pitty party request

[stokernick]

'puter crashed 3 weeks ago,now at war with Dell,and wondering any reports on Windows7.right now working with our dinosaur HP M45 and going nuts!!!

[Water_Dog]

I'm running 7 Ultimate (Black) and it's not too bad. I'd take a good XP Pro any day, but we all know that support for XP is getting less and less. If given the choice of Vista or 7, I'd take 7. I think it's really Vista cleaned up with some new features and a new name.

[JR IN JAX]

The only thing I have heard negative about Win7 is that the very limited ability to to upgrade prior versions of windows.

[flabum1017]

I have always built my own computers and am currently using one I built 5 years ago. I hate the store bought stuff because yo really don't get the quality or features you really wamt. The one I'm on now has a 3 gig processor, 4 gigs of RAM and a terr of hard drives. I'll soon be building a new one with Hi-Def and will likely load Win7. By the time I'm ready, the bugs should be worked out of 7. But XP Pro is also on the list.

[mackeral5]

still running xppro here, and I'm dragging my feet on upgrading, picture someone trying to drag a mule with a rope and the mule doesn't want to go there. I'm the mule.

on second thought that must mean I'm a jackass:D

[transomstand]

New machine, or did you upgrade an older one?

[WharfRat]

W7 is (IMO) the best release out of the box by MS yet, but no, it won't run well on just anything. I have had no issues on my newer system & no issues on my wife's older system as well. I absolutely hated Vista. & you can only upgrade from Vista but I still recommend a fresh install in all cases. Oh & if you're not aware, they have a XP mode you can run in Ultimate as well, it is VERY handy to have!

[stokernick]

for what it would cost to update I bought a new tower.Dell 546.My bitch is Dell told me I'd have it 12/2/09,and calling for tracking # told it was ''shipped 12/10/09 for delivery 12/16/09 from an order placed 11/25/09!Since I generally only sleep 6 hours a night,I've been going nuts for 3 weeks!!

[sunapeeboater]

W7 is (IMO) the best release out of the box by MS yet, but no, it won't run well on just anything. I have had no issues on my newer system & no issues on my wife's older system as well. I absolutely hated Vista. & you can only upgrade from Vista but I still recommend a fresh install in all cases. Oh & if you're not aware, they have a XP mode you can run in Ultimate as well, it is VERY handy to have!

What where the problems with vista? I know I heard a lot of complaints but I have been running it for over a year and never had an issue.

[cutwater]

Win 7 is good. I've been running it since the Beta version came out. It's faster than Vista on the same hardware. It looks alot like Vista, but doesn't have all the security nags every time you try to change a setting. Vista had alot of bugs, although after SP1, it was fairly stable. I could never get the Mercury Electronic Parts Catalog to work in VIsta, but with the XP Mode in Win 7, you open a window that's a virtual XP machine and load software in it. The Mercury catalog now works!

Basically, if you had a good running XP machine, there was no compelling reason to upgrade to Vista, and many compatibility issues. But it is worth the jump from XP to Win 7. Yes, there are still issues with doing an in place upgrade from XP or Vista, but I never recommend doing that...I'm a fan of a fresh install, then migrate your data.

Nick, you should have lert me know, I usually have a couple decent XP loaner boxes lying around, I would have lent you one!

[berdes]

Go with Apple. I've been thrue all of it since DOS and this new "7" is the last straw. Moving my whole business over to apple.

[Phil's other half...Sue.]

When Vista first came out, I did a clean install of Ultimate (it was over $300.00 at release, needless to say, that was returned and I fought a battle to return it) I absolutely hated it, not compatible with any of my programs especially my video editing software Pinnacle, I was so upset, my computer would freeze up and that stupid circle would just keep spinning...at times I wanted to throw my computer out the window. I lasted about 2 weeks before I had to reinstall a clean version of windows XP prof. back into the computer which is another story because downgrading from Vista back to XP in my Dell XPS was a nightmare, it wouldn't let me, finally I had Dell send me my ghost hard drive software that was originally installed at purchase, NIGHTMARE!!!!! that was in my desktop...I have been running XP prof. ever since, I am to afraid to try a newer OPS 7, but if you guys are telling me it's good, without to many quirks, I might give it a try, I always like new stuff...
My laptop is another story, that one had Vista when it was purchased, supposedly after all the quirks were worked out, payed big money for my VAIO and I still do not like Vista. I hope MS 7 is much better, if not I will stay with XP....I think that was the most stable out of all the OS. I did want to try Apple but it won't run any of my programs, and I have way to much invested in my video editing software.

