[Brian C]

I've bought a new windows operating system to install on my pc. Currently I have a trial version on which runs out within 1 day. If this runs out and I have not saved the files I need on an external hard drive will I lose those files? Can I get to this files without an operating system ie Music files excel and word docs etc

thanks in advance

Brian

[Bubba]

Just out of curiosity, why didn't you just go online to microsoft and pay them for the OS you are using as a trial instead of purchasing another?

Anyways, just save your files to an external HD or disc. In short, if you leave them on that computer and install the new OS over top of them you will lose them. If your "new" OS does not include office though, you won't be able to accesss the word or excel files anyways. Another if: if you currently have office 2007 (in your trial OS) and are reverting back to an earlier version of office, make sure you save the files "as" the earlier version of office.

[Brian C]

Hi

Did not think about that. Doh! (going on line)

What will happen If I don't save the files before the trial runs out? Will I be able to save them at all?

cheers
Brian

[Bubba]

I'm not 100% sure about my next statement, but I'm PRETTY sure lol so here goes: If your trial runs out, you will still be able to boot your computer but it will go to the registration screen. There you can either buy on line and take the one you got at the store back. OR, and here is the part I'm not sure of, if you bought the same version of Windows as is on your machine as a trial (ie: home premium on your machine, home premium in the box) enter the Activation Key code off the package into the space provided. Of course you CAN'T enter the key off the package AND take it back lol, nor can you use the disc on another machine as the Activation key will not work twice.

[Brian C]

Ok thanks for the tips. I might buy the one online to be safe

Have a good day.

Brian

[4D(Fordy(Ford) Ollie]

You are right Bubba.

If you just go online, pay for an activation and enter that key you just bought, it will let you carry on as usual, except it will stop hassling you for activation key or payment

[Carbon]

The real answer is that no, the files remain. Any other operating system like a Linux livecd will be able to recover them in a pinch.

[Brian C]

thanks Carbon,

I installed XP last night. During the process you can keep the partions that the files are in ,if you want to, or delete and start again.

I saved them to a portable drive and deleted the partions for a clean slate

Good work

Regards
Brian

[pete21]

also when the trial runs out you can no longer access control panel and a load of other features making the operating system useless .it happened to me once

[4D(Fordy(Ford) Ollie]

Yeah you also get a load of things like timers et. before it lets you log on or do anything..