I have Windows 7, not as an upgrade to some previous version, but as a new factory made laptop with Win 7 Home premium 64 bit pre-installed. FWIW, in case anyone is interested, I'll record my impressions on Win 7 and migrating applications. Any other EWin 7 users feel free to jump in.
The new Computer: Dell Studio 15, Intel Duo core T6600 2.2 GHz CPU with 2 MB L2 cache, 4 GB RAM, 540 GB HDD
FIRST... for you users of Mozilla's Firefox browser and Thunderbird email client I found a very easy profile mover. It's a third party free program called Mozbackup. I used it to move my email profiles (all 6) and all associated email, address books with ease. Ditto on moving all the Firefox bookmarks.
Win7 is a big change when moving from XP. Many things work differently.
The built in Win7 help and support has been great. I've done a phrase search on a few tasks and the needed assistance has popped up without having to do a lot of refining. :D
I read on Amazon that you can upgrade it to Professional from Premium, and there is an XP emulation mode for programs that won't run on 7.
I've been running Win7 for 3 or 4 weeks now, on an ASUS laptop from Best Buy. I thought that the networking ability is outstanding. Very, very easy to network.
It still has application crashes from which it does not recover...notably IE.
I have some quirks that I am attempting to work through. For instance, when I attach my backup hard drive, it takes a long time to recognize and map.
Most interesting. I just bought the same Dell computer Don mentions in his first post. 64 bit Win 7 installed in a powerful laptop. I'm hoping to use it with my keyboard, mouse and large screen monitor as a desktop replacement - so I can just unplug when I hit the road.
Now I'm constantly trying to keep a desktop and laptop in sync.
I experimented with Win 7 for awhile and it seems to run most of my old programs (including some that date back to 16 bit DOS). I will let you know how these work on the new 64 bit machine.
Frank, yes the network setup was the easiest I have ever done. The other two computers were found, and online in almost no time. Although I did have to manually enter their IP's in the security software trusted list. But that's no biggie.
I'm pretty happy at this time. It's especially nice having an "F" key that works. ;D
John, that sounds like a very workable plan. My brother in law has done that for some time. I have to do some software installations and hope things go well with some of the older products. We'll see.
Glenn, I believe the possibilty to change Home premium into Professional only works with n upgrade or a full version new disk, not with the OEM pre-installed OS. I might be wrong on that but it seems to be that I read something about that a month ago.
I have been an early beta tester for W7. I've been using it for almost a year now and I must say that even the beta versions were rock solid. Its been a dream compared to Vista.
This is a little frightening. A new version of Windows that seems to work. ???
It's still early in the game, but I am impressed. I've installed a couple old programs, both dating from the days of Windows 98 They function! Okay one of them has a segment that won't. I receive a not compatible with the 64 bit system message. BUT, it does not crash Win 7. I've never used that segment of the program so it matters not. :D
I just found out it is possible to upgrade this Home Premium version of Win 7 to Pro or Ultimate online by paying some extra to MS. That's kind of cool. Not that I need it.
I have one program - Quickbooks 2003, that I heard will not run on Vista, so I assume the same of 7, so I would upgrade for XP compatibility to get that to run. Every year they (Intuit) upgrade it and add tons of bloatware for a extravagant price. I just want to keep using the old one that works just fine. I do my books on it - invoices etc.
Amazon has the upgrade preloaded in some deals and you just pay a bit to get the unlock code.
Looks like the upgrade may be in any Win7 computer already - just pay the piper...
http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html/ref=amb_link_85811351_1?ie=UTF8&docId=1000432591&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=product-alert&pf_rd_r=1VTP2SNEKXGWB9WFBGD0&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_p=495161751&pf_rd_i=B002DHLV8S
The Win7 calculator does square roots!!!!
I am jumping on the wagon with this now. The XP compatibility mode in professional may let me use my Quickbooks I hope.
My inverter is going out on my HP screen (screen occasionally goes to rolling snow) besides having replaced 2 hard drives (one unrecoverable as it was the system drive - had to go to the factory - came back a bit messed up but usable). That has happened on one of my other HPs. My CD player is out. My screen hinge is broke. My charging cord - replaced 3 times, is intermittent again at the case plug this time. It's pretty outdated besides.