[Water_Dog]

I've been a "PC" since the days of the 8086 and DOS as well. And I also have a couple of MAC's at home, but I'm still a die hard PC. The MAC has it's own set of issues, it still crashes, or hangs; I find that there is a definite lack of available software for MAC, as well as available upgrade parts. I do enjoy the MAC OS and GUI, it's clean, organized, and easy to use (once you learn how). Over all though, I'll build up a PC just the way I want. like my current liquid cooled beast, and out preform any MAC out there (for less money too). just my .02.

[WharfRat]

sunapee, it was just too user restrictive for me, even with UAC turned off, bloated as all hell too IMO, a few compatability issues as well. Also you couldn't customize it nearly as easy as you can 7 . 7 is just so much faster it seems & a lot less bloated. Wait til you do an install with it, you'll notice the difference immediately. & that XP mode is da bomb. You can run a cisco VPN client in XP Mode on a 64bit machine, never possible before (Cisco refuses to come out with a 64 bit version)

[JR IN JAX]

What where the problems with vista? I know I heard a lot of complaints but I have been running it for over a year and never had an issue.Vista spends a very large percentage of total processor time just making sure that you aren't;doing something Microsoft doesn't want you to do/thinks is illegal.

[JR IN JAX]

Win 7 is good. I've been running it since the Beta version came out. It's faster than Vista on the same hardware. It looks alot like Vista, but doesn't have all the security nags every time you try to change a setting. Vista had alot of bugs, although after SP1, it was fairly stable. I could never get the Mercury Electronic Parts Catalog to work in VIsta, but with the XP Mode in Win 7, you open a window that's a virtual XP machine and load software in it. The Mercury catalog now works!

Basically, if you had a good running XP machine, there was no compelling reason to upgrade to Vista, and many compatibility issues. But it is worth the jump from XP to Win 7. Yes, there are still issues with doing an in place upgrade from XP or Vista, but I never recommend doing that...I'm a fan of a fresh install, then migrate your data.

Nick, you should have lert me know, I usually have a couple decent XP loaner boxes lying around, I would have lent you one!From what I understand, there are very few/no upgrade paths from XP-- to Win7.

[ozziffied]

Being a computer guy.... (I am the IT Director for a large hotel chain) We run windows 7 in the IT-Dept all 4 of us, on both our laptops and desktops. Don't get me wrong, XP rocked but 7 is awsome. 7 is way stable, I run it on my desktop ( 2x Quad cores, 16 gigs of ram, RAID 5 with SSDs and 4 20inch monitors) and it smokes, I run it on my laptop (dell "Z") and it smokes. 7 has allot of new features, just make sure you get ultimate or you will get jiped, espically with multi-socket support.

[4JawChuck]

I built my own computer a few years ago with what was at the time state of the art components. Dual processors, dual 1 terrabyte hard drives, 4 Gig of ram, hot pluggable sata ports and a server case with multispeed large diameter fans etc etc etc, basically a geeks wet dream.

Since Vista was the only OS that would recognize 4 gb of ram I didn't have much of a choice in OS selection. I chose the "Ultimate" version and have not had a single issue with Vista since. Sure none of my webcams work with it (who needs em anyway), had to buy dual video cards to get the full HD triple monitor gaming experience...so yes it was expensive.

I just don't see why so many complaints when everything I have works so perfectly. BTW Vista has compatibility modes for all previous MS OS'es built in, I'm viewing S&F in XP mode now since the ads load and place themselves properly and the VBulletin software has issues with some features in Vista.

