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HP Pavilion dv6353us Notebook PC Troubleshooting

Upgrading Windows Using Windows Vista Anytime Upgrade

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This document pertains to HP Notebook PCs with Windows Vista.

What you need to start

To upgrade Windows Vista to another version of Windows Vista, you need to do two things:
  • Get a Windows Anytime Upgrade installation disc.
    This disc might have been included with the HP and Compaq computer. If not, you can purchase the disc at a retail store or buy it online. In the process of upgrading, you will be instructed when to insert the disc.
  • Purchase the upgrade online.
    Windows Anytime Upgrade automatically takes you to the site at which you may purchase the upgrade online. Click Start > Windows Anytime Upgrade > begin update process to be directed to the website.
    Figure 1: Windows Anytime Upgrade
    Windows Anytime Upgrade on the Start Menu
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What you should know before using Windows Anytime Upgrade

If you choose to upgrade to a new version of Windows, some of the original settings and functions that were provided with your original system are removed or replaced. Here are some of the changes that you should know about before changing your version of Windows:
  • HP support articles will be removed from the Help & Support application.
  • Links from HP Total Care Advisor to HP articles in the Help & Support application will no longer work.
  • Links to HP partner offers will be removed from the Welcome Center
  • HP logo and support information will be removed from the system properties screen.
  • HP logo will be removed from the Performance Information & Tools screen.
  • Link to HP TouchSmart application will be removed from the Start menu. The application will still be accessible by a desktop icon (affects IQ series products only).
  • An HP or Compaq System Recovery will restore your system to its original factory image. The recovered system will not have the upgraded version of Windows.
Once you've completed the upgrade process, you may download HP Update and HP Help & Support again, so that you do not lose the important information and utilities that these services provide.
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Which editions you can upgrade to

You have a few choices of upgrades, depending on what you own now.
  • If you have Windows Vista Home Basic, you can upgrade to Windows Vista Home Premium or Windows Vista Ultimate.
  • If you have Windows Vista Business, you can upgrade to Windows Vista Ultimate
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Overview of Windows Vista editions

The following is a brief description of each Windows Vista edition.
  • Windows Vista Home Basic
    Windows Vista Basic is for consumers with the most basic computing needs such as surfing the Internet, using email, and document creation and editing. Compared to previous versions of Windows, it has more robust safety features, it is easier to set up and use, and has new search tools for finding files and programs.
  • Windows Vista Home Premium
    Windows Vista Premium is for consumers interested in more advanced digital and media technology. It comes with the new Windows interface: Windows Aero, with search features and organization tools for collections of documents, pictures, movies, videos, and music. It's also better for communicating with other PCs and peripherals. With the Premium edition, you can create DVDs and edit your own high-definition movies, record and watch TV shows including HDTV, and access online entertainment. It includes Windows Tablet and Touch Technology, so you can interact with your Tablet PC with a digital pen or your fingertip.
  • Windows Vista Business
    Windows Vista Business edition is for large or small businesses. The Business edition has powerful safety features and protection against viruses and malware. It includes a warning of impending hardware failures, and a new backup technology. The installation of the operating system is image based, so the images are not hardware-dependent, reducing management and updating time. It also includes Windows Tablet and Touch Technology, so you can interact with your Tablet PC with a digital pen or your fingertip.
  • Windows Vista Ultimate
    Windows Vista Ultimate is designed to be a powerful system for consumers who want to work from home or who want to be mobile, who might want to connect to a corporate network, and who want advanced entertainment and media features. The Ultimate edition has all the features of the Windows Vista Home Premium edition, combined with powerful business security and management tools.
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System requirements

Some features available in the premium editions of Windows Vista may require advanced or additional hardware. For system requirement information on each Windows Vista edition, visit Microsoft Windows Vista Upgrade (in English).
To check for your current version of Windows Vista, click Start , Control Panel , System and Maintenance , and then Welcome Center .
The Windows edition is displayed near the top of the Welcome window.
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Upgrading to another edition of Windows Vista

