zone and get our files safe.

3. Backup. For me that's any files I want to preserve. I use simple copy and paste from my old machine to external hard drives. Plural? Yes. One copy is not safe enough. I'll make a copy of what I can't lose then use software like SyncBack to synchronize a pair of external drives.

Now I can hide one of those until later. I can also use DropBox for a few free GB of extra can't lose space.

-> I have used Microsoft's Easy Transfer and it does work as advertised. Do you need to re-discuss the old topic of why applications don't migrate?
Bob

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Thank you
Apr 16, 2014 8:13AM PDT

It is a relief to hear that this thing is rubbish. There is no other way I could know it's not me having wasted a lot of time on it and done something to one of my computers. Further report and next questions in another post.

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Yes it was rubbish.
Apr 16, 2014 9:41AM PDT

Microsoft explained in later years it was to accommodate NT users. Frankly it didn't do that very well either. After this many years, I continue to treat Microsoft's backup offerings as suspect and rubbish. It's a mystery why they never took it seriously. That is, if you backup on XP with their software, how to restore on Windows Vista, 7 and 8? A true mystery and my bet it has to do with something about how they were stuck in 2000 or later times.

The new CEO has not as many ties to the past and I wish the new teams well.
Bob

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Another question
Apr 16, 2014 10:01PM PDT

So now I need for the reasons you said a second copy of my system backup. I think. Do I, did I? Even if I am going to change system? Is 'System' the same thing as OS?

If so, and need to know anyway, I'd now need to free space on my second external disk. Getting rid of the large .bkp file I mentioned in para 3 of my first post would do it. I repeat, I don't know what's in it, computer data or that + all my files. (Also repeat I do have 2 external copies of all my data files, documents & photos). In latter case should I delete this .bkp folder or for safety should I shred it? If I just delete it, will I be able to wash it later, and how?, or will everything stay there for all time? I think if I try to shred it now it will take 12 h or more and send my computer into Tilt.

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Shred?
Apr 16, 2014 10:08PM PDT

Why? A tap of the delete key is all I ever needed to delete a file (and maybe an empty of the recycle bin.)

The reason we keep a backup of the system (do we need to define that?) is that some folk can't restore the OS, apps and their files so one complete copy (and a second for safety) is the way to go.

12 Hours? Sorry but the longest delete I have to date is just over an hour.
Bob

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What is shred FOR?
Apr 16, 2014 11:52PM PDT

What is shred FOR in that case? It didn't used to be an option. Now if I right-click a Word document Adobe document I get offered as well as delete, Shred (Wash with bleach). Recently or recently noticed in my netbook where Macaffee is installed I also get offered a Macaffee shred on any document.

I had for some years been hearing Watch Out, when you delete something it isn't really deleted like you think, you can't see it but someone who knows how can recover it. Only a couple of years ago these options were either not there or hidden away and I had used a program called Window Washer that does that, and is also claimed to wash the disk 'slack space' where fragments of your documents end up I read.

Because the programs overwrite the data several times I think, it was understandable it took more time than just dropping it into a bin.

Is this all urban legend? What are these shred features for?

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Re: shred
Apr 17, 2014 12:17AM PDT

Shred isn't standard Windows, neither XP nor 7. So it's coming from something you installed yourself. We don't know what you installed, so I can't say what program that is.

As you write, it's a term for overwriting a file with random data before deleting it. It can be useful if the data is so sensitive that you don't want anybody to see it after they stole your laptop or got illegitimate access to it and run 'undelete' software.
For example, you download child pornography and have reason to suppose that your girlfriend will make of copy of your hard disk to go and search for it or give it to the FBI.

Kees

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Thanks for telling more.
Apr 17, 2014 1:32AM PDT

I deal with folk that need to recover data so you can imagine I don't like the idea of shred or encrypted drives which mean that the data they want to recover is gone. Well, it can often be the start of the conversation about what is and is not backup.

It's not funny that many folk "backup" but if you took out the boot drive of their PC and put in a blank, most can recover (we call the "restore.") What good is backup you can't use?
Bob

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Answer
In addition to Bob's excellent suggestions...
Apr 13, 2014 2:18AM PDT

...I use Easeus Todo Backup Free for backup. It's free, you can download it from the Easeus web site. It supports XP, Vista, Windows 7 & 8. It will back up your entire XP system, then you can install it on your Windows 7 system and selectively restore your data. As Bob points out, applications have to be reinstalled, so I hope you've saved the install media for them. I used to use Norton Ghost 15, but good old Symantec has pulled the plug on it. You can still get it from Amazon if you prefer, but they want $95 for it, and the Easeus program works just as well. I do have to confess I've never done anything with an Italian language computer FWIW.
`
If you'd rather use a different backup program for some reason, CNET has a lot of backup program reviews at
http://download.cnet.com/windows/backup-software/?tag=contentBody;sideBar .