I couldn't find a much better deal than this... http://www.amazon.com/Toshiba-Satellite-P505-S8970-18-4-Inch-Laptop/dp/B002OL2LUA/ref=pd_rhf_p_t_1
I wanted the 18.4 inch screen since I use it in place of a desktop computer.
HP Laptop sound systems pretty much suck. I'm hoping for better on the Toshiba.
The upgrade is pretty cheap from premium to pro on the anytime upgrade($85)
http://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-Windows-Anytime-Upgrade-Professional/dp/B002JYU5WI/ref=br_lf_m_1000432591_1_2_ttl?ie=UTF8&s=software&pf_rd_p=493372291&pf_rd_s=center-3&pf_rd_t=1401&pf_rd_i=1000432591&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1ZHB2ZVPKHWTPMQEAS0T
- not the full upgrade ($185)-
QuoteWindows Anytime Upgrade
No disks, no delays. And no leaving the house: With Windows Anytime Upgrade, you can upgrade to a more advanced edition of Windows 7 in as little as 10 minutes. That way, you get to take advantage of extra features while keeping your current programs, files, and settings intact.
In the past, upgrading Windows could be a bit of a hassle. In Windows 7, the software you need comes preinstalled. All you have to do is purchase an upgrade key from Microsoft or another authorized retailer to unlock those shiny new features.
Get more now. Move up to Windows 7 Professional.
Windows 7 Professional has everything you need for work and home. Run many Windows XP productivity programs in Windows XP Mode2 and keep important information safer with file encryption and automatic back-ups. Connect to business networks and move more easily between business and home networks. And with all the great entertainment features of Windows Home Premium, like Windows Media Center, it's great for home as well as for business.
I spent several hours in town looking last night - couldn't beat Amazon and couldn't find one 18.4" computer of any brand or price.
I've been using Toshiba laptops since 1995 (yes they made them back then), except for a short stint with a used IBM which crashed with the blue screen of death.
The Toshibas are really reliable, they never died, the technology just got left behind so I had to move up. I haven't had a desktop for years.
The sound has improved, but don't expect much from any laptop speakers...headphones or external speakers give you wonderful full rich sound. :D
Good investment in my book.
Thanks, considerations. We also have a plug in sound system that is small but surprisingly good sounding with a sub-woofer on the floor... It will shake the room pretty good.....for when we really want to get into a movie or rock and roll.
We don't watch TV so a big computer is it for us. We also have a computer projector - just pull the sheet off the bed - hang it up and we have our own drive in theater... to lazy to use it more than once every couple years though.
I have been using Windows 7 64 bit version since the Release Candidate came out. This is in a desktop computer that I built myself and I originally had XP home premium SP3 on it. I liked it a lot from day one. I also pre-ordered the upgrade version when it was available for fifty bucks. One slight problem I had was that the release version requires "signed drivers" which the RC didn't. I had to get a new wireless adapter that would work, my cheap Edimax slot mount adapter wouldn't work. I did find a really great usb adapter that was plug and play with Win 7. It is from Zonet(had never heard of them but works better for me than the "name brand: ones. I don't want to mention the Etailer I ordered it from because I don't think that is allowed here BUT......may I take this opportunity to recommend this forum for anyone who has computer problems:
http://www.eggxpert.com/ (http://www.eggxpert.com/)
This is my second favorite forum(guess which is No 1) The advice available there is top notch with virtually no drama.
Anyway, back to Win 7, with the home premium version, many XP programs will install in XP compatibility mode. The more expensive versions let you run a virtual XP machine within Win7.
Thanks - didn't find that info earlier.
It is OK to post third party links if it benefits other members. The advertising limitation is mainly on self promotion or commercial third party advertisers.
Well now, I have a list of programs that have given me grief. :(
MS Publisher 2002
MS Office XP (Open Office... OOo will take the place of MS Office)
Sony Vegas Pro Movie editor, v 7
Adobe Acrobat Pro, v 7
Roxio Easy CD/DVD 7
Garmin Mapsource 2.02
Norton Ghost 12, I bought v 15
Cool Edit Pro 2 (sound editor)
Mostly those are all old and have upgrade$ available. I can also still run them on the XP desktop.
