I don't know how many times a customer comes in with an older windows xp computer and it is infected. They then want to know if the computer can be upgraded to at least windows 7 or 8 or 8.1 . Well the first thing to do is clean up the infections, because you may not be able to get into the system. The best course of action is to have a set of virus cleaning tools on a flash drive. I would recommend having, Combofix ( will not run on windows 8.1 ) , Free Malwarbytes, TDSSkiller , Eset Online Scanner Portable, Super Anti Spyware Portable, A-Squared Emergency Kit, Rogue Killer, Tweaking.com, Temp File Cleaner, Spybot 2.4 Portable, ADW Cleaner and Adware Removal Tool. These are all free off the internet and some can be gotten from Bleeping.com .
If you can boot to the safe mode with networking create a temp folder called virus cleaners and copy all these programs to it. You can then run each of these rebooting when necessary. Once you are all done see if the computer will boot to the normal mode. The next step would be to go to the system and determine what processor is installed and how much memory is in the system. There are a few factors that are important. First how old is the computer and second how big a hard drive is in the computer. I feel that if the computer is three years old or more then I would not install windows 8 or windows 8.1 due to the older system not handling it properly. More than likely there will be no software drivers for this operating system at the manufacturers website. As far as windows 7 goes if there are only windows 7 32bit drivers it can be done, but may run very slowly and not perform well.
So my advise at this point is to point out to the customer that going to the newer operating system with the older system would not be a wise choice. I would add up the various costs to upgrade the older system if possible and then compare it to a newer system. Inform the customer that only the data can be transferred to the newer operating system. All software, printers, cameras and other devices would have to be reinstalled. I do not recommend using a program to pull licensee keys and use copied or burned copies of the software due to this being illegal according to the oem license agreement. I have also seen 
where someone has volume license software and thinks they can install it on anybody's computer. The customer would have to purchase the software and they can install it on their computers. The data can be bulk copied over to the new system using a program such as unstoppable copier and then the data can be moved in to the proper locations. Data is usually Documents, Pictures, Music, Favorites, Email and 
Downloads. I have seen some technicians try and move one system to the other using the file and transfer wizard. I do not recommend this for two reasons. One the file and transfer wizard for windows xp was made for windows xp and not windows 7 or 8 or 8.1. The second reason is that this moves the application folders as well as others and I have seen many infections hide in these places. So effect you are just moving the infection from one system to the other. Besides I have seen too many times where the customer calls in and says this isn't working or I can't find something. Your better in the long run to do it fresh from the start and right the first time. Now you have happy customers that will come back and pass your business to other people. I believe we are here to help and satisfy the customer first and then satisfy the company.If you are looking for other books on computer viruses or repairing computers I have a link on the right of the posts to some of my other blogs that may help. Generally they are for either Amazon or Ebay. Both of them have many excellent books in a variety of categories that can help.
My Belief Is Honesty Is The Best Policy
Thank You For Reading and Happy Holidays !!!
At some point in time you may need to repair your Laptop or Desktop Computer. You have a couple of choices to make. One do I feel confidant in my self to determine what I need to repair it and can I get the parts necessary to repair my desktop computer. Well the answer is almost anyone can repair their desktop computer. There are many different 
available through Amazon and Ebay that will provide excellent information. You can also check out the links I provide to the right of the posts to some of my other blogs. The information on them can help you in some repairs. A repair can be anything from testing, troubleshooting and replacing a component. A component can be anything from a motherboard, memory, hard drive, optical drive or a power supply. Of course there are other parts in a computer that can fail such as the plastic power button on the computer case.
The repair is not really a repair, but it would be upgrading your computer. Upgrading your computer whether it is a desktop or a laptop is done to make it more efficient in one way or the other. Generally you will be looking for more space to fit programs or you may be trying to make the computer run faster. Everyone knows faster is better, of course until you crash the computer. Most upgrades fall in to one of three categories. The first would be upgrading memory, second would be upgrading to a larger faster hard drive and third would be upgrading to a newer operating system. The best advise I can give is to check out what the specification are on your computer. This way you can determine what components can go in your computer and how much it can handle. I have seen way to many times when someone purchases parts only to find out that they will not be able to be installed in the laptop or desktop.
So I would check out the bookstore at this link and search for what ever technical book you are looking for. There are also ads that can be searched off to the right of the posts through Ebay to find other books as well that may help in repairing and upgrading your particular computer. Make sure you get all your information ready before you buy parts. This way you will not waste time having to return parts. If you do not want to do the repairing or upgrading check out your local service center. There are usually plenty of them around. My best advise is check out any reviews on the company or go to the computer store before purchasing. This way you can see first hand how things are handled and how the place of business treats you. Some store will try to sell you things you don't need or they may have a bad way of speaking to customers. I have seen many places of business where the sales people can be very sarcastic or treat you like you are stupid. My advise is walk away and never go back also let other people know so know one else will be treated improperly. Also get a tour of the company so you can see how the technicians are handling computers and components. For example are they practicing good esd protection while handling various components. Also make sure to check out various reviews on the internet for whatever company you may be thinking of taking your computer to.
