BleepingComputer.com: Windows Installer.

Hi all
I have a major problem with my Windows XPPro operating system, and I would really, really, appreciate some help with it! Firstly, my computer started acting strangely; so, I purchased the AVG anti-virus system, only to discover that, having bought it, my computer would not allow me to install it!

I then discovered that the computer would not allow me to install anything at all, even microsoft's own "Security Essentials": so, I contacted Microsoft customer support and told them what the problem was. One of their "experts" sent me a list of "steps to take", one of which was to delete all anti virus programs from my computer! I did this then realised that I now had a computer without any anti virus protection, that would not allow me to install one!

It then became clear that the problem was my XP Pro operating system "installer" was buggered, not to put too fine a point on it! This suggested to me that I should upgrade to Windows 7; so, I invested in a new Windows 7 O S. Now I need to know how I can upgrade from XP Pro to Windows 7, without losing any of the existing data on my computer. Can anyone tell me, in idiot proof steps, how I can achieve this please?

Best
Teochter

This post has been edited by hamluis: 28 June 2011 - 03:35 PM
Reason for edit: Moved from XP to Am I Infected.

So you were running without an active av? You need to post in the Am I Infected forum.

No I wasn't running without an active AV, please re-read my post ! I ran a daily scheduled scan with Microsoft Security Essentials; however, my machine started acting erratically. That was when I purchased, and downloaded, the AVG PCTuneUp 2011, and it was at that point that discovered that my computer would not allow me to install it: so, it was at that time I contacted MS support.

As one of the diagnostic steps, their support representative told me to delete all existing AV programs from my computer; and, as I said in my post, after I had followed this advice, I then discovered that I could not install anything at all on my computer. It was then that I suspected that it was the XP Pro Windows installer that was the problem, so I bought an upgrade to Windows 7. If you re-read my post, you will see that I have not mentioned anything about my computer being infected. The problem I asked for help with, ( in the last para )is how do I upgrade from my exiting XP Pro operating system to the Windows 7 Operating system, without losing any of the data that I have built up, for years,on my computer?

Tegards
Teochter