Electrical Designer Resource kit... this was a complete and utter disaster!! After the initial install failed, it would keep trying to reinstall every time the computer would boot. Windows "remove programs" would not. Windows "restore" would not. I could kill it through Task Manager, but it came back on every reboot. JV16 Tools would not repair the OS. Neither would CCleaner. In the end I copied all my data files to the Toshiba USB external drive and then used the system recovery, wiping out everything and putting the system back to a new box configuration. >:( I'm back up and running and have now completed reinstalling all the programs that worked. I've also done a couple full system backups along the way just in case something else messes with Win7.
On the other hand some other equally old software runs fine.
Photoshop 7
Hotmetal 6
Nat Geo Topo!
Paint Shop Pro 7
So this raises the question of upgrading Windows 7 Home Premium to Professional. ??? I've read divided opinions on the XP that it has built in. I've read some say it runs sluggish. That you then have a second OS to keep updated and secure.... ???
While I had a messed up system I also tried several other oldies that I use infrequently and found most to work.
Anyhow, I still like Win7, just don't like the fact that I have some 'too old' software.
Bummer that there are problems with that many. My computer has been shipped but not the upgrade yet. Soon we will see.
I hate program problems because I always feel challenged to fix them ..... [frus]
...and it's not my fault... [noidea'
Chill. I'm sort of the same way, but this time I'm chilling. I didn't cause the problem. I didn't even get angry when I had a mess, just said okay, that's bad. We'll start over. I'm proud of myself. I've done a few things with OOo (that's the officvial shorthand for OpenOffice.org) and it works nicely. Gotta save the ranting for something that's worth it. ;D
I don't use some of those with the problems much anyways.
I'll be making another disc image tonight.
I read on Vista that the problems causing the incompatibility were actually corrections to old bad programming that had been allowed to continue by MS and that now the time has come to correct that. I can live with the compatibility mode or virtual machine and am hoping that will work with the programs I would like to run.
I have a full copy of MS Office - it is old and I don't use it at all often but would like it to work. It is rather expensive to upgrade and I don't need an upgrade.... it is far beyond my capabilities already... [waiting]
Open Office; free
://www.openoffice.org/
Earlier this year the price on Office 2007 dropped drastically, as I remember the Office 2007 Small Business upgrade was as low as $99.95. Its now back up to $ 239.99 or more. I should have gotten it then. The best deal right now is the Home and Student edition 3 pack. This contains Excel, Word and PowerPoint and can be installed on three computers, I have seen it for about eighty five bucks or so.
Don, have you messed around with the desktop gadgets yet, some fun stuff there. I really like the retro looking cpu monitor, two dials show cpu and memory usage.
Gadgets.... yessir I have. ;)
The Win 7 workspace is getting to feel real good. :) :)
I don't use Word, Excel and Access much at all any more, so I think I'm going to be satisfied with OOo. 8)
I just installed my old version of Office '97 successfully on the 64 bit Win-7. I generally use google docs but sometimes need to access the old chestnuts for doc and xls files.
The 3D Home Architect ver. 3 program did not install at all >:(
I have cobbled together a few old Dos programs that will run in the free "DOSBox" program. They are not as fast and clean as they were in XP.
Maybe I need to reach further back in the drawer... ;)
Good to know, John. Thanks. Just checked and looks like I have the 2002 Office package.
I use Excel for spreadsheets -estimating and some invoicing and Publisher for my business cards --- that way I can be anybody I want to be.... [waiting]
Glen, do you remember "The Rockford Files", Jim Rockford kept a small printing press in the back seat of his car for printing business cards. Are you adding another talent to your arsenal, Private Eye?
I remember Rockford... and I love investigating... [idea] but while may states don't need a license, commie California does.... I can be something else I guess.... [waiting]
Got the new Computer--- No problems yet but have only succeded in getting Firefox up and running with add-ons. Just found out it was delivered when I checked tracking 8:30 PM delivery. Sue the UPS lady signed foir it for me and put it in my lockbox by the gate.
Fun - It's big.
I named it "Glenn's Gigantic One"..... [waiting]
Well Glenn, glad you got it up.....and running.
Just be glad you didn't get the infamous ups "drive by delivery" where they just kinda slow down the truck and pitch the package near the delivery zone. Maybe someone here can come up with an official CountryPlans desktop theme???
