Computers Discussions

I have had vista since January and still don't know what's going on! :)

I've had Vista for almost 2 years now and haven't had any issues with it.  As long as I can get in the internet, buy stuff, post stuff, and then produce some Word Documents for work, then I'm happy. 

Is Windows 7 going to be sold separately as an upgrade option?

I do not know how MS could botch it up worse than Vista. Live and learn. Sadly, many of us are stuck with Vista for quite some time.

Plus, I would note that XP was fine for most users. MS drains people by putting out updated operation systems that do not interchange so that folks have to buy new software. Most hardly ever use all the random bells and whistles. Shame on Microsoft. They could offer a basic and an upgrade and integrate them.

I think Vista was meant to be "user friendly" but the trouble is that many many people were already well-educated on the basic windows systems and Vista meant they had to re-learn a lot.  I hate hate hate how long it takes me to find the "Desktop" when browsing folders on my mom's computer.  Arg.

Anyway, my husband is getting a free copy of 7 from a online school thing he did for work.  He is waiting anxiously!  But hopefully it doesn't come too soon because I got some video files on his computer that I want to make into a DVD first :)

Each version of Windows 7 (Home Basic, Home Premium, Professional, Ultimate, and Business) will be sold separately as an upgrade, but you can also buy the full OS.  If you buy a new computer between now and the end of the year and it ships with Windows Vista, you can get a free upgrade to the corresponding Windows 7 version.

F.Y.I. Windows 7 ships with a Windows DVD Maker application...

Like a lot of Windows users, I have stayed with XP because of the problems with Vista. I have a lot of applications that work on XP. When you made your installations or upgrades, were there any applications that worked on XP, but did not work on 7 (other that the drivers and software that you mentioned).

I already have software which I use for making movies and I already have my movie started.  Takes a lot of time so there's no way I'm starting over.  He'll just have to wait til I'm done :)

Of course Windows 7 is better than Vista. It's the odd numbered version. Microsoft has always (and I do mean ALWAYS!!) screwed up on every even numbered version of software they ever put out. I don't know if they do it on purpose to perpetuate the myth, but it has been true since the very beginning.

There were a few , mostly applications that need 32-bit code-I installed the 64-Bit version of Windows 7-so I made sure that my computer had a processor that supports Virtualization Technology (VT), so that I could then use Windows XP Mode within Windows 7.  Windows 7 Professional, Business, Ultimate and (non-commercial Windows 7 Enterprise) will support Windows XP Mode.  Windows XP Mode is a virtual PC you can download for free from Microsoft.  Once installed and loaded, you can run Windows XP applications within the virtual PC.   I have tested this and it works great! 

If you decide to use Windows XP Mode make sure you have at least 4GB of Ram onboard.   Almost all AMD processors will support Virtualization, but not all Intel processors support VT , so be careful; I found this out the hard way.

Good news: Windows 7 has built-in drivers for many HP and other printers.  I ran across a matrix tonight on HP's website that lists a fair number of it printers as either having drivers within Windows 7 or available for download. 

I'll make sure my husband reads this thread tomorrow...Thanks TheBard & everyone :)

Thank you for the information!

My pleasure...

TheBard ~ my husband glanced at this thread, saying something about Windows 7 being a memory hog.  He builds PC's and has his own biz.  He puts XP Home or Pro on everything he sells, as long as he has the legal keys/COA's.   He says he'll never install Vista, unless he's wiping a box and the customer has the disc.  Anything else would compromise his CompTIA A+ Network+ certifications.  He goes by the book.

He's probably talking about putting Windows 7 on the rinky dink 512's he builds sometimes LOL ~ he says they will stay XP.

I have no clue what he's talking about, I'm no expert :)

I'm stuck with memory sucker Vista on all my computers. I want to get RID of it but can't. Can I reformat and put Windows 7 on? How much is to buy and where?  Vista is grrrr.

Patty, I consulted with the husband - lol ...it should be available retail from sites like Amazon, NewEgg, Best Buy, Office Max.  You may be able to buy an upgrade version that's not as expensive as the full retail.  He doesn't know that for sure, though. 

