Computers Discussions

Hubs says:

"That's all fine and dandy for the corporate world with a fat IT budget.  For your average consumer at home, sitting on maybe single core, hyperthread or low-end dual core, they still want XP.  They hate Vista, they don't trust Microsoft, as neither do I, so they're going to stick with XP until they have to change.

Your point about support for XP I would rebutt with "what about Netbooks?", they're offering XP in a stripped-down version on brand new PC's.  That means it's going to be supported.  Why else would they be selling it brand new?  It's fine to sit on the mountain, but when you deal with the end user like I do, they just want something that works that they know and trust. 

Just because most ppl don't want to learn Linux does not mean it's not a viable option for the end user. Corporations, maybe not...but if you're sitting at home, surfing and emailing, there's really no more secure, easy to use operating system once you learn it.

I do contract work for 2 large corps. right now in excess of 10-20,000 stations.  They still run XP w/SP 2.  They're not changing anytime soon.  You seem to be ignoring the whole open source movement, even the exhaulted Microsoft is adopting open-source ideas in Windows 7."

 

That's not me, that's him.  That is also the LAST time I'm gonna let him "post" on this thread~!  You two are from completely different worlds IT worlds, it seems. 

I don't know where all the line breaks went to on my previous post, maybe I should get a MS cert to find out?

Dude, it's a frickin' operating system, not The Alamo.

We just bought a new Dell system and you are right.  I love Windows 7.  So far no troubles --just a little getting used to because there are some differences but that is to be expected.

Cheap B.

I will admit that I do make my living from architecting, installing, and supporting Microsoft products, but I do not drink their cool-aid so-to-speak.   I have been in this business since 1985, I know and can administer UNIX, AIX and Linux.  Though Microsoft certified, I speak OS/2, I speak Cisco, I speak Symantec, I speak Ironport, I speak IBM, I speak DB2, I speak Adobe, and I speak Oracle and Sybase as well.

The reason I stated that Linux is not ready for the SOHO market place is because there are very few applications outside of web servers and free office products written for the OS that small businesses can use and rely upon. 

Yes Linux is stable, open-market and beloved, but ready for the SOHO arena it is not!  I would never feel comfortable, and frankly I would lose the majority of my customer-base, if I steered them toward Linux. 

Yes, there are Open Source applications available, but where do you turn when said applications fail and your business depends on said application?  Downtime equals lost revenue!  My small business clients need applications that are backed by proven support networks. 

And for the record, I had (almost) nothing good to say about Windows Vista, and I did not recommend it to my clients.  And how can you speak on the viability, veracity, or stability of a given OS (Vista or Windows 7) if you have never used it?  And how can I take you seriously if you have never bothered to gain certifications in anything?  I am proud of my certifications, I worked hard for every one of them, and they prove to my peers and clients that I have the necessary skills to perform the work they are paying me handsomely to do!    

As for not "being worth hiring" I have plenty of past and present clients that would beg to differ with you.    

Vincent a.k.a. ~The Bard~   

I just bought an HP laptop that is coming with Windows 7 installed. I want to do all my comps with it since they are all stuck with Vista (I loved XP but all but my little 10.1 netbook have Vista now).

I wonder if I can put the Windows 7 OS I get with the new laptop on my other comps? (One is 10 months old, the other is new in that it was refurbished when I sent my defective Dell back and they replaced it with a worse Dell.) I assume one needs a key for each computer that the OS is installed on.

I really don't like Vista because it kills my RAM among other things.

First off @pitcherday... it was Friday at about midnight, I was posting a rant on a consumer opinion website about computer OS's (that I don't even use)... AND YOU WANT ME TO KEEP THINGS IN PERSPECTIVE?!?!?!? Sheesh. Second... B. I don't know what "speaking" xxx means, but you have gained several MS issued Certifications - for which you are rightfully proud. I have no doubt you are a skilled and competent professional when it comes to arch, inst, supp MS products (the bit about not "being worth hiring" was uncalled for, beer induced, rhetorical flourish at the end, please accept my apology.) But I have met too many with similar qualifications (corporate certifications to be specific) that did not know what they were talking about to trust any opinion coming from a certification. If I know more than an MCSE about anything related to computers... especially networking windows boxes (and that HAS happened) the MCSE cert. looses some of its MOJO in my mind! To your concerns... I did not speak to the viability, veracity, or stability of either Vista or Windows 7. I questioned your choice of comparisons. It seems to me the question is never going to be "Should I buy W7, or stick with Vista?" Its going to be "Should I ditch XP, and buy W7?" There will never be a "downgrade" program to replace W7 with Vista! (at least MS hopes not!!! ;-) As far as taking me seriously, your claims of MS certification (while I certainly grant they are true) could just as easily be fabricated. My opinion of YOU is based upon what you SAY. I would ask your opinion of ME, be based upon what I say. Do I post things that are not true - then I don't know what I am talking about, and can be disregarded. My veracity is under constant review, I know that much.