We don't get that up here, OkieJohn2. It is a very small hillbilly community. We know where they live..... [waiting]
This computer has a new feature where every time I move too hard it parks the hard-drive head to prevent damage to the data. I never knew I was that dangerous.... d*
Quickbooks 2003 will not run in Home Premium, but my upgrade to pro is on the way and reviews I read say that about anything should run in the virtual machine, but I did read that the hardware needs to support the virtual machine. Hope this one does.
Well, I believe you have the right processor. IIRC it's the same one I have and IIRC it has the capability.
I think so -
"Intel Core 2 Duo Processing Power
The Intel Core 2 Duo T6600 processor has a 2.2 GHz processor speed, fast 800 MHz front-side bus (FSB), and 2 MB L2 cache. (An L2, or secondary, cache temporarily stores data; and a larger L2 cache can help speed up your system's performance. The FSB carries data between the CPU and RAM, and a faster front-side bus will deliver better overall performance.) It's optimized for multitasking and is ready to support the Microsoft Windows 7 operating system."
That was the reason I went looking for a 6600 processor. I wanted to have the open door available. I'm waiting to hear about your Professional/XP experience as I think that's a sensible tbhing for me. If it really works well enough. It would be okay if it operates a little slower as it would mean several programs I have would at least work. They cost $$$ to replace/upgrade. G/L to us both. :)
Quote from: considerations on December 11, 2009, 02:38:20 PM
I've been using Toshiba laptops since 1995 (yes they made them back then), except for a short stint with a used IBM which crashed with the blue screen of death.
The Toshibas are really reliable, they never died, the technology just got left behind so I had to move up. I haven't had a desktop for years.
The sound has improved, but don't expect much from any laptop speakers...headphones or external speakers give you wonderful full rich sound. :D
Good investment in my book.
considerations, I got the new Toshiba and am totally happy with the size, modern look and layout of it.
18.4 diag. screen. Not quite as large as a TV but it will do. We do not watch TV so like to watch documentaries - travel shows - occasional movie on the computer. Streaming video is getting great now. Hulu has some good quality video.
I also quit using desktops years ago. The sound is better - pretty good considering it is a laptop. The looks -- it makes all of my old HP's and IBM look like bricks.
Gadwin Printscreen (free) and Adobe Photoshop Album Starter Edition 3.2 (free- discontinued because it was too good I think, but I have my old unlock code) both work with Win7 so I can put pix in CP from the new computer now.
OK... finding out that Intel has a real mishmash of processors that do and do not support virtual machine technology( VT).
Of course my T6600 core duo does not have it.
I found a remedy in the comments here... http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/2819-63-intel-su7300-t6600-comparison
http://vmlite.org/
vmlite does not require hardware virtualization and is supposed to run better and faster than the Microsoft stuff. d*
Will it work? [noidea'
I haven't found where it says they want money for it yet.
I upgraded to Win7 Professional. Fairly painless with the anytime upgrade - maybe 10 minutes of the computer loading and restarting a few times - unusable during that time. I had to restart my wireless as it lost internet on return. That came back. It now indicates that my sound device is not on, however it really is. Don't know what that is about. The usual stuff we get from an Microsoft upgrade.... d*
There is a test to see if your machine will support it -- the test agrees with Tom's site - mine does not have VT. Test - item 2 this page http://www.microsoft.com/windows/virtual-pc/download.aspx
List of those that support VT
http://www.tomshardware.com/news/windows-xp-mode-virtualization-intel,7709.html
Now my speakers - sound device says it is working -- self healing - or was working loading in the background without any indication it was still loading.I had fooled with the sound devices in control panel a half dozen times but never immediately got an indication it was working. [noidea'
VMLite works. QuickBooks 2003 is up and running in Win7, in an XP Machine.
(https://i778.photobucket.com/albums/yy62/the_troglodyte/VMLiteQB2003.jpg)
Why is it that the small guys can do a better job than Microsoft? hmm How can they do this without charging for it? hmm
http://vmlite.org/
After the Pro upgrade, VMLite installs then it installs the MS Virtual Machine from Microsoft.. I assume the upgrade is still necessary but not sure. The XP machine does phone home.... [waiting]
The VM is pretty cool. I have been playing with it quite a bit. I loaded Firefox into it - imported my bookmarks from the host computer (same but Win7 portion). There is a network set up back to the host so you can access files. About 1/4 of my hard drive has been allocated to the VM, but it still shows up in the VM as drive C but it is not the same C as in Win7
You switch back and forth via a button on the Win7 taskbar but everything seems to work for the computer you are on depending on which computer you are on, ie: the CD works for the XP computer if you load it while in the XP VM.