Hubs says Windows 7 uses memory like Vista, just not as bad.  The install he says, is pretty neat and does alot of things behind the scenes, rather than having to do it yourself.  You'll need a pretty fast processor and 2 gigs of ram to make it run efficiently, which I'm sure you already have. 

the computer i bought had vista already installed on it... is it really as bad as everyone says? i really have nothing to compare it to since it's the only one i've had on this computer.

Nancy,

While I agree that a computer anyone is thinking of should have at least 1GB, but in today's computer market that is not unreasonable.  At base (that is nothing but the OS running) Windows 7 consumes about 800MB of Ram, which is far better than the 1.1 - 1.2GB or Ram.  And the OS is far quicker than wither Windows XP or Windows Vista. 

I am recommending that all of my customer switch to Windows 7 if they are able.  As a matter of course I always load out computers with as much Ram as the customer can afford so most of my customer base is running machines with more than 2GB of Ram.  I just install Windows 7 on a Laptop, a Dell D830 yesterday, and it is running much faster than Windows XP, which was on it before hand.    

Vincent    

Patty, you can reformat and replace with Windows 7; you can also do an "in-place" upgrade depending on your version of Vista.  I am not sure about the final cost, again that depends on what version you want to get.  The cost to upgrade is on Microsoft's website.  Type Windows 7 in the reseach window.   

TheBard said…

Nancy,

While I agree that a computer anyone is thinking of should have at least 1GB, but in today's computer market that is not unreasonable.  At base (that is nothing but the OS running) Windows 7 consumes about 800MB of Ram, which is far better than the 1.1 - 1.2GB or Ram.  And the OS is far quicker than wither Windows XP or Windows Vista. 

I am recommending that all of my customer switch to Windows 7 if they are able.  As a matter of course I always load out computers with as much Ram as the customer can afford so most of my customer base is running machines with more than 2GB of Ram.  I just install Windows 7 on a Laptop, a Dell D830 yesterday, and it is running much faster than Windows XP, which was on it before hand.    

Vincent    

---

Husband says:

Yes, Windows 7 will run fast if the PC is a dual core, but if the PC is a single core processor, with even 2 gigs of ram, XP will perform faster than Windows 7.  Hubby installed Windows 7 on a 1.6 gig AMD with 2 gigs of ram and XP moves so much faster.  This was just a baseline test box.  Boot times and time from clicking on an icon to screen pop are much slower with Windows 7 vs. XP.  Hubs personal favorite is Linux, but it's not ready for mass consumption. 

(He could talk about this all day, but he has a customer waiting and a box he's building)

 

If you are not having any issue with Vista, I wouldn't worry about making the swtch; in other words if it works keep it.

well sometimes my computer runs crappy idk maybe i'm need to free up some space or something ....

Nancy,

I have to admit that I have not installed Windows 7 on a single-core processor, only Dual-Core (or Core2 Duo) and Quad Core, so I cannot speak directly to your husband's results.  But again, one would be hard pressed to actually purchase a computer with a single core process today; all have either a Dual-Core or Quad-Core processors, Intel or AMD.  The only exception that I know if is the Atom processor currently powering Netbook products, but even that dilutive processor can be had in Dual-Core.        

Vincent    

I do have a question re: Windows 7 - when you mention HP, are you talking about printers? I have an HP OfficeJet 6500. Will this affect it's operation? I can't function without a printer.

Also, one question about Vista - I've had Vista on this new computer about 2 months and on occasion (not always) cliking on an icon won't produce results, but a small window comes up saying "windows is unable to locate" & I have to reboot, but I can't reboot from the main screen - I have to shut off at the CPU. Any ideas and will Windows 7 take care of that problem? Appreciate any info anybody has.

TheBard said…

 Nancy,

I have to admit that I have not installed Windows 7 on a single-core processor, only Dual-Core (or Core2 Duo) and Quad Core, so I cannot speak directly to your husband's results.  But again, one would be hard pressed to actually purchase a computer with a single core process today; all have either a Dual-Core or Quad-Core processors, Intel or AMD.  The only exception that I know if is the Atom processor currently powering Netbook products, but even that dilutive processor can be had in Dual-Core.        