To upgrade to another edition of Windows Vista, follow the procedure below.
  1. Back up all your files, (including music, pictures, videos, digital licenses, email archives, etc.) to a separate source (CDs, DVDs, or separate hard disk drive).
  2. Create system recovery discs for your computer if you haven't already done so.
  3. Open Windows Anytime Upgrade by clicking Start > Windows Anytime Upgrade .
    The welcome screen opens.
    Figure 2: Windows Anytime Upgrade welcome screen
    The Windows Anytime Upgrade Welcome Screen
  4. Follow the instructions on each screen.
  5. Insert the Windows Anytime Upgrade disc into the DVD drive when you are instructed to do so.
  6. Click Run setup.exe .
  7. Click Allow at the User Account Control screen.
  8. After a couple minutes, an Install Windows screen opens.
    Figure 3: Install Windows screen choices
    Image of the Install Windows screen choices.
  9. Before you start the installation, you have three choices:
    • Check your computer's compatibility online. If you click this option, you will be sent to the Microsoft Windows Get Ready page where you can run Vista Upgrade Advisor. The Advisor tool assesses whether your computer is ready for the upgrade.
    • Read more about system requirements, backing up your data, and issues and incompatibilities that might occur with the new version.
    • Transfer files and settings from another computer with the Easy Transfer tool.
  10. Click Install now .
    After several minutes, an update screen opens.
  11. You can choose to go online to get the latest updates (such as security updates and drivers). Click Next .
    NOTE:You will need your computer product key to get the latest updates.
  12. From the Windows Vista list, select which Windows edition you are upgrading to.
  13. Click the checkbox next to I accept the license terms , and then click Next .
  14. In the next Install screen, you have a choice between upgrade types:
    • Upgrade - keeps your files, settings, and programs intact, and backs up your data to a file
    • Custom (advanced) - installs a "clean" copy of Windows and deletes your data
  15. Click the checkbox next to I accept the license terms , and then click Next .
    This part of the update can take hours. The computer will restart several times. Do not use or touch the keyboard, mouse, or computer.
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Completing the Vista update

When the first part of the update is finished, a window opens with choices about updating your system's security.
  1. Select from the choices in the security update window.
    A date and time settings window opens.
  2. Review the accuracy of your date and time settings, and click Next .
  3. In the Thank you window that opens, click Start .
    Don't use the mouse or keyboard. A green bar at the bottom of the screen shows the progress. Windows then restarts with a new screen and message, Preparing your desktop . The new Windows Vista edition displays at the bottom of this screen.
    A series of startup and security screens open and close. After a few minutes, the Symantec LiveUpdate screen opens.
  4. To update security software automatically, click Next .
After a few minutes, the Windows Welcome Center opens, displaying the updated Windows Vista edition.
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Obtaining HP Update

Once the Vista installation is complete, you must download the HP Update utility from hp.com. This utility will test the PC and install the latest Vista-specific patches and updates from HP. Download and install HP Update by following the steps below.
  1. Open your web browser and go to the HP Software & Driver downloads web site.
  2. On the page that appears, type your model number in the Search field and then press Enter .
  3. On the next page that appears, select your specific product from those listed.
  4. On the next page, select your operating system. Under Software - Solutions , click the link for HP Software Update . Select the Download only, option, and select a location on your hard drive where the file will be easy for you to find.
  5. Once you have downloaded the HP Software Update, proceed to install it.
Alternately, you may download the HP Update service pack directly by clicking this link: sp34261.exe (English only.)
While HP Update will assist you in obtaining the correct, up-to-date drivers for your system, if you should ever wish to obtain your drivers and updates manually, you may do so by going to HP Software and Driver Downloads and browsing to your computer's hardware.
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Obtaining HP Help & Support

Once the Vista installation is complete, you must download the HP Help & Support utility from hp.com. This utility contains important information about your computer and operating system, as well as utilities that can help you to resolve conditions before they become problems, without having to contact technical support. Download the HP Help & Support system service pack directly by clicking this link: sp34411.exe (English only.)
Once you've downloaded this file to your desktop, double-click it to begin installation, and follow the on-screen directions.
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See Also

HP Notebook PCs - Obtaining and Using HP Update