Everytime someone mentions a feature that Windows 7 has that makes it so better I point out Vista has that already, I think the "Tiling" function for open windows is one I hear most often...thats been in Windows since 2000 !?

http://www.tech-recipes.com/rx/830/xp_vista_tile_windows_side_by_side_one_over_another/

I don't get all the hoopla over Windows 7 when the only thing I can see different is I don't have to authorize changes made to the OS by clicking "yes" from time to time...honestly how often do you do that anyway? I do think MS made a mistake in saying Vista would work OK on some lower spec'ed units, it needs memory space and processing power to work efficiently.

I don't think upgrading to W7 from Vista is worth $300 when Vista is the same OS in almost every respect.

[sunapeeboater]

I built my own computer a few years ago with what was at the time state of the art components. Dual processors, dual 1 terrabyte hard drives, 4 Gig of ram, hot pluggable sata ports and a server case with multispeed large diameter fans etc etc etc, basically a geeks wet dream.

Since Vista was the only OS that would recognize 4 gb of ram I didn't have much of a choice in OS selection. I chose the "Ultimate" version and have not had a single issue with Vista since. Sure none of my webcams work with it (who needs em anyway), had to buy dual video cards to get the full HD triple monitor gaming experience...so yes it was expensive.

I just don't see why so many complaints when everything I have works so perfectly. BTW Vista has compatibility modes for all previous MS OS'es built in, I'm viewing S&F in XP mode now since the ads load and place themselves properly and the VBulletin software has issues with some features in Vista.

Everytime someone mentions a feature that Windows 7 has that makes it so better I point out Vista has that already, I think the "Tiling" function for open windows is one I hear most often...thats been in Windows since 2000 !?

http://www.tech-recipes.com/rx/830/xp_vista_tile_windows_side_by_side_one_over_another/

I don't get all the hoopla over Windows 7 when the only thing I can see different is I don't have to authorize changes made to the OS by clicking "yes" from time to time...honestly how often do you do that anyway? I do think MS made a mistake in saying Vista would work OK on some lower spec'ed units, it needs memory space and processing power to work efficiently.

I don't think upgrading to W7 from Vista is worth $300 when Vista is the same OS in almost every respect.

That was why I was asking I actually like the way vista runs and have never had a problem with it. I do have 2 other computers here that I run XP professional and like them to.

[WharfRat]

If you're paying $300 for W7, you're getting ripped off. Also, Vista wasn't the only OS to recognize RAM over 4gig, you just needed the 64 bit version, I believe it is the same with XP, Vista & W7, 32 bit will only see 4gig of RAM if I remember correctly.

[Hippie459MN]

If you think Win7 and Vista are two different animals. I could list all the new features that 7 has that vista doesnt, how much less resourses 7 uses that vista does, the list goes on... I am even able to use Win7 on a tiny netbook as where Visat was a no go cause it was a huge memory hog.

Windows 7 is the way to go now and yes, if you paying $300 for an upgrade someone seen you coming.

I can get Win7 home prem full install (Not upgrade) for $189 and that includes both the 32 and 64 bit version. Now if you want full ultimate (not upgrade) then yes, $289 it is. :)

[stokernick]

holy crap,thanks for all the input,I hope y'all realize I'm not into all the ''ultimates'',I just want to do the basics---S&F,email,etc.Even working with the ancient HP M45,at least I'm back,just no photo/video performance!It's hell to be old,but worse to be old& dumb!!
Thanks again!

[cutwater]

From what I understand, there are very few/no upgrade paths from XP-- to Win7.

There is a "Windows Easy Transfer Wizard" that is supposed to collect your files, settings, IE favorites, emails (as long as it's in Outlook or OUtlook Express), desktop layout, etc, that you install on the XP machine and run. It creates a single profile file per user. Then you move that file, which could be huge, to the new machine and run the wizard again and it configures the new PC.

Worked fine going from Vista Ultimate to Win 7 Ultimate. Have not tried it on an XP box yet, but I have dozens of clients that may do an XP to 7 upgrade next year, so I'm hoping it works.

