Backing Up Vista to Upgrade to Windows 7

[Maritime Q-Scout]

The title is pretty self-explanitory.

I have my pictures, music and documents backed up.

I'm mostly wondering if there are any tricks to keep saved passwords and settings for Firefox, and Thunderbird.

Other than that I have no problem re-downloading the other programs I use (iTunes, Picasa, Audacity, etc).

What might I be forgetting to back up? Just hoping the CP Braintrust might be able to help me prevent going "oh crud, I needed _____ "

[Rathji]

While this doesn't directly answer your question, I always run Belarc Advisor to ensure I don't miss any product activation keys, and to give me an easy checklist for downloading and reinstalling software.

[Maritime Q-Scout]

sweet, thanks. It's stuff like this that should help.

I hate setting my computer back up. I have things how I like them, and then I have to start over. Not fun.

[Bobblehead]

A couple directories I thought I had backed up, I didn't. Remember that things like Video, Documents, etc are in your folder AND the Public folder, so don't forget to check there.

However a saving grace is that the new install doesn't totally erase your previous install, it moves most of the data folders into a Windows.old directory.

As for other settings, I kind of use a reinstall to pare down the things I used to have installed but no longer used.

[sclitheroe]

Originally Posted by Maritime Q-Scout

sweet, thanks. It's stuff like this that should help.

I hate setting my computer back up. I have things how I like them, and then I have to start over. Not fun.

Why don't you just run through the upgrade to 7?

[DownInFlames]

There's a program called Mozbackup that will backup and restore Firefox and Thunderbird, including extensions and emails.

[Maritime Q-Scout]

Originally Posted by sclitheroe

Why don't you just run through the upgrade to 7?

I'm assuming I'd lose my old files. Wouldn't I? Wouldn't it just be like a system restore?

[psicodude]

Originally Posted by Maritime Q-Scout

I'm assuming I'd lose my old files. Wouldn't I? Wouldn't it just be like a system restore?

The upgrade actually works quite well, as long as you are upgrading to the same version (32bit or 64bit). We have done it in the office a couple of times and it was painless.

[Komskies]

If you don't mind I'd like to piggyback on this thread and ask a slightly related question.

I'm going to install Windows 7 this weekend but I'll be doing a full reformat of my HD first. I have two HDs so backing up files is as easy as moving them from one drive to the other. It's just something I like to do every 6 months or so. Before I do the reformat I'm planning to open the ol' case up and clean all of the dust and debris out of it.

I'm just curious how often you guys open up your cases and give it a good cleaning? I'm sure I don't do it nearly often enough and its robbing my computer of performance (from running hotter). Sorry, don't want to derail the thread too badly.

[ricosuave]

Originally Posted by Komskies

If you don't mind I'd like to piggyback on this thread and ask a slightly related question.

I'm going to install Windows 7 this weekend but I'll be doing a full reformat of my HD first. I have two HDs so backing up files is as easy as moving them from one drive to the other. It's just something I like to do every 6 months or so. Before I do the reformat I'm planning to open the ol' case up and clean all of the dust and debris out of it.

I'm just curious how often you guys open up your cases and give it a good cleaning? I'm sure I don't do it nearly often enough and its robbing my computer of performance (from running hotter). Sorry, don't want to derail the thread too badly.

only you know the kind of funk that you live in, but I clean mine every couple of months, pretty easy to do and things dont get built up too bad

[photon]

I usually clean it out whenever I do something hardware-wise inside it, which is often enough that it doesn't get very messed up.

5 minutes on the deck with a can of air.