Preparing for your Windows 7 Upgrade

Windows 7 on the University's Network

The network computer you currently use will have its system wiped clean and replaced with Windows 7. The computer will still be identified on the UoC network by its asset number which you should see on the silver label on the computer.

On the Day of the upgrade

• You should have already followed the advice below under Backing Up Your Files if you want to safeguard your files
• Make sure any USB memory sticks or other gadgets are disconnected from the computer
• If you thought you’d be present for the upgrade but are now unable to be please ask your colleagues to make sure the computer is accessible. We simply need access to the computer, we do not need you to be present
• When someone arrives to upgrade the computer it will need to be turned OFF – so please don’t leave yourself logged in, or at worst logged in with any unsaved work open
• IT Services staff will either come to your office and perform the upgrade or it may be triggered remotely. In either case the process should take less than 30 minutes. Once ready for use, you may login and you will need to check your default printer is correctly set (e.g. to one of the “uoc-printing”  printers)

Before the Upgrade

Backing up your Files

As part of the upgrade process the hard disk (the C drive) will be wiped clean. Most users have followed the University policy of saving their files to their H drive (the personal network area) or to an S drive (shared network space) and so all their files are safe.

Files on your Windows desktop

Do you save files on your Windows desktop area which you need to keep? (Icons or shortcuts which launch programs are not relevant, so ignore those).

Normally, when you logout, files on your desktop are automatically copied to your network profile. However, if the quantity would exceed your network space they are NOT copied. You should therefore MOVE any essential files from your desktop to either your H drive (if you have enough room), or to a USB memory device, an external hard-disk, or by burning a data CD.

Files in My Documents

The My Documents shortcut actually re-directs to your H drive. So when you open My Documents you are actually opening your H drive. The files on your H drive are completely separate to the computer you are using and are not affected by the upgrade. (If you wish to check that your My Documents shortcut correctly re-directs to the H drive, simply right-click on the icon and choose Properties – the target should start with H: and end with your username – then click cancel to exit)

Archived Emails

If you do not use the Outlook Desktop program this does not apply to you.

Do you archive your emails to your C drive using Outlook Desktop? Archiving to C drive has never been advised by IT as it is not safe so 99% of staff have never done so. If you have  you will need to move the archive from your C drive as soon as possible. If you fail to do so, the archive will be lost forever.

Folders on the C Drive

Have you any folders created on the C Drive that have your files in? This is only applicable to a select few who were given the right to hold files on the C Drive or discovered a place that they were able to save to on the C Drive.

Make sure you backup any such folders/files to a USB memory device, external hard-disk or burn a CD of them now.

FAQs

Q. When will the upgrade take place?

A. Please consult your department head or administrator as this should have been agreed with the department.

Q. Who will upgrade my computer?

A. A member of staff from IT Services either in person or remotely.

Q. Do I need to be present when it is upgraded?

A. No, we just need the computer to be logged-off.

Q. Will my emails be lost?

A. Nothing on Portia will be affected, nor in Outlook Live. If you use the separate program Outlook Desktop to read your emails then this may take a few moments to configure when you first run it (also see the section above about Archived Emails).

Q. What about my files?

A. Files saved on your H Drive (your personal network area) and S Drive (the Share Drive) will not be affected. For any files saved on your C Drive please see the section about Backing Up Your Files.

Q. If later I realise there was an important file on my computer which I forgot to back-up will I be able to retrieve it?

A. No. If the file was saved on your C Drive (the computer’s hard disk) it is not retrievable.

Q. What about my printer ?

A. Staff are now required to use the new print system. Local printers will not be installed or supported unless agreed specifically with the IT management team.

Q. What software will be present when Windows 7 is installed?

A. As standard you will have Office 2010 and Internet Explorer (as well as add-ons such as Adobe Reader, Quicktime, Flashplayer, codecs).

Q. How do I get other software installed?

A. Some site-licenced software will be available for the user to install should you wish to do so, this is because there are a number of packages which only some staff use (e.g. SPSS) so we are keeping the basic setup as streamlined as possible. Limited licence software will be made available only to those who have been allocated to use it. Any additional software that you are individually licenced for may require IT staff to install this for you. Please notify us if you have some specialist software (for example it operates a special device that you attach).

Q. When my software requires an upgrade what happens?

A. The Windows 7 system periodically checks the version of software it has against the latest version we have available on our server and if your system is behind it will automatically update without the need for any visit from IT staff.