Some of these are free (last time I checked there were over 300), some have free trials (over 1000), and some are purchase only (over 200).
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External hard drives are best for backup. You can get a 500 GB one for around $50 and a 1 TB one for around $60. You can also buy a 32 GB flash drive for under $20.

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I hope this helps. Good luck

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Made Home Base - what next?
Apr 16, 2014 9:03AM PDT

Thank you. I have not come back before as I had a lot of difficulty getting and installing the free Easeus Todo backup, but I have this morning got one 'System backup' 67 GB on one external disk. I will copy it onto another external disk tonite - this takes about 3 h. Was this actually needed or useful? I already had copies of my ornery document etc. files.

I was reminded in doing this that things are not what they seem or what they say, words no not always mean what they seem to mean. Reading the material I became suspicious that I do not necessarily understand what 'migrate' means. Maybe it means you already have a place and you just move your stuff in here? So to avoid misunderstanding what I want is to GET Wjndows 7 on my existing computers, and move this stuff I have saved for it into there.

As an example of confusing, baffling, bamboozling and stultifying computerspeak

"Free Download of Windows 7

Free download with idownloadsoft Downloader
File size: 1900.00 MB
License: Trialware
Price: $199.99
Released: Oct 13, 2009
Author: Microsoft
Author URL: http://www.microsoft.com
Advertisement"

So when I see a free download costs $199.99, it leaves me wondering how much a paid-for one costs? Logically I'd have said it must be at least $200, but I no longer trust my own logic with what I've been through with computers.

Anyway I don't want to pay $200, not even $199.99, probably X2, to adapt my old computers. I'd rather buy a new one (Mac) in that case or see if I can subsist on I-pad + Cloud.

So (and given I couldn't make Easy Transfer work at all, see first post) what resource do you recommend me to do that job?

I have other related problems and requests for help I'll put in another post.

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Problems Internet connection and computer glued up
Apr 16, 2014 9:54AM PDT

1. So hopefully I will be able use my main old computer for Windows7. But I also have a (more recent, 2001) netbook and Acer Aspire. Which was working better than the main (see below). However in the course of going in circles trying to install Easy transfer I did delete some programs or stuff there that looked useless. Whether for this or other reason I can no longer get onto Internet with it. Either with Firefox or other browsers. I have found out about exceptions for the firewall and Macaffee and I think I have the necessary exceptions. I get

"Problem loading page.
! The connection to the server was reset while the page was loading...

And it's not that the netbook won't communicate wirelessly - I can print from it and while the above blockage held I was still able to browse normally via an installed proxy (Proxify). So from the computer I can make some wireless connections. (Unfortunately I can't use the Proxy either now because I removed that in the course of my playing with it, and I guess I can't get it back till I get wireless generally back.)

Has anyone any suggestions of what the problem is and how I can get back to ordinary functioning?

2 Back on my main computer it has in the last couple of months often been behaving like someone had poured glue into it. Getting stuck. I also been assailed by offers of registry cleaners, CleanmyPc, PCcleaner etc. which I never bought but one or two might have got installed in my programs. They tell me my system is full of errors. Are there any computer glue solvents you recommend? Should I do something before I hopefully switch to W7 or would it be left behind anyway when I switch?

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you sound like malware is on your system
Apr 18, 2014 5:50AM PDT

There's a virus and security forum which can offer advice on best programs to run and also will urge you to avoid believing every webpage popup which tells you how corrupted your computer is, since they'd not really know anyway unless they already were accessing something they'd managed to put on it, or you'd been duped into installing. There's a lot of fake "security software" out there that is just a ripoff and will itself infect you.

Microsoft's Security Essentials

AVG antivirus

Avast antivirus

MalwareBytes

are all good programs, safe to use.

Some people object to registry cleaners, but I find EasyCleaner2 to be helpful if I have to manually remove some program and want the dregs of it removed from the registry since the removed program wouldn't remove itself, even from Add/Remove Programs icon in Control Panel.

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Done that and thank you - question arising
Apr 25, 2014 4:56AM PDT

Thank you, that seems very useful.
Before seeing it I had just yesterday attacked this problem for the first time seriously. I do have AVG free version firewall and antivirus btw that scans every day but almost always reports clean bill of health, seems rarely to find anything. So I went through all my programs (numbers of which I did not know what they are) found out what they are on the net and about half a dozen were mal or ad ware. Most of the sites that told me how bad or dangerous they are were offering a special program to download that specifically eliminates the particular nasty, sometimes for payment! So from all I've heard I should be wary of those too!? so I just disinstalled them in the XP My Computer thing.

