Possible format parents Sony laptop?

Goose

Goose

Goose

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My parents have a Windows 7 Sony laptop thats a few years old (i forget the exact model) but they no longer have any of the manuals, DVD's etc. that came with it.

Since it's running horribly, horribly slow I'd like to try and format it and reinstall Windows 7 but I have only ever done this on my own desktop machine. Is the process much different on a laptop? Do I need a laptop specific version of Windows or even a Sony Laptop specific Version?

What would be the best way to back up all their data like pictures, thunderbird settings and emails, etc etc?

Finally, and rather crucially, is there even a way for me to recover the Windows 7 product so I can actually reinstall it?

Thanks
 
can always sue the windows 7 backup software to make a image of the drive and then also manually make a copy of pictures e mails etc to a external hard drive to transfer over.

you can try this to get the product key

http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/product_cd_key_viewer.html#DownloadLinks

do they have the disk at all for it or does it have a recovery partition?

you will either need the disk or the ISO file to match the version of windows they have currently installed but re install process is the same
 
ED209 said:
can always sue the windows 7 backup software to make a image of the drive and then also manually make a copy of pictures e mails etc to a external hard drive to transfer over.

you can try this to get the product key

http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/product_cd_key_viewer.html#DownloadLinks

do they have the disk at all for it or does it have a recovery partition?

you will either need the disk or the ISO file to match the version of windows they have currently installed but re install process is the same
Click to expand...

Thanks. I'll check for a recovery partition as soon as i can. My plan was to just download an Windows 7 ISO and install it from a USB stick which is what i've done with my desktop before.
 
Will I need to install any laptop specific gubbins for the touchpad and sleep functionality and what not?
 
Goose said:
Will I need to install any laptop specific gubbins for the touchpad and sleep functionality and what not?
Click to expand...

when you first brought the laptop im sure it would have come with ten tons of rubbish on it.

touch pad etc should work as normal unless there was anything extra controlled by software.
 
Better place for Windows 7 ISOs: http://www.w7forums.com/threads/official-windows-7-sp1-iso-image-downloads.12325/

Do you know what the laptop model name/number is? Sometimes clicking on the start menu -> right click "Computer" -> Properties will tell you but it should also be branded on the laptop somewhere. The Windows product key should also be on a sticker on the laptop, which will also tell you the Windows version.

I would suggest backing up all personal files on an external drive (HDD, memory stick, etc.). Thunderbird's profile can be found under appdata (Search %appdata% and hit enter, and it will take you to the folder), and will have the entire profile including all email accounts and downloaded emails.
 
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Goose said:
Since it's running horribly, horribly slow I'd like to try and format it and reinstall Windows 7 but I have only ever done this on my own desktop machine. Is the process much different on a laptop? Do I need a laptop specific version of Windows or even a Sony Laptop specific Version?
Click to expand...

Windows 7 is Windows 7 really the only differences are between Home, Pro and Ultimate which all require different keys. Under the laptop should be a COA sticker with the licence on it which you can use to reactivate. If it isn't underneath then take out the battery since it could be in there,

Goose said:
What would be the best way to back up all their data like pictures, thunderbird settings and emails, etc etc?
Click to expand...

Just use an external HDD or flash drive for their data and as for Thunderbird and email do a Google search for MozBackup.

Goose said:
Finally, and rather crucially, is there even a way for me to recover the Windows 7 product so I can actually reinstall it?
Click to expand...

See my first answer :)

Stoner81.
 
Meatball said:
I would make a system image before reformatting.
Click to expand...
I would absolutely agree you should do this before you even think about formatting the hard drive - a machine that's in the state you describe may have all sorts of irreplaceable personal data saved in non-obvious places, and without an image of the entire system state you'll only find out it's gone for good when it's too late.

I'd pick the free version of Macrium Reflect - it's very easy to use, and you can quickly roll back to the original system if for some reason it all goes completely pear-shaped. It also lets you mount and browse the original system image on the new installation or on another machine if you need to pull individual data files out at a later date.
 
If it has a "Assist" button try turning it on with that, should take you straight to the recovery options. Failing that it is sometimes F11 or F12 on startup.
 
Goose said:
Would anyone happen to know if laptops like this can have their HD drives changed for an SSD?
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Yes, if the hard disk is a standard SATA 2.5" drive then an SSD will slot right in. Even if the controller is only SATA 3Gbps the difference in performance will still be tremendous, plus will save on battery life.

An SSD is a very worthy upgrade to just about any laptop/pc that will take one.
 
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