Glenn, just curious, have you tried 3D Home architect on it yet?
No, I haven't, OkieJohn2. I have it....somewhere, but have not used it in years. If I can find it I will load it.
hmm At this point it does not look like I will find it at any time soon. My guess is that if it ran on xp it will run in the VM XP.
I'm also hoping to run 3D Home Architect 3 on a 64 bit Windows 7 install. Looks like this could work.
Is VM Lite XP (http://www.vmlite.com/index.php/products/vmlite-xp-mode) a free program?
It looks like you need to install a valid disk image? of Windows XP that you get from Microsoft?? (this from the VM site). Not sure how complex that all is.
I have a disk version of XP Home, but all other copies are OEM installs to the hard drive.
The xp is downloaded automatically after the VM Lite by the install program as I recall d* It was a bit interesting and I forgot how I got to all of the places I got to but it seems the VMLite took care of it and DLed it from Microsoft. It verified that I had a legal copy and it did pass inspection.
The VMLite is free for home use as I read it and so far it hasn't hit me up for any money. It is a bit confusing as it looks like it may not be free in some cases but then they mention to get your friends to use their free program. [noidea'
I think you may have to upgrade to Windows 7 Professional to do the virtual machine but..... I am not sure --- it may be possible to do it without the upgrade if using the VM Lite because the Microsoft one for the processor set up to run a virtual machine required the Professional upgrade to get the capability to do it. I would suggest trying to run the VM lite without the upgrade to see if it will go ahead and load the XP from Microsoft. They likely set it up so that you still have to have the Professional upgrade anyway,
It looks like the Win7 anytime upgrade is in all Win7 machines and you just have to pay the fee to get the unlock code from Microsoft then in about ten minutes it upgrades itself -after the shutdowns and startups during which time you cannot use your machine.
Wish I could find mine to try it but I think it will run on this machine if it ran on XP.
The XP is DLed from the internet.
The anytime upgrade may be cheaper from Amazon than the online upgrade from MS - not sure.
I could be confused, but my understanding on using VMlite was that you need a legal stand alone copy of Windows XP for it to use. Am OEM disc will not work. My understanding was also that you do not need Win 7 Pro to use the VMlite, but if one goes that route thatwould supply you with the required legal copy of WinXP.
I'm going to look into that when I can...
I think that the legal copy of the XP likely comes from the Win7 upgrade to Pro, as it is checked for authenticity by MS, but could it come with Win7 as approval for a licensed copy from MS rather than with the upgrade?
Also, I didn't see a way to upload XP from a disk.
Count on Microsoft to have a confusing array of variations of the same operating system. ???
New slight problem with the VMLite- It doesn't yet support USB devices except for one they listed - maybe a jump drive or something. My HP printer won't work yet - they say a few months as it is a major bit of work, but they are going to get it they say. Also haven't found a way to make it find the modem.
Looks like it's Gadwin Printscreen for now.
I ran across this today, haven't tried it yet but it looks interesting:
Windows 7 GodMode
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13860_3-10423985-56.html?part=rss&subj=news&tag=2547-1_3-0-20 (http://news.cnet.com/8301-13860_3-10423985-56.html?part=rss&subj=news&tag=2547-1_3-0-20)
Wow! 267 different things in there. ... must investigate
Cool tool!
Yagh, I'll let you guys work out the bugs before i get serious about Windows 7. [scared]
I did manage to crash Win7 with no way out but a hard shutdown and restart ...no control-alt-delete.... - nuttin' :(
I think it was Firefox totally hogging all of the memory. I run 30 or so tabs on the average. They don't always play together well... [waiting]
My experience has been great. Win 7 feels a little different but works very well. I did have a total freeze up once, but like Glenn it may have been related to a Firefox thing. I am also having some issues with Firefox not wanting to download files at times. IE8 that comes with Win7 has no problems with that. ???
I have no hesitation in recommending Win7 on any new PC. If you are considering upgrading an existing computer run the upgrade advisor that MS has available. I've run it on a couple other computers we have and I would not bother trying to upgrade them. There are too many issues to deal with.
Win7 is a winner, IMO.
Hate to admit it but I am pretty happy with it too. :) .... for the most part... [waiting]