That depends on what you mean by "can I". You will very likely be able to install and run W7 on any computer that can run Vista. It is all down to a licensing issue. Just buy enough copies of W7, and your golden.

Patty, I am afraid you cannot install Windows 7 on more than one computer.  During the install process you will be asked to provide the install key and activate the OS.  If you do not do so during the install, you will have (3) days to provde the activation key and activate the OS via the Internet, or voer the phone. 

If the computer fails to activate with in those (3) days the OS will stop working. You will need to purchase a sperate Windows 7 OS instance for each PC.

Vincent

TheBard said…

Patty, I am afraid you cannot install Windows 7 on more than one computer.  During the install process you will be asked to provide the install key and activate the OS.  If you do not do so during the install, you will have (3) days to provde the activation key and activate the OS via the Internet, or voer the phone. 

If the computer fails to activate with in those (3) days the OS will stop working. You will need to purchase a sperate Windows 7 OS instance for each PC.

Vincent

---

Thanks. That is what I thought. I know people who are giving out key codes (I have no idea where they are getting them.) but I will just do it the right way. I may be able to update one of my computers for less because I bought it during a certain time frame and they are giving discounts on Windows 7. I'm eager to see how it runs. My computer should get here late next week.

I got my Windows 7 Ultimate and absolutely love it! we installed it on my laptop and husband's 64 bit laptop and are thinking of upgrading the rest of our computers. Much much better then Vista! I hated Vista and was glad to see it go!

"I got my Windows 7 Ultimate and absolutely love it! we installed it on my laptop and husband's 64 bit laptop" sunninjim... Are you saying you purchased one copy of W7U and installed it on multiple computers? I think TheBard is quite correct in saying you need a separate purchase for each computer/install. If you pass the 3 day mark with both installs, please let us know how it goes. Is this an upgrade, or a new install (~$200, or ~$300 per computer respectively) Glad to hear VII is going better than Vista SP-I ;-)

BTW, T.Bard, You skipped over my question of why you chose to compare Vista vs. W7 in this thread. Do you have some information that MS is going to continue to license Vista (and require that OEM's continue to install it and charge up/down grade fees?) Because if I were MS (not only would I be getting drunk on a Caribbean beach) but I would also be doing my best to forget all about Vista.

My observation about Vista vs. Windows 7 are my own, base on my experiences with the two OS's.  As an IP professional I wanted to put the information out there are anyone wondering if it might be worth making the leap from Vista to Windows 7. 

For the time being Dell is still offering up Windows Vista on some lower cost PC's.  Microsoft, it appear Is all too eager to rid of Vista; for the last three months or so they have been offering a free copy of Windows 7 to anyone who bought a PC with Windows Vista factory installed.  I have two copies coming my way.

Vincent   

PattyTherre said…

Thanks. That is what I thought. I know people who are giving out key codes (I have no idea where they are getting them.) but I will just do it the right way. I may be able to update one of my computers for less because I bought it during a certain time frame and they are giving discounts on Windows 7. I'm eager to see how it runs. My computer should get here late next week.

---

At Costco yesterday, they were selling a single upgrade for $110 and a package of three upgrades for $125. Yes... $125. And this was to upgrade from Vista to Windows 7 Home Premium. I really only need one upgrade, so it bugs me that the cost differential between one and three is so small. Maybe I can see if a neighbor is interested in one of the upgrades from the three-pack.

--Bob

Bob-

$125.00 for three, that is great price!  i might have to renew my Costsco membership!

Vincent

Is the free update only for computers bought during a certain time period? We wanted to upgrade my husband's new vaio, and best buy told us we had to go on the internet and have ms mail us a cd (it's free, but only for newer pc's) I thought maybe it could be done online, though I have never upgraded an os on a pc.

The vaio desktop w/vista is older and might not be a good candidate for upgrade. 

If they are going to stop issuing security patches and such for xp, would my whole network be at risk, or could my security software stop it? Nothing is on this laptop other than web browsers, old office, paint, and the other basic included stuff.

Too many computers with too many os's! what to do...

Pitch,

Yes, the free upgrade is good for new PC's only I'm afraid.  I think you still have time with Windows XP.  Your OS will contine to work for a time to come, worry not.  You can however upgrade from Vista to Windows 7.

Vincent  

I downloaded the window 7 trial period to experience and see it for myself rather than listening to anybody suggestions. I give my full respect to Microsoft for unlocking such great imagination for customer needs and wants for businesses, students, and for entertainment. Window 7 are made for a complete computer literate who understand the new technology. I believe that window vista was not a faillure, but yet was an introduction of a new and complete different dimension for software. The problem was when the first time that came out. There wasn't strong and intellectual computer build at that time. If you want to take a great processor for a date you must have the best ride prepared for it. In my own conclusion and experience If you want to run Vista or Window 7 you will need a better computer with higher capacity.  And the possibility are endless.