Windows 7: Advice about OS
Advice about OS
by nuentes - 2/26/09 7:55 PMI currently have XP... I am having troubles with it after giving my hardware some serious upgrades, and then doing an XP repair (problems with freezing, Media Center and Windows media player not working). So I am looking to make a change. Windows 7 sounds very cool, and I have not really heard anything bad about it. Should I:
1. Do a clean install of XP, then get Windows 7 on release date? or:
2. Upgrade to Vista, and upgrade to Windows 7 a little further down the road?
Thanks for any advice!
It is up to you...
by John.Wilkinson
- 2/27/09 8:52 AM
In reply to: Advice about OS by nuentes
However, for the respective options I will note:
1.) You cannot upgrade from Windows XP to Windows 7. A clean install is required. However, you can purchase a reduced-cost upgrade license to Windows 7 as an Windows XP owner.
2.) You can upgrade from Windows XP to Windows Vista and then from Windows Vista to Windows 7, eliminating the clean install. However, that would require two separate upgrade license purchases, doubling your cost.
So it comes down to which you value more: The time/effort or reinstalling everything or the cost of an extra upgrade license.
John
Thanks!
by nuentes - 3/2/09 8:20 AM In reply to: It is up to you... by John.Wilkinson
So the "reduced cost" copy you are talking about... is it equivalent to the difference between the $219 "upgrade copy" of Vista Ultimate, versus the $319 "Full Version" copy of the same software? As long as I can get by with getting the cheaper version of Windows 7, I will be happy. If I will not be able to get the "cheaper version" without upgrading to Vista, I will have to seriously consider that.
I am not worried about running a clean install. Once I upgrade to Windows 7, I am getting a brand new 10K rpm drive (or possibly a solid state drive) that will be dedicated to system files, and all my other installed programs. I am not sure of one thing, though: If I upgrade, does the HDD that I am installing the OS onto have to have the previous Windows installed on it? Or do I just need to have my user license? If the new HDD will need to have Windows installed on it, then I would probably just clone it first, and then upgrade.
So running a clean install does not worry me, since I already have all system files partitioned separately from my personal data. My only worry is that I will have to pay for the "full version" of the software.
Any guess on how much Windows 7 will cost? Vista came with 4 versions: Home Basic, Home Premium, Home Business, Ultimate. I would put myself in the "Home Premium" category.
Whoops...
by nuentes - 3/2/09 8:42 AM In reply to: Thanks! by nuentesI just read your post about the SKUs being released... so I now know that I would want Windows 7 Home Professional.
Im sure you dont know how much it will cost, but I am looking for possibly a guess. Would it be safe to guess it will be under $200 for Windows 7 Home Professional Upgrade Version?
And also, is there a way to download Windows 7 now? I know that Windows took it off their site. And would it work for only a limited time? I would want to pay when it becomes available, but it seems silly to pay to upgrade to Vista, if I can get some version of Windows 7 right now.
Answers...
by John.Wilkinson - 3/2/09 11:16 AM
In reply to: Whoops... by nuentes
"So the "reduced cost" copy you are talking about... is it equivalent to the difference between the $219 "upgrade copy" of Vista Ultimate, versus the $319 "Full Version" copy of the same software?"
-> Yes--the 'reduced cost' route I was referring to is the upgrade license instead of the 'full' license. The only difference is you must be upgrading from Windows XP or Windows Vista.
"If I upgrade, does the HDD that I am installing the OS onto have to have the previous Windows installed on it?"
-> No, but depending on their final installer implementation you may have to install Windows 7 twice if you are starting clean...one to install Windows 7 without a product key and then once to 'upgrade' that clean installation, using your product key. That is yet to be determined.
"Any guess on how much Windows 7 will cost? "
-> Expectations are that the prices will closely match those of Windows Vista. However, those who purchase Windows Vista after July 1st are expected to receive free upgrades to Windows 7.
"so I now know that I would want Windows 7 Home Professional."
-> There is no "Home Professional"...it is Home Premium versus Professional (equivalent to Windows Vista Business).
"Im sure you dont know how much it will cost, but I am looking for possibly a guess. Would it be safe to guess it will be under $200 for Windows 7 Home Professional Upgrade Version?"
-> I would estimate that Windows 7 Home Premium would be around $150 and Windows 7 Professional would be around $200. Potentially lower, but not higher.
"And also, is there a way to download Windows 7 now?"
-> No; the beta window has closed. With the RC being prepped for release to beta testers they are no longer distributing the beta. However, they may reopen the window for new RC testers. (No announcement of such plans, but they did it with Windows Vista.)
Hope this helps,
John
Why waste money on a "stepping stone"?
by sbill - 3/21/09 9:13 AM In reply to: It is up to you... by John.Wilkinson
If your ultimate goal is to put Windows 7 on your machine, why would you even THINK about paying $100 or more for a copy of Vista that you have no intention or desire to use? Wait until Windows 7 comes out, reformat the hard disk, and clean install it. Don't believe for one moment that MS will make you pay for Vista to qualify for the Windows 7 upgrade--people are avoiding Vista in droves, and MS wants these people back as customers for their new version!
Your options vary when it comes to cost.
by orlbuckeye - 3/11/09 12:20 PM In reply to: Advice about OS by nuentesI assume you have a license for XP so if you reinstall it and install all your apps then when Win 7 comes out you will have to do a clean install on Win 7 and install your apps again. If you buy Vista you will be able to upgrade but you are having issues so a clean install is better. A clean install of Vista would require you to reinstall your apps but you will be able to upgrade to the Win 7 when it comes out and won't have to reinstall apps. So you may not want to buy Vista and Win 7 so it may be a financially motivated decision. Another option may me re-install Xp on your current machine and purchase a new machine when the free upgrade to Win 7 program is started in July.
Reinstall your current OS
by john3347 - 3/21/09 10:51 AM In reply to: Advice about OS by nuentesIf you are having problems with your current XP installation and plan to move to Windows 7 when it is final and released to the public, you probably should consider reinstalling your current OS (after a back-up of course). I have a mix of XP, Vista, and Windows 7 beta computers on my home network. Vista gives me times more grief than even the beta version of Windows 7. Many of Vista's lingering problems appear to be corrected with 7. It will, however, be some several months before 7 is thrown to the public. Plus, you don't really want to be the "first in line" for a new OS product anyway. You already have the license to your current system, so it will be a no-cost installation (this will repair your current problems assuming that they are not hardware related). My recommendation is for you to reinstall your current installation and wait 6 months to a year months after Windows 7 introduction to upgrade. This is your number one option with "on release date" removed.
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