I had probably installed them all myself, misled by their attractive sounding offers of protection plus warnings of doom if you don't. I sort of knew you should resist this - but I think I only resisted 99% of the time which is not enough. (This gluedupess has only been severe the last 2 months or so, I havent always had it.)

That seemed to unglue the computer to an extent but various indications suggested this is not a complete job, that there remained some dregs as you say. So I have just now applied your suggestion of EasyCleaner 2 . I would not have known of it without you, and I keep hearing Don't use these registry cleaners (this one even explains what a registry cleaner is!) and most of those that presented themselves led to an invitation fo pay. I've only just done it (removed registry and temporary files) but I have impression it has unstuck the system some more.

Question arising: all this was on the way to changing my OS. I have done a System Backup onto 2 other disks using ToDo. Logic tells me I should delete those backups and do it again from my now cleaned C disk - or is that unnecessary, this pollution is not carried over into backups?

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Since there is no upgrade from XP to 7
Apr 25, 2014 7:57AM PDT

All I even would need to do is to remove the partition that held XP. Now when the Windows 7 DVD boots and its installer runs, you can offer it the unpartitioned space to install to.

If you don't do this, the Windows 7 install should fail for reasons well discussed. That is, the partition scheme changed radically from 7 and you may as well let the installer do the work then later you can work on your GRUB repairs.
Bob

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definitely should do new backups
Apr 25, 2014 8:00AM PDT

Also the Ctrl-Alt-Del key combo will let you see all running processes and you can google each one of them and see if there's anything you missed that's malware. MalwareBytes is a safe program. Any others I'd ask first in CNET's virus forum.

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Very good - done that, one small thing hanging over
Apr 26, 2014 1:43AM PDT

I used the MalwareBytes recommended by you and James Dennison. It picked up more than 500 items! I don't really understand what they all are, but lots are associated with my browsers and names like ...\firefox\...blahnumberaoku0293r5ao&stuff or chrome or media player. Some had names of nuisances I'd combatted and more or less got rid of in last few weeks, one is called awesome. One or two had names like view password or search password, I hope that's not sinister. They are now in quarantine. Normally it should be OK to delete them?

Thank you as these are things I could never have guessed, or risked even if I guessed, I don't think you can find out about things like this in For Dummies books.

You say definitely do another backup. I will (have to for space) delete the previous one, but wity all this rubbish I ask again is it OK to just delete or better to shred, I mean aren't viruses infectious?

It looks like everyone should have a program like MalwareBytes doing regular scans additional to firewall and antivirus?

There is still one dreg left. When I turn on my computer or browsing a ittle window comes up saying Error Uniblue SpeedUpMyPC , Application will be closed" and I close the window. It was another thing I had combatted and maybe now harmless - however I cannot find any trace of this popup I suppose it is in the places mentionsed like My Computer or ctrl/Alt/del or searching. Maware tips talks about this http://malwaretips.com/blogs/uniblue-speedupmypc-2014-removal/#malwarebytes . I particular it recounts; <i>Uniblue SpeedUpMyPC 2014 is a paid system optimizer program that is
typically added when you install another free software (video
recording/streaming, download-managers or PDF creators) that had bundled
into their installation this program. Very often users have no idea
where did it come from, so it's not surprising at all that most of them
assume that Uniblue SpeedUpMyPC 2014 is a virus. This program is also
bundled within the custom installer on many reputable download sites, so
if you have downloaded a software from these websites, chances are that
Uniblue SpeedUpMyPC 2014 was installed during the software setup
process.
Uniblue SpeedUpMyPC 2014 it's technically not a virus, but it does exhibit plenty of malicious traits,
</i>So it may not be that much my fault it got to my system.

Is it just me or is it general that of recent you cannot download a new program for anything without this bad compamny and without it trying to take over your browser or at least your toolbars amd your Search program.

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I only download from the author's sites
Apr 26, 2014 2:12AM PDT

If you download from the general download sites like download.com, you're almost guaranteed to pick up nasty things. Unfortunate, but that's the current state of things. I've had good luck downloading from the author's sites like malwarebytes.org, easeus.com, google.com, mozilla.org, etc. In addition to MalwareBytes, I keep the Revo uninstaller in my toolkit for things I can't uninstall the normal way.
`
Good luck.

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a lot of malware out there
Apr 26, 2014 4:23AM PDT

the worst are the ones which pretend to give free scan, then claim you have a lot wrong that isn't, want you to download and install their software which often is spyware, adware, crapware, trojan, or virus. Many then start popups about paying them money, sometimes craps the computer unless you pay up, a form of extortion, and even that won't get it back working properly. You have to investigate thoroughly at forums to be sure. Some of the mainline ones are OK still, or at least safe, not deliberately interfering, Norton's, Symantec, McAfee, Avast, Grisoft's AVG, Trend, Kaspersky. You just have to be careful, at least in Windows. When I used windows instead of Linux I used Avast on w2k and AVG on XP along with MalwareBytes, and EasyCleaner2 for various tasks it has in it.

