Laptop Questions

[Goldenballs]

Hi guys,

I've got this laptop: Acer Aspire 5920 / Core 2 Duo T7300 2.0GHz / 2GB / 120GB / 15.4 inch / DVD-SM / Vista Home Premium / Laptop / Notebook (LX.AKV0X.108) http://www.play.com/PC/PCs/-/654/861...archtype=genre
and I need to buy a replacement power pack/cable as my current one has got a loose wire or something. Any ideas where to get one from? Would eBay be ok? http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/LAPTOP-CHARGER...item41590ced05

Also, could I put Windows 7 on this machine? Is it relatively easy to do? If I was to do that, would I lose everything? I wouldn't mind if I did because it's got a load of Acer bundled crap that came on it that I never use, but might it be a bit of a pain to back up my iTunes and broadband settings etc?

I know these are probably pretty daft questions, but I'm not too clued up when it comes to Laptops etc.

[monel]

Someone will correct me, but Windows 7 shouldn't be a problem, you'll need your drivers disc though (should have come with the laptop) or find a link to download them for your model, after you install win7 you'll probably need to install the drivers for your model.

I'm not sure if this is any help, but my friend bought an adaptor for his Vaio from Maplins rather than pay for a Sony one.

edit-installing Windows is very easy.

[FelixofMars]

Should be fine for Windows 7, Have you got a partition on your Acer? they usually lump the OS on one and have a data drive. If you have been using the data drive for programs and data then you can wipe the OS and away you go. If not then you probably will have to wipe and reinstall or try an upgrade.

I am not sure how well an upgrade from Vista to 7 would go but you could try that if you wanted to try to keep your net settings/programs.

[FelixofMars]

Most laptop manufacturers have new drivers up for 7 for older models, some don't but it usually still works fine. I think I found everything pretty much worked out the box on my Asus.

Someone will correct me, but Windows 7 shouldn't be a problem, you'll need your drivers disc though (should have come with the laptop) or find a link to download them for your model, after you install win7 you'll probably need to install the drivers for your model.

[Goldenballs]

Hmm, I'm not sure about a partition. I'll investigate further, thanks!

[FelixofMars]

I know they do it very often but I am not sure if its on all their models. failing that you could run a disc backup. But net setting are probably a case of adding them manually. Not sure about Itunes does it do anything funny to the files like encrypt them to the machine or the like?

Just read that it should be fine.

http://uneasysilence.com/how-to-backup-your-windows-itunes/

I found this useful when backing up my old machine. Its a disc mirror program but it store it as compressed multi files. You run the software again then you can unpack the whole drive or just copy files across.

http://www.runtime.org/driveimage-xml.htm