Updating PC?

[vRS_Pagey]

Guys, I currently have a 8 year old Dell Dimension 5000 desk top PC, specifications are Windows XP service pack 3, Pentium 4 processor, 3gb memory (upgraded from 1gb) and 160GB HDD.  Not sure about other hardward graphics card etc.

While it has been an excellent computer and still is to be fair, I would like to update the OS to Windows 7, as things aren't as quick as they could be.  Looking on the Microsoft website, although my PC has an adequate spec to do this, when I download the trial version it will not load correctly???
The question is if it will work, do I get an upgrade software or complete a clean reboot and install Windows 7 from scratch?

[bacillus]

To go from XP to win 7 you will have to do a clean install.

[maxload]

Back up everything you need , photos , music.
You should then format your disk , then install windows7 

[vRS_Pagey]

To go from XP to win 7 you will have to do a clean install.

Understood, but even with a clean install can I just get the upgrade software? Also system requirements are not a problem, apart from this - DirectX 9 graphics processor with WDDM 1.0 or later driver - no idea what it is, so don't know if I have it......anyway to find out?

[bacillus]

btw Did you run the MS windows 7 upgrade advisor program as that may highlight present hardware and software incompatabilites?
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/downloads/upgrade-advisor

[vRS_Pagey]

btw Did you run the MS windows 7 upgrade advisor program as that may highlight present hardware and software incompatabilites?
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/downloads/upgrade-advisor

That's the thing I mentioned in the first post and it wouldn't work......

[bacillus]

Understood, but even with a clean install can I just get the upgrade software?

You really need the full copy of win 7 as there is no MS approved upgrade path from xp to win 7.
However if you get an upgrade copy of win7 then install it without putting in the product code then reinstall it but this time put in the code.

If the windows 7 upgrade advisor program doesn't work properly then you'll need to look for win 7 drivers for your present hardware as win 7 may not have them all when you install.

[vRS_Pagey]

Really.....? http://emea.microsoftstore.com/UK/en-GB/Microsoft/Windows-7-Home-Premium-Upgrade