Vincent    

---

"But again, one would be hard pressed to actually purchase a computer with a single core process today; all have either a Dual-Core or Quad-Core processors, Intel or AMD." 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

He sells a bit of everything here Vincent...he rebuilds single core, dual core, etc., all with XP installed.  He just built me a (new-to-me) 3 Ghz Hyperthread, I reviewed it.   He's anxiously awaiting Windows 7.   He did ask me the other day what IT certs you have...told him I didn't know.

He's not awake to speak for himself right now though...I just know a bit from what he's been talking about with his IT buddies.

~Nancy

Nancy44 said…

TheBard said…

 Nancy,

I have to admit that I have not installed Windows 7 on a single-core processor, only Dual-Core (or Core2 Duo) and Quad Core, so I cannot speak directly to your husband's results.  But again, one would be hard pressed to actually purchase a computer with a single core process today; all have either a Dual-Core or Quad-Core processors, Intel or AMD.  The only exception that I know if is the Atom processor currently powering Netbook products, but even that dilutive processor can be had in Dual-Core.        

Vincent    

---

"But again, one would be hard pressed to actually purchase a computer with a single core process today; all have either a Dual-Core or Quad-Core processors, Intel or AMD." 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

He sells a bit of everything here Vincent...he rebuilds single core, dual core, etc., all with XP installed.  He just built me a (new-to-me) 3 Ghz Hyperthread, I reviewed it.   He's anxiously awaiting Windows 7.   He did ask me the other day what IT certs you have...told him I didn't know.

He's not awake to speak for himself right now though...I just know a bit from what he's been talking about with his IT buddies.

~Nancy

---

A+, MCSE/MCSA+Messaging

MCTS: MS Exchange Server 2007, Configuration

MCITP: Enterprise Messaging Administrator

Good, I'll be sure he sees this...He's working long 10-hour days doing server installs, etc. for one of the big banks here.  Then building & dealing with customers in his shop on (what little) days he has off.  

He really only likes to do "computer speak" with Certified IT Professionals such as yourself.  He is CompTIA A+ Network+ and is working on more for the future.

:)  Nancy

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I just talked to him, he says:

He has Windows 7 installed, not impressed, it's just as much of a memory and system resource hog as Vista.  So I was wrong about him "anxiously awaiting" Windows 7.

"Yes, it has some handy features and does fancy stuff behind the scenes, it's not what my customers would ultimately want.  Most ppl I deal with know, love and use XP and don't want to change anytime soon.  Not everybody has to be a slave to the latest Microsoft offering.  Try Linux for something completely different."

All I can say is based on my experiences from running Windows 7 over the past year (Basic, Home Premium, Ultimate & Enterprise, Beta, RC1 & RTM) on multiple computers, both laptops and desktop, is that the OS is far and away better than the one it is replacing.  And my experience on Duo Core and Quad Core computers leads me to conclude that Windows 7 utilizes FEWER resources that Vista (on average 256MB on start-up) , is more stable, and runs faster, on both 32-bit and 64-bit clients. 

Microsoft has announced that it will stop supporting Windows XP in the near term and that means no more security patches, hot fixes, or Service Packs.  All too soon the OS will become obsolete despite its support for 64-bit computing.   

I am recommending that my customers move to Windows 7 on a case-to-case basis if it makes sense for their business.  But if I am putting in new PC's for clients, I recommend Windows 7 because I truly believe it will improve overall productivity.

I am looking at more than just the desktop experience, I am also considering how Windows 7 interacts with Microsoft's Network Operating Systems to help improve security, PC deployment (Remote Installation Services), software pushes/installs, VPN, Outlook Anywhere, Outlook Web Access, and a host of other functions that Windows XP either lacks or only does grudgingly.   Not to mention virtualization; yes small and medium sized businesses can take advantage of the technology, but not with Windows XP!

And for most small businesses Linux is not an option even worth considering.