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augustin
new user
Reg'd: Tue
Posts: 24
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Hi, I am about to install Windows 7, I have XP at the moment. I have transfered all my important files, photos, music etc to a portable hard disc, but I do not know what to do about my email accounts. Do I just leave them on XP, and re-install them when I have installed my new operating system, and when I do will all my addresses and saved emails still be there. If not how do I transfer the data to the new system. I have flash drives, but can't figure out how I copy my email accounts on to them. Sorry to be so dumb, but I just don't understand this part of the procedure at all. any help will be very much appreciated. I am doing a Custom install, not upgrading. Thanks augustin
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BurrWalnut
Chippendaler
Reg'd: Tue
Posts: 3729
Loc: England
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Which mail client are you using with XP, i.e. Outlook, Outlook Express or something else?
-------------------- The Chippendale Society
Edited by BurrWalnut (Fri Oct 30 2009 03:21 PM)
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augustin
new user
Reg'd: Tue
Posts: 24
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Hi, I am using Yahoo and Google , 4 accounts on Yahoo, all forwarded to Googlemail.
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BurrWalnut
Chippendaler
Reg'd: Tue
Posts: 3729
Loc: England
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I don’t use Gmail but this seems to fit the bill http://www.freeemailtutorials.com/windowsLiveMail/setupEmailAccounts/setupGmailAccount.htm
-------------------- The Chippendale Society
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augustin
new user
Reg'd: Tue
Posts: 24
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Hi, Thanks for the information, which fits the bill, I can go ahead now without worrying about losing any data. Thanks again, I always find help on this forum, everyone seems willing to share their knowledge with the less experienced.
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mart
regular
Reg'd: Sun
Posts: 695
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I don't think you need to do anything regarding e-mail accounts. Google and Yahoo are webmail accessed via the browser (as opposed to POP mail where Outlook Express, Thunderbird etc are used). If you have an Internet connection and the bowser working, you'll be able to access your e-mail accounts straight away regardless of the OS being used,
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mart
regular
Reg'd: Sun
Posts: 695
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Further thought on the above. You will need to have made a note of all the passwords for your e-mail accounts ..and general bookmarks too while you're at it. Just thought this should be mentioned.
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augustin
new user
Reg'd: Tue
Posts: 24
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Thanks for this further info. I am still plucking up courage to start the installation. Does Windows 7 Easy transfer work with a full installation from XP, or only with an upgrade ?, once I start this there is no going back, so I must be sure what I am doing will not loose all my data etc.
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mart
regular
Reg'd: Sun
Posts: 695
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I didn't use the backup offered by the Windows 7 installation disk. I more or less did what you have. I backed up all of my files, passwords, program key numbers (important because you'll need to reinstall programs) forum login details and bookmarks. With that done, it should be OK to take the plunge.
Do you happen to have a disk imaging program such as Acronis or Paragon installed? If so, you could make an image of your current installation so that if Windows 7 doesn't run well for you, it would be possible to use the disk image to easily restore the XP installation. A disk image of your working XP system is the ultimate insurance against things going wrong.
My Windows 7 installation wasn't satisfactory in a couple of ways. Not the fault of Windows 7 but more the fact the computer is aged and I need a better one. So, I decided to revert to XP for the time being using a disk image. It took about 15 minutes to get XP and all programs/settings up and running again.
I'll try Windows 7 again when Father Christmas brings me a new computer.
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augustin
new user
Reg'd: Tue
Posts: 24
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I do not know about program key numbers, where do I find them ?, also I don't have Paragon, but if it is possible to stop me being so afraid of messing up , I will certainly install it, where do I find either of these programs? My computer is 3 years old HP Pavilion, I have run the compatibility test and everything seems to be OK for the installation, but I am still dithering.
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mart
regular
Reg'd: Sun
Posts: 695
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Key numbers are those asked for during program installation. They are usually printed inside, or on the back of, the CD/DVD case that the program arrived in. If you bought any programs by downloading them, the key number is usually in the e-mail that accompanies the purchase.
If you want to back up the XP OS before going to windows 7, Paragon has a free version. I haven't tried it myself (use Acronis 10) but it gets good reports.
http://www.paragon-software.com/home/db-express/download.html
You'd need to create a boot disk for the program. I read the option for making one is included. The backup itself needs to be made to a disk other than the C:\ drive. If you don't have another disk then the backup can be made to DVDs. Click on the 'Full features and System Requirements' link and have a read about the program.
Making a disk image of XP isn't essential providing you have no plans on returning to it. It's just a handy thing to have for if you might want to go back.
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augustin
new user
Reg'd: Tue
Posts: 24
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Hello mart, I have downloaded the program from Paragon, Thanks for the web address. I do have my XP upgrade disc from when I upgraded from Windows 98 on my old computer, I don't know if that would be any use in the situation of returning to XP at anytime, I suppose that from 7 to XP is technically a downgrade, not an upgrade. I also made a recovery disc when I first got this computer, which came with XP installed, but I think I made the recovery disc from a D: partition, which I see is still on my hard disc. Will the copy of my hard disc on DVDs include all my data, or should I put as much of my personal stuff on to my external hard disc as it will hold, as I have planned to do. Thanks again for all you help, I fell I am finally getting my head around this thing.
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mart
regular
Reg'd: Sun
Posts: 695
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The XP upgrade disk wouldn't work for returning to XP from Windows 7. The Recovery Disk would work providing the D: partition isn't deleted but this wouldn't restore your data. It would only return the computer to the state it was in at the time of purchase.
A disk image of the C: drive will contain all of your data. If the image is used, the computer will return to the state it is in now with programs installed and running. Created files will be intact. Nonetheless, it is still best (in my opinion) to have backups of files as well as the other items already mentioned.
One thing you could consider doing, once you are sure of a return position, is to install Windows 7 and try it with your most used programs installed. No need to activate Windows 7 while you are doing that. If you are not happy with Windows 7 then use the imaging program's boot disk to start the imaging program, browse to your XP disk image and then restore the working XP system. That's what I did.
Although this should work as described, it's impossible to say whether you would or wouldn't experience difficulties. I can only say that I has no problems with the procedures.
I suppose once you are very sure everything works OK in Windows 7 you could then consider removing the D: drive partition containing the XP OS, even if that did lead to reinstalling Windows 7 again. I don't know if removing that partition would upset the Windows 7 installation. Perhaps it could be done without upsetting anything using a disk partition manager of some kind. Paragon do a free one of those too I believe (haven't tried it).
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