I have an older PC- Dell Dimension with pentium4 3.2 GHz CPU (800 MHz bus speed), 4 GB of ram, and whatever built in graphics card came with this thing (256 MB Intel(R) Graphics Media Accelerator.)

I am currently running XP but have the option to upgrade to windows 7 ultimate in either 32 bit or 64 bit versions for free through my school.

Any advice? Should I just stick with the tried and true?

Thanks.

How long do you plan to keep this computer? BTW, you cannot use a 64 bit operating system on that processor.

At least a couple more years. (We are saving for a house so trying to spend as little as possible). My wife has a newer laptop (1 yr old) that serves us pretty well also.

What requirements are there for a 64 bit processer?

your not saying upgrade your current machine are you, I assume you mean you have the ability to get a new machine with 7 on it? There is not a clean way to upgrade to 7 from XP.

talking about upgrading to windows 7 on the current machine. I can't just completely reinstall with windows7?

The reasearch I have done says you can't just "upgrade" XP to windows 7, your data won't be preserved. You have to do a "clean" install which is like a brand new reimaging of your hard drive.

If you had Vista, you can "upgrade" without losing programs/data, however, I still would do reformat/clean install.

A quote from a Microsoft spokesperson “I can confirm that customers will be able to purchase upgrade media and an upgrade license to move from Windows XP to Windows 7 - however, they will need to do a clean installation of Windows 7,” a Microsoft spokesperson confirmed to The Register. “This requires the user to back up their data, install Windows 7, re-install the programs and restore their data.”

Windows Vista users, however, will have the option to install over top their existing OS.

http://www.tomshardware.com/news/windows-xp-7-upgrade-vista,6965.html

Thanks for the info Randy.

I don't mind wiping over and starting anew... just not sure if I will have a bad experience with windows7 on this comp.

There is a way to install Windows 7 over XP and the install will transfer your files to the Windows 7 OS.

I've got windows vista that I installed on a machine I build last year and I'm going to install 7 64 bit sometime soon. It seems I need to do a fresh install about once a year because I get so much spyware that I always end up with a slow computer and it seems only a fresh install will cure it.

Yes, but it does not save any programs, so it's not an actual upgrade since you can do that anytime.

Deleted, should have read the first post more closely.

Yep Cam, you have to reinstall everything and backup your data manually.

I have the release candidate evaluation copy, and I just found out that I have to purchase the OS and do a fresh install. I wish they could have done something for us "guinea pigs"; maybe having something built into the OS so we can pay for it before the evaluation period ends, so we don't have to uninstall it and reinstall it.

There is a backup and restore tool with Windows 7 for data and a few things like bookmarks and such for those moving up from XP. I didn't use it as it wasn't going to save me a lot as any important data was already backed up to a USB HD.

If you don't mind backing up your data and reinstalling your apps (something I like to do every couple of years anyways just to clean things up) then the install is relatively painless. It does a great job of recognizing all your devices and peripherals and for the first time ever, I didn't have to go to a hundred web pages looking for new drivers for all my peripherals. They just worked.

I really like Windows 7 and think it's worth the effort. Vista for me lasted about 2 weeks and then I turfed it. Yes, they are very similar but the difference is, Windows 7 works correctly fresh out of the box, not months or years down the road.

Thanks for all of the info.I'm downloading windows 7 now from my school website. I think I will install it this weekend most likely.

password?

Aren't the RAM requirements for running 7 higher than XP? Or did I make that up?

I would expect so. I think XP runs ok with 1 GB, I wouldn't try 7 with less than 2, 4 preferred.

I believe someone (possibly Murph) posted a while ago about a concern for people installing Windows 7 with multiple hard drives or something of that nature. I believe it had something to do with the OS placing some files on the second hard drive, which isn't a good idea, unless specific steps were taken.

Does anyone happen to recall this? I will be installing it with multiple hard drives {they are not in any RAID setup).

Thanks

That's been an issue with all versions of Windows since XP. If you install the OS on the second drive, it'll still write the boot files to the first. If you remove the first drive you can't boot the newly installed OS.