[transomstand]

holy crap,thanks for all the input,I hope y'all realize I'm not into all the ''ultimates'',I just want to do the basics---S&F,email,etc.Even working with the ancient HP M45,at least I'm back,just no photo/video performance!It's hell to be old,but worse to be old& dumb!!
Thanks again!

I can get you one of these, easy to use :D

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd58/transomstand/COMPUTERJPG.jpg

[JR IN JAX]

There is a "Windows Easy Transfer Wizard" that is supposed to collect your files, settings, IE favorites, emails (as long as it's in Outlook or OUtlook Express), desktop layout, etc, that you install on the XP machine and run. It creates a single profile file per user. Then you move that file, which could be huge, to the new machine and run the wizard again and it configures the new PC.

Worked fine going from Vista Ultimate to Win 7 Ultimate. Have not tried it on an XP box yet, but I have dozens of clients that may do an XP to 7 upgrade next year, so I'm hoping it works.For some reason, known only in the depths of Microsoft, the Vista [same type] to Win7 [same type] is not that bad.
The XP [same type] to Win7 [same type] will not transfer. Everything has to be ghosted to a external drive and then eventually all of your apps will have to be reloaded/reregistered with their product support, just like doing a fresh install. Most have found it better just to buy a new computer with OEM software [just like the Mac commercial on TV].

I have read of some third party providers [like lap-link] coming out with carryover applications but I haven't used one.

It is amazing there is no support for XP after this July. I am sure this will also sell more MACs. Microsoft is following Obama's gameplan?

[cutwater]

Depends on the scenario - an inplace upgrade from XP to 7 won't work, you are right. The method I was referring to was if you by a new Win 7 box, how do you get all your data on to it...in my scenario, all programs have to get reinstalled....

Anyhow, why would anyone want to run their old hardware? Even it if was enough to run Win 7, I'd worry about 3+ year old drives failing, etc.

I think you are right, people may think Mac...depends, my clients are small businesses and their software won't work on Macs. For home use, or especially in graphics design, the Mac is great.

Hopefully, it will be confusing enough that my dusty phone will start ringing off the hook :D



For some reason, known only in the depths of Microsoft, the Vista [same type] to Win7 [same type] is not that bad.
The XP [same type] to Win7 [same type] will not transfer. Everything has to be ghosted to a external drive and then eventually all of your apps will have to be reloaded/reregistered with their product support, just like doing a fresh install. Most have found it better just to buy a new computer with OEM software [just like the Mac commercial on TV].

I have read of some third party providers [like lap-link] coming out with carryover applications but I haven't used one.

It is amazing there is no support for XP after this July. I am sure this will also sell more MACs. Microsoft is following Obama's gameplan?

[stokernick]

Pete,my granddaughters[3] all had them but they outgrew them @age 3,so I won't need your's!Now I'm wondering when the new tower arrives do I just start oevr,cuz I'm sure I've lost all my history with the crash,and,no,I didn't back any of it up,another lesson in stupidity!

[transomstand]

Depends on how much value you place on what was in there, that data may be able to be recovered.

[stokernick]

mainly pictures[and a few porn sites] yah,right!

[transomstand]

Do you know the cause? Drive failure?

[jphii]

Do you know the cause? Drive failure?

At his age drive failure happened a LONG time ago:D:D:D

[sunapeeboater]

At his age drive failure happened a LONG time ago:D:D:D

LMAO :eek::leaving:

[transomstand]

Stop making jokes you guys, if there's pictures of me in that machine, that data needs to be recovered :D

[JR IN JAX]

Every since my Dell laptop ate it's drive, I have been using Acronis to clone all our company drives that are more than 3 years old. The replacement drives are $60-90 at Best Buy and Acronis is $39 at NewEgg.com. We store the swapped out drives in freezer bags in our company safe.
You will need a USB portable External drive to act as a go-between while cloning, unless you have a external harness for the new drive.
It takes about an Hour, in/out.

[stokernick]

Horvath,you're still incorrigible,but I like you!We're back in businesswith the new tower and windows7,so let the games begin!