Windows 10 first impressions

[Derek Jempson]

If the laptop is more than four to five years old, the hardware (specifically the graphics hardware) will probably not be compatible with Win 10 anyway. That's the problem that I have with my four-year-old PC.

[Derek Jempson]

Incidentally, how will you upgrade without connecting to the Internet. The only way to do that is to buy a copy of Win 10 on a DVD, which could prove to be an expensive mistake if the laptop is not upgradeable.

[Kevin]

First thing you need to do is resolve your internet connection, without this you will not be able to upgrade your system anyway. Not sure if you mean the problem is just related to the computer or that you have no connection to the house.?
Anyway once you have rectified that, I would check for any windows updates, and then perform a compatibility test for win 10. You certainly are entitled to a free upgrade if you wanted to go that route, but as I mentioned above I would be inclined to wait awhile.
I personally would recommend with a S/H system you at least clean the system with a complete factory reset, then load all appropriate Win 7 updates. At least then you will know the computer has no missing or corrupt files and the drivers will be up to date.

[moonjiver]

Thanks very much for the responses. The factory reset seems at first sight somewhat drastic but, since it works well on an android phone when problems occur, presumably very similar principles apply on a computer. All my files are backed up of course.

For a number of months this year, I couldn't even get a proper phone service. The sound quality was terrible, calls and answerphone messages were obliterated by interference and, after several visits by BT guys and the usual denials, I had more or less decided to give up and just use mobiles (I normally use the landline very little anyway). When I talked about terminating my service (PO Phones), they finally made an effort and changed some equipment at the exchange - problem disappeared!

That's all worried me as to what sort of service I'm likely to get if I sign up to broadband and one neighbour at least complains that the speed is slow here (why?), also the last time I checked it seemed that fibre-optic was not available round here.

Unfortunately I'm not good on the technology, so I'm really not enticed by the prospect of a load of issues which I can't resolve on my own. I have of course asked around for people's favourite providers - had ten different and complicated answers!

[moonjiver]

I think Windows 10 will have to wait, maybe until a change of computer. It's no problem, Windows 7 works fine for all that I do at present on a computer, although it would be nice of course to be able to get updates and improvements after five years.

Thanks again for the advice.

[Geoff]

Windows 7 is good, in many respects better than 8. Given the same situation I would choose to stick with it. I believe 7 will be supported for a good few years yet. As and when you choose to upgrade your laptop it will no doubt come with WIndows 10 anyway and be that time (hopefully) any issues will have been sorted.