I get around this by making sure the only drive in the machine when I install Windows is the same drive I'm going to be booting from. I then put my other drives back in after the install is done. I use the BIOS to pick the boot drive, and thus the OS I'm going to load at that time. So I have Win7 on one, and Linux on another, both assuming their the first drive in the machine, and thus directly bootable.

Win7 alone will take up almost 1GB on boot so go with at least 2GB. Having said that, I have Win7 running on an old Celeron with 1GB right now, and it is actually useable

That is the best way to do it, or have the drives in removeable racks.

Thanks guys

Unfortunately I believe there is an activation step involved that is tied to my student account. I think you are limited to one copy but not sure.

The downloadable version is the 32bit enterprise version. If you pay $12 for a dvd they will mail the 32bit or 64bit ultimate versions. not bad for free/cheap.

Enterprise is, for the most part, identical to Ultimate.

But without the frisbee...

Yeah, that is what I read Ken.

Well the install went well. Still installing programs and stuff but this machine seems to running windows7 without a problem. Everything is running pretty quick.

I was just kidding David.

Yeah, I know.

So after a little more test driving it appears that my computer is MUCH faster now. I am not sure how much (or any) of that is attributed to windows7 or just the fact that I wiped the slate clean and installed from scratch.

My wife is a teacher, I should have her check if she can get a copy of 7 cheap for my HTPC downstairs...although XP has been nice to me.

7 has H.264 and AC3 decoders built in. So it makes for a nice HTPC. Just add Haali Media Splitter and you can play just about every video you find.

Mostly due to wiping the slate clean assuming you didn't add or change any hardware. You would've noticed the same or greater improvement if you wiped and installed a clean XP. Windows 7 does run much more efficently than Vista though.

That is kind of what I was thinking. My wife runs vista on her laptop... I need to find out if I am limited to one windows7 install or not. If not, I am going to update my wife's laptop as well.

I read the OEM version was limited to 1 computer only.

Catbrat,

I installed windows 7 enterprise version as a download from my school. I just need to find out if my school limits me to one activation per student or not.

Even if they do allow two, whether or not you can use it probably depends on whether your wife is also a student, technically speaking.

You sure about that? I was pretty sure that student/teacher editions were generally for the household.

Now I eat humble pie.




Uh, no, I'm not sure about it.

Mmmmmm...pie......

While I did buy the laptop for my wife for Christmas last year I do use it pretty often myself (I only have a desktop- no laptop of my own). I couldn't see it being a problem to install it on any of our household computers.

If I was installing it at friends or family members houses that would be different.

You should be able to install on any other computer you own, not legally mind you, as the licence is for single use, but you have up to 6(?) installs before you then have to call in to get a new key for authorized use.

Well I have been pretty impressed with Windows7 so am upgrading my wife's laptop right now. As far as I can tell, there is no violation in the license agreement through my school by doing so.
She had vista, so I had the option to upgrade, but went with the complete reinstall instead.

This way I am wiping all of the crap that came preloaded onto the computer from dell and starting fresh.

Here's hoping everything goes smoothly and your wife is happy with the switch.

Haven't heard those words uttered since those parties back in medical school.

I kid, I kid ...

Yeah, the install went fine. She wanted me to intall the new OS on her machine b/c she liked it on the desktop a lot.

I am officially converted. All computers (desktop and laptop) are now running windows 7.

You kids and your newfangled OS's! Why, when I was a kid, windows 3.1 was good enough for US!

I thought you were a kid, football head!

The football head certainly explains why he thought Windows 3.1 was "good."

My Windows 3.1 boots in 4 seconds...

A friend of mine just told me I need to upgrade to 7 from Vista. If I did a clean install, do I have to re-load all my different programs? That would be a bitch, considering that many were purchased and downloaded. Is there a way to install it clean without having to re-load some of the more critical programs with files already saved? I get a headache just thinking about trying to find them all, save them to a different drive, then re-installing them.

Yes, a clean install means you reinstall everything. No, you always have to reinstall everything. You can use Windows Easy Transfer to transfer your saved docs, files, settings, etc (as long as you're careful about it--the defaults don't really grab non-MS products), but you'll never get the applications themselves to transfer.