If your computer was that messed up, if it was my computer that messed up, I'd probably find just the files or data I wanted saved and start over with a fresh install, load all the updates, then lock it down with good antivirus and malware protection, quit believing every site that claimed I had something I didn't and wanted me to install their stuff. Never put two AV programs on or running at the same time. In Linux I ONLY download from the repositories which are controlled by each Linux distro and all software, even third party is vetted first and if it's not it's rated below 3 which I never see since I don't allow any rating below that to appear in my updates available.

Hopefully you can sufficiently clean your system so you don't have to do a complete reload and update.

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remove uniblue
Apr 26, 2014 4:44AM PDT
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Done that but no change
Apr 26, 2014 9:32AM PDT

I now reset Firefox but the SpeedUpMyPC window appears like before. It happens when I switch on the computer.

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(NT) boot first into safe mode, then do it all
Apr 26, 2014 11:06PM PDT
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Re: remove speedupmypc
Apr 26, 2014 11:15PM PDT
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I second that
Apr 18, 2014 5:36AM PDT
http://www.todo-backup.com/products/home/free-backup-software.htm

Above is what I use. It can also cut it into parts that are just the right size to burn onto CDR or DVDR disc, you choose which you need. Or can be one monolithic file, but I'd advise keeping file sizes just a bit under 4GB to be backward compatible if/when needed by a 32 bit OS.

When I am donating a computer or doing an "at cost" for someone, I use this to create custom restore disc for the person, in case they need it.

Also, if you get to the point you are heading out the door to just buy a new computer, then first turn back and give a Linux distro a try. Both Ubuntu and Kubuntu have new Long Term Support Releases which are supported till 2019 and Mint Linux will come out with their LTS version 17 end of May. I use Mint 16 interim right now, have some windows programs running on WINE in it, and it's just such a feeling of being free from Microsoft with a good operating system which doesn't call home nor expect me to jump through activation and verification hoops. Oh yeah, no AV program needed to drag it down either.
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Answer
Am I too late to help?
Apr 20, 2014 2:42AM PDT

The one question you didn't answer in your original post is whether you intended to upgrade your existing computers from Windows XP to WIndows 7, or whether you were planning to buy computers with WIndows 7 already installed, and migrate your programs/data from the old computer(s) to the new ones.

Making backups is a safeguard you should already have in place, but this step is not necessary if you will be transferring to a different computer (the original computer will still be there in the event of a failed migration).

Before deciding to migrate to Windows 7, you should give some thought to how you use your computer. If you use programs that can only work on WIndows systems (e.g. accounting software, games that install directly on your PC, etc.) you will need to stick with Microsoft.

But, if all you do is surf, send email, work with Microsoft Office, and use social media, you can do that with other, free alternatives (such as Ubuntu or other versions of Linux). Deciding to go off the beaten path has some risks, and assumes you can live without Microsoft's ecosystem - but if you can, there are benefits.

And, if you decide you need to stay with Microsoft, decide whether you have all your original software titles on CD or downloads (so you can install them again), or if not, consider using the program PCmover by Laplink - the only program I'm aware of that can move data AND PROGRAMS from your old operating system to the new one. Keep in mind that not every program will migrate correctly, but the majority will.

I created a short survey for my clients who are unsure of their options. Feel free to use it if you think it might help you decide. http://safe-and-secure-computing.com/surveys/index.php?sid=26531&lang=en

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Not too late! :)
Apr 26, 2014 11:38AM PDT

"consider using the program PCmover by Laplink "

I intend to do that. I have passed the last 2 or 3 days cleaning up and still need to do some re-saving. I have to go away from base in just over 2 days time, I may or may not try it before or if this is as complicated as what I've been doing may leave it till I come back.

That's for my main computer. But I also have my netbook which I will take with me to do. However I still have the headbanging problem mentioned in my 4/16 post - I cannot get online anymore with it with any browser!

Looking around I found on Firefox a suggestion to remove the exception in the firewall that prevents the firewall blocking the browser and then restore it. But HEADBANG! I have spent hours trying to find the damned thing! I remember putting the exceptions not long ago, maybe removing and restoring it. Not difficult then, but now I go to Macaffee firewall, click on every button and can't find anything about exceptions! HEADBANG!!

Can anyone help?!! All this headbanging for inches of progress is getting me down. Sad

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military
Apr 26, 2014 11:08PM PDT

My daughter's a Marine. You need to download all programs installation files you might need and burn them to a CD or DVD so you can have on hand wherever you TDY to. Your online access time or bandwidth may be limited there, so better to have all you need to correct installed programs available on disc.