In a few days i will be recieving a laptop which in the offer includes a free upgrade to windows 7 home editon. before recieveing this service pack i will already have my laptop which by the time the OS arrives will already have software and games installed. The laptop is a variation of the acer'7535g ( i think) and i wanted to know how to backup the memory to store these files.. the OS coming with the laptop will be windows home edition(vista) Also is it better jsut to leave my OS as vista or go with the 7 upgrade?[ I dont yet have this laptop, im simply planning ahead to know whether its worth while installing items onto the HD before i recieve windows 7]

Allan The short answer here is that you should already be backing up your personal files. BTW, those files you mention are not in memory but STORED on the hard drive, which has X amount of storage capacity. The two use the same measuring units but are not the same thing. I'm not sure, but I think you will be able to apply Windows 7 over the top of Vista. Read the instructions accompanying the upgrade when it arrives. Windows 7 is definitely a better option than Vista.

Man i thank you for the great reply. Helped me a bunch. ; )

Apart from backing up your files. You would do best to create an Image of your drive. Use something like macrium reflect free. UK MP's are thieving scumbags. EU members are worse.

My advice would be to hold off installing anything until you do the upgrade. Then when you have installed your applications create a backup image, like Clive suggests. But I would suggest using Acronis, which is not free.