Oh, and here's the trick. You have to use Windows Easy Transfer for Windows 7 on the Vista install, otherwise the file won't open under Win 7.

If you're running 32 bit, here's the link:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?FamilyID=09d80814-2a73-4245-a63b-8e780d0430cb

Thanks Ken! I think you need to just drag Peter up here and you guys can give my system a tune up. I'll buy the wine and let you drive the Z06 around the block.

When 7 first was released, I got two of the upgrade copies for a great price. Just last week I got around to doing my laptop. I did an upgrade (not the clean install) and it was a piece of cake. All my data and programs transferred though I did have to update a couple of my programs.

I started with Upgrading from Windows Vista to Windows 7. I downloaded and ran the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor.

I was thrilled with how easy it was and how smoothly it went.

Hey, I want in.

j/k - I don't get paid to geek the way Ken and Peter do.

I think Jack's right - you HAVE to do a clean install going from XP to 7, but you can "upgrade" from Vista to 7. I'm sure there are valid reasons to do a clean install anyway.

Mike, why do you "need" to upgrade? I'm still running XP on a bunch of machines, and I don't feel deprived.

So, just leave me oblivious, you guys.

Yeah, i forgot that the upgrade is only good for Vista. XP has to do the clean install. Daunting.

And I forgot to mention that the upgrade is possible. Somewhat risky, but possible. What I'd probably do is make the Win Easy Transfer for 7 file, then do an in-place upgrade (like Jack describes), and if it doesn't work, fall back to doing a clean install and using the Win Easy Transfer file.

I always go for the clean install, then add back in the programs I want. I find the system just runs better without all the extra clutter of removed programs etc. that hang around with an upgrade.

Michael, what about a dual boot? That's what I would suggest.

I did a clean install from Vista to Window 7, using Windows easy transfer made it pretty simple, anything that didn't transfer I had backed up on a separate drive, most of it I rarely used anyhow.
Michael if I didn't have a problem and I'm certainly no computer whiz,you should breeze right through it. Oh, and Windows 7 Imo is much better than Vista.

Mike, I know you were joking, but I'd totally do it. Got airline miles to spare?

I'm really loving windows 7 compared to both vista and xp.

That being said, I've been thinking about getting a Macbook Pro lately...

Tom - I don't "need" to upgrade, I suppose. My buddy just tells me that after I do, I'll wonder why I didn't sooner. He's usually right about this stuff. I actually prefer XP over Vista. I just have odd problems with Vista and some of my programs. I don't with XP.

Cam - I don't know what a dual boot is.

Michael - Thanks bud, but I doubt I'm at your level. I really don't get along well with computers.

Peter - I was only joking about the car. You're welcome to crash at the house if you ever get up this way.

Dual boot is having both operating systems on the same main drive and when the system boots up after a restart or power cycle, it will ask you which O/S you want to run.

I read that too quickly and thought it said Peter was welcome to crash INTO the house if he gets up that way.

Gotta slow down this speed reading.

But on the topic of win7, i just moved over from winxp and put the new OS on a new SSD.
Phenomenal upgrade, but yes, i had to replace some ageing software with newer versions or different brand, similar function.
Boot up time is about 10-15s and boot down in about 5.

Just fantastic.

Y'all that are going to W7, are you using the 64 bit version?

I ran XP64, Vista 64, and now 7 64. 7 is the first version that the 64-bit edition works exactly the same as the 32, but allows me to access the entire 32 GB of RAM in my machine.

Win7 64-bit works great. Just don't try to run 64-bit versions of Internet Explorer or Firefox -- you will run into all sorts of things that don't work. The 32-bit versions of these browsers work fine in 64-bit Win7.

I saw a 3-license upgrade version of W7 at Costco the other day for about $129. Itchy. I hate paying for OS but I'm not dedicated/smart enough to go all Linux on everybody.

Did you just say 32GB OF RAM!

Wow!

That's what my motherboard supported, so that's what I got.

I'm running the 64-bit on 7, not that I even know the diff between 32-bit and 64-bit.

I'm running 6GB of RAM for now but having that much has made a difference when using hog applications.

Win7 can be found